PAUL AND THE STRANGE WOMAN PART TWO

Meanwhile, Paul’s life with Esther was far from the paradise he had imagined. At first, the relationship had been filled with excitement and passion. Esther was young, beautiful, and free-spirited, everything that Paul had thought he wanted after years of routine with Victoria. But as time went on, the cracks began to show. Esther, unlike Victoria, had little patience for Paul’s shortcomings. She was ambitious and materialistic, constantly demanding more than Paul could provide. The thrill of their relationship quickly faded, and Paul found himself longing for the stability and love he had once had with Victoria.

As the years passed, Esther became increasingly distant. Paul, now older and weary, could no longer keep up with her demands. She began seeing other men, wealthier men who could give her the life she wanted. Paul, once full of pride and arrogance, was now a shell of the man he used to be. The day finally came when Esther packed up her things and told Paul to leave. He was no longer useful to her.

With nowhere else to turn, Paul found himself wandering the streets of Lagos, his heart heavy with regret. He thought back to the family he had left behind—Victoria, Samuel, Ada, Emmanuel, and Joy. He hadn’t spoken to them in years, hadn’t even bothered to check on them. He had been so consumed with his new life that he had forgotten the people who had once meant everything to him.

It was 20 years after he had left Victoria when Paul made the decision to return. He had nothing left—no money, no home, no pride. All he had was the hope that his family might take him back, that they might find it in their hearts to forgive him.

The evening was cold and rainy when Paul stood outside the house he had once called home. It was a modest home, but far more than he had now. His heart pounded as he knocked on the door, each second feeling like an eternity. When the door opened, Paul found himself face to face with Victoria. She was older now, her once-youthful face lined with the struggles of the years. But there was still a softness in her eyes, a quiet strength that had never left her.

“Victoria,” Paul whispered, his voice hoarse. “I’m… I’m so sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking all those years ago. Please… I need your forgiveness.”

Victoria stared at him, her face unreadable. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Paul could feel the weight of his sins pressing down on him, suffocating him. He expected her to slam the door in his face, to tell him to leave and never come back.

But she didn’t.

“Come inside,” she said softly.

Paul stepped into the house, feeling the warmth of a home he hadn’t known for two decades. Inside, he saw his children—now grown—gathered around. Samuel, Ada, Emmanuel, and Joy all looked at him, their faces filled with a mixture of shock, anger, and disbelief.

“Why are you here?” Samuel demanded, his voice tight with years of suppressed rage.

“I have nowhere else to go,” Paul admitted, his voice breaking. “I was wrong. I know that now. I left you all, and I can never undo that. But… please, give me a chance to make things right. I want to be part of this family again.”

The room was silent. Victoria looked at her children, then back at Paul.

“I’ve forgiven you, Paul,” she said finally. “Not for you, but for me. Holding on to that hate would have destroyed me. But forgiveness doesn’t mean you’re welcome back just like that. You hurt us. You hurt our children. You’ll have to earn their forgiveness.”

Paul nodded, tears streaming down his face. He knew the road ahead would be long and difficult, but for the first time in years, he felt a glimmer of hope.