THE GENERAL’S WIFE
Episode 3
Teni sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the pregnancy test in her trembling hands. The two bold lines on the stick mocked her, reminding her of the betrayal she had committed.
She was pregnant.
And the father was not her husband.
A lump formed in her throat as she looked at Richard, who stood frozen in the middle of the room. He ran a hand through his short hair, his jaw tightening.
“This… this is real?” he finally asked.
Teni nodded, unable to speak.
Richard exhaled sharply and sat beside her. “Teni, listen to me. We need to think. We need to be smart about this.”
Teni turned to him with wide, fearful eyes. “Smart? Richard, do you understand what this means? Kola is coming back soon!”
“I know,” Richard said, rubbing his face. “But we have options.”
Teni let out a humorless laugh. “Options? What options, Richard? Should I lie to Kola and say it’s his? Should I disappear before he returns? Or should I just come clean and destroy my marriage?”
Richard took her hands. “Teni, I love you. We’ll figure this out together.”
Teni pulled her hands away, shaking her head. “No. This is my mess, Richard. I need to fix it before it’s too late.”
Her mind was racing. She had to think fast. But no matter which way she turned, there was only one truth—sooner or later, Kola would find out.
And when he did, nothing would ever be the same again.
Two weeks later, Teni received a message that made her heart stop.
“My love, the mission is complete. I’ll be home in two days.”
The words sent a wave of panic through her.
Kola was coming home.
For the past weeks, she had hidden her pregnancy, wearing loose clothes and avoiding people. But soon, Kola would be right in front of her, looking at her, touching her, holding her.
Would he notice?
Would he sense that something was wrong?
Teni felt her stomach twist as she placed a hand over her belly. It was still early, but she knew that in a few months, her secret would be impossible to hide.
She had to make a decision.
And fast.
The night before Kola’s return, Richard came over. His face was tense, his shoulders stiff.
“We need to talk,” he said as soon as he stepped inside.
Teni swallowed. “Richard, I can’t—”
“I’m leaving.”
Teni blinked. “What?”
Richard sighed and sat down. “I’ve thought about it, Teni. If I stay, I’ll just make things worse. Kola will sense something. And if he finds out… I don’t even want to imagine what he’ll do.”
Teni wrapped her arms around herself. “So, you’re running away?”
“I’m giving you space to figure this out,” Richard corrected. “But if you need me, I’m just a call away.”
Teni sat beside him, staring at her hands. “Richard, I don’t know how to fix this.”
Richard reached for her hand. “Maybe the best thing is to… tell him the truth.”
Teni’s heart pounded. “No. I can’t. He’ll never forgive me.”
Richard sighed. “Then what’s your plan?”
Teni closed her eyes, feeling tears gather. “I don’t know.”
But deep down, she knew one thing—tomorrow, when Kola walked through that door, she would have to face the consequences of her choices.
And there was no way to prepare for that.
The next evening, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway sent Teni into a panic.
He was here.
She quickly wiped her hands on her dress, trying to steady her breathing. The front door opened, and there he was—General Kola Adeyemi, standing tall in his uniform, his face strong and proud.
“Teni,” he breathed, dropping his bag.
Teni rushed forward, wrapping her arms around him. “Kola,” she whispered, tears spilling.
Kola held her tightly, inhaling her scent. “I missed you, my love.”
“I missed you too,” Teni said, guilt crushing her chest.
He pulled back and cupped her face. “Are you okay? You look… different.”
Teni’s stomach tightened. “I-I’m just emotional. I was so scared for you.”
Kola smiled and kissed her forehead. “I’m here now. And I’m never leaving you again.”
Teni forced a smile, but her mind was screaming.
She had survived the first few minutes.
But how long before the truth destroyed everything?
Because what she didn’t know was that Kola had his own secret.
And when it came out…
It would shake her world in a way she never expected.
TO BE CONTINUED…