PAUL AND THE STRANGE WOMAN PART ONE

Paul was once the epitome of charisma, a man whose charm could win over anyone in their Lagos community. He had a smile that seemed to promise the world, a wit that made people laugh, and the undeniable talent of persuasion. But beneath that surface was a man who never fully appreciated what he had—a wife, Victoria, who stood by his side through thick and thin, and four children who adored him. Victoria, a woman of quiet strength and endless patience, had given everything to their marriage and family. She had endured Paul’s imperfections, his inconsistencies, and his constant flirtation with irresponsibility.

For nearly twenty years, Victoria, 40, had supported him as he pursued a series of failed business ventures. Their four children—Samuel, 16, Ada, 13, Emmanuel, 10, and Joy, 7—knew nothing of the struggle that constantly loomed over the family. Victoria had shielded them, taking on side jobs and sacrificing her own comfort so the children could attend good schools and have a better future. Paul’s income as a trader had never been enough to support the family, but Victoria’s quiet resilience filled the gaps.

Then came the day Paul came home, late as usual, his face clouded with something Victoria had never seen before—indifference. That night, he did not sit down for the dinner she had painstakingly prepared. Instead, he stood by the door, bags already packed. He did not offer her an explanation, only a brief statement that crushed her heart: “I’m leaving, Victoria. I’m moving in with Esther.”

The words hung in the air, sharp and unforgiving. Esther. The name meant nothing to Victoria, yet everything at the same time. Esther, she would soon learn, was a woman much younger than herself—just 30 years old, with three children from a previous relationship. Esther was bold, beautiful, and utterly self-assured, everything that Victoria no longer felt after years of sacrificing for her family. The news sent waves of gossip through their community. People whispered behind Victoria’s back, and even her own family could scarcely believe Paul would do such a thing.

But he did. Without hesitation, without apology, he walked out, leaving Victoria to pick up the shattered pieces of their life.

The days that followed were an agonizing blur for Victoria. The pain of betrayal sat like a heavy stone in her chest. She couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat, and worst of all, she couldn’t explain to her children why their father had abandoned them. Samuel, the eldest, was furious. He blamed his mother, unfairly accusing her of not being enough for their father. Ada, always a daddy’s girl, wept quietly in the corner of her room, clutching the teddy bear Paul had given her years ago. Emmanuel and Joy were confused, too young to grasp the depth of what had happened. They asked where their father had gone, and Victoria had no answer. How could she explain to her innocent children that the man who had once promised to love and protect them had chosen another family over them?

For months, Victoria struggled to keep the household running. She picked up more jobs—cleaning houses, selling food at the market, anything that could bring in enough money to feed her children. Samuel, despite his anger, stepped up, helping with whatever he could. But Victoria saw the toll Paul’s abandonment had taken on him. Samuel had always been a bright boy, with dreams of going to university and becoming an engineer. But after Paul left, he became distant, skipping classes, hanging out with boys from the neighborhood who weren’t a good influence. Ada, too, seemed to drift away, throwing herself into her studies as if burying herself in schoolwork could protect her from the pain of losing her father. Emmanuel and Joy were too young to truly understand, but they felt the change. Joy cried often, asking when her father would come home. Victoria had no answer for her.

Time passed slowly, each day feeling like a new test of Victoria’s strength. The community, while sympathetic, offered little help beyond words. Victoria’s family, though supportive, could not fill the void left by Paul. She was on her own, and she knew it. But through it all, she never let herself give up. She refused to let Paul’s betrayal destroy the future she had fought so hard to give her children.

And slowly, over the years, things began to change. Samuel, after a few rough years, found his footing. Inspired by his mother’s relentless determination, he returned to his studies with a newfound purpose. His hard work paid off, and he was awarded a scholarship to study abroad. It was the beginning of a new chapter for him, one where he could finally leave behind the anger and bitterness he had carried for so long.

Ada, always the focused one, graduated with honors and went on to study law. She became a lawyer, determined to fight for justice in a world that had been so unfair to her family. Emmanuel, inspired by his brother’s success, pursued a career in engineering, just like Samuel had once dreamed of. Even Joy, the youngest, grew into a confident young woman with dreams of becoming a doctor. The years of hardship had molded her into someone who understood the value of perseverance and hard work.

Through it all, Victoria remained their anchor. Though life had not been kind to her, she had never let her children feel the weight of her suffering. She had borne it all, knowing that one day, her sacrifices would pay off. And they did.