EPISODE: 2

• He said he’s looking for a simple, obedient girl. “I told him I have the perfect useless one right here.” “Ma, please. I don’t want to get married yet. I’m only 19.” Angela’s smile vanished. She grabbed Vanessa’s chin and jerked her face up. “And who do you think you are to decide anything in this house? You live under my roof, eat my food, wear my charity.
• Now I have found a man foolish enough to take you and you’re saying no. Tears welled in Vanessa’s eyes. I want to go to school. Angela slapped her so hard the bowl in Vanessa’s hand tumbled. School? What school? Do you think I’ll waste my money sending you anywhere when I have daughters of my own to care for? Vanessa held her cheek too stunned to crafty.
• You’ll marry that blind man tomorrow. Angela said, her voice cold. Whether you like it or not, that way you’ll stop being my burden.” She turned and walked off, her slippers slapping the ground behind her. Vanessa sank to the floor, her shoulders shaking. The tears came like rain, bitter, hot, endless. She whispered to herself, “Is this how my life ends?” But life had a surprise waiting, a twist even pain couldn’t predict.
• The next morning arrived with thick clouds and silence. For the first time in years, Vanessa wished the day would never begin. She sat on the edge of her thin mattress, holding the frayed hem of her only decent gown, a dull blue dress with loose seams and a faded neckline. Her hands trembled as she struggled to fix the broken zipper at the back.
• “Vanessa!” Angela’s voice thundered from the corridor. “He’s here.” Vanessa froze, her breath caught in her throat. “The blind man.” Her heart pounded against her ribs. Her chest felt tight. She wanted to scream, to run, to vanish into the ground. But she stood up quietly, wiped her tears, and stepped outside because disobedience was not an option in Angela’s house.
• When she stepped into the compound, she saw him. He stood tall, dressed in a neatly pressed CF tan and dark sunglasses. He held a white cane in one hand, gently tapping it against the tiled floor. A man in a black suit stood beside him, his driver or assistant perhaps guiding him. His expression was unreadable, calm, poised, and completely still.
• Angela beamed as she rushed forward. “Amecha, welcome. Welcome. This is the girl I told you about. She’s hardworking, quiet, and very obedient.” Vanessa looked up at him. Amecha’s face was youthful, no older than 30. He didn’t smile. He only nodded, then turned his head slightly in her direction. “So, this is Vanessa?” he asked. His voice was deep and steady.

EPISODE: 3

• Not frail, not broken, just firm. Vanessa bowed her head. “Yes, sir. I know this is sudden,” he said softly. “But I have my reasons. I’m not looking for beauty or status. I just want a companion who won’t see my blindness as a weakness.” Angela laughed. “Oh, she’s perfect for that. She doesn’t even have a life.
• She’ll have time for all your needs. Vanessa’s hands balled into fists. Her body felt hot with silent humiliation, but she stayed quiet. “Do you have any questions for me, Vanessa?” Emecha asked. She looked up. His face was turned toward her, though his eyes were hidden behind the dark glasses. Her lips parted. “Why? Why me?” Angela shoved her forward.
• “What does it matter? The man is asking for your hand.” Vanessa steadied herself. Please, Ma, let me speak. Angela narrowed her eyes. Vanessa turned back to Amecha. I I don’t know you. I’m not ready for marriage. I want to go to school. I don’t want to be forced into something I didn’t choose. There was a pause. Mecha didn’t speak, but the man beside him whispered something in his ear.
• Angela’s face twisted. You ungrateful girl. Do you think good men grow on trees? Look at yourself. No mother, no father, no money, nothing. You’re lucky anyone even wants you. Ma, please, Vanessa whispered, her voice cracking. Angela slapped her. You will marry him. End of discussion. The assistant handed Angela a white envelope.
• She opened it and her eyes lit up, thick wads of cash. Her face instantly softened. Let’s begin the preparations. The marriage will happen tomorrow. Vanessa stood rooted to the ground. The world around her spun. Everything felt surreal. A blind stranger, a forced wedding, a stepmother who just sold her like a commodity. That night, Vanessa didn’t sleep.
• She sat by the small window in her room, staring at the stars. Her heart was heavy. Was this her fate? A life of caretaking and silence? A future locked in darkness with a man she didn’t know? Yet, deep in her soul, a strange peace began to stir. She didn’t know why, but something about a Mecha felt different.
• He hadn’t mocked her. He hadn’t touched her. He hadn’t even smiled. Yet, his silence was not cruel. It was quiet, watchful, almost knowing. The next morning, in a rushed and joyless ceremony held under Angela’s leaking zinc roof, Vanessa became a Mecca’s wife. No music, no friends, just a stepmother counting money in the corner and neighbors whispering behind folded arms.
• When Vanessa stepped into the black jeep that would carry her to a strange new life, she didn’t cry. She only looked back once at the house that gave her scars but no love. Then she faced forward and unknowingly drove toward destiny. The car drove in silence for the first 10 minutes. Vanessa sat stiffly in the back seat beside Mecha, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

EPISODE: 4

• The new wedding ring on her finger feeling more like a chain than a symbol of love. Immea’s assistant, Oena, sat at the front, occasionally glancing at them through the rear view mirror. The car was spotless, the leather seats cool and scented. Everything felt expensive, too expensive for a man Angela claimed was poor and blind.
• Vanessa couldn’t help but notice the luxury of the vehicle. The glowing screen on the dashboard, the gentle hum of the air conditioner, the smoothness of the ride. This didn’t feel like the car of a blind, struggling man. “Where are we going?” she asked quietly. Aa turned his head toward her, the dark glasses still covering his eyes.
• “Home,” he said simply. Vanessa swallowed. “Where is home?” “You’ll see soon enough,” he replied, his voice calm. But there was something behind his words. a quiet mystery. The car exited the busy streets and turned toward a secluded road lined with tall trees and modern street lights. The area changed. No more noise.
• No potholes, no roadside vendors yelling, “Pure water or gala.” She peered out the window, confused. The houses became grander. White fenced compounds, security gates, landscaped gardens. These were mansions. Some had fountains. Others had long driveways and swimming pools. This was where the rich lived. Something didn’t add up. “Are we dropping someone off?” she asked cautiously. “No,” Amecha said.
• “This is our destination.” Then the car made a final turn and stopped before a towering black and gold gate far larger than any she’d ever seen. On the gate were large initials carved in metal. Em. Vanessa’s breath hitched. Her heart began to pound. A security man approached, typed a code, and the gate slowly opened.
• What lay beyond made her mouth fall open. The estate was massive. Sprawling lawns on either side, a fountain with marble lion heads spitting water, exotic flowers lined up like royalty welcoming a queen. At the end of the long paved driveway stood a mansion that looked like something from a dream.
• It had pillars, balconies, and windows so wide she could see the curtains fluttering from outside. She turned to Amecha, stunned. “I thought you said you were blind.” He smiled slightly, but gave no answer. The car rolled forward until it stopped directly in front of the entrance. Two uniform guards opened the doors.
• Another man rushed forward and opened Vanessa’s side. As she stepped out, her dusty sandals touched clean tiled ground. Her head spun. A woman in an apron came out from the mansion, curtsied, and said, “Welcome, madam.” “Madam,” Vanessa whispered. They entered through the large double doors into a living room that could rival a five-star hotel.

EPISODE: 5

• Crystal chandeliers, velvet couches, glass tables, a spiral staircase. There were paintings on the walls, real ones, not prints. A scent of vanilla and lavender filled the air. She stood in the middle, frozen. Her legs shook. “Is this your house?” she asked, her voice trembling. Amecha reached for his sunglasses and slowly removed them.
• For the first time, Vanessa saw his eyes, bright brown, clear, focused, seeing. He smiled. “Yes,” he said. “I’m not blind.” Vanessa’s knees buckled. She stumbled backward into a chair, gasping. “You You can see?” “I can see very well,” he said. “And yes, this is my home. I I don’t understand.
• I walked toward her, calm and steady. I pretended to be blind to test hearts. In a world full of people who love wealth more than people, I needed to know who would still treat me with decency. If they thought I had nothing. Tears spilled from Vanessa’s eyes. Then why me? You never smiled at me. You never flattered me.
• You didn’t fake kindness. You simply looked at and honest and still agreed to come with me. Even in your brokenness, you had dignity. That told me everything. Vanessa covered her face overwhelmed. This wasn’t a nightmare. It was a miracle. You’re not just a husband, she whispered. You’re a billionaire. A Mecca Maduca, he said, offering his hand.
• Owner of Muka Holdings. But here, I’m simply your husband, and you are my blessing.” Vanessa took his hand, still trembling. For the first time in years, someone saw her. Truly saw her. Not as a burden, not as a mistake, but as a woman worthy of love. 3 days had passed since the wedding, and Angela was still celebrating.
• She sipped malt in her plastic chair beneath the mango tree and bragged to every neighbor who passed by. “At least I’ve done my part. That blind man will humble her. All her secret dreams of going to school. Finished. Her daughters Cindy and Ella painted their nails beside her, laughing. “Mommy, can you imagine Vanessa feeding him, cleaning his poop, and bathing him?” Cindy giggled.
• “She deserves it,” Ella added, blowing on her nails, always pretending to be decent. Angela smiled wickedly. “Let her suffer small. I could have kicked her out long ago, but I let her stay. Now she’s married off and out of my life. Thank God. Just then, a sleek black Mercedes-Benz slowly pulled up in front of the gate. Everyone paused.
• It wasn’t the kind of car that ever entered their neighborhood. The door opened and a sharply dressed man in a black suit stepped out. He carried a gold-m envelope and walked directly toward Angela. “Good afternoon, madam,” he said with a slight bow. Special delivery from Mr. and Mrs. Maduka. Angela blinked. Meduka? Who is that? Your daughter and her husband.
• He replied. Vanessa and Chief of Mecca. Maduka. Angela stood up confused. Wait, Chief. He handed her the envelope and walked away without another word. The Mercedes hummed to life and glided off down the dusty road. Angela opened the envelope and the world around her stopped. Inside was a glossy invitation card, thick and luxurious.
• Written in gold lettering were the words, “You are cordurally invited to the housewarming dinner at Muka Estate, hosted by Chief Emecha Meduka and his beloved wife, Vanessa Maduca.” Below that was a photo, Angela gasped. It was Vanessa, not in rags, not barefoot, but in a floorlength emerald gown with diamonds around her neck.
• She stood beside a Mecca who was no longer in sunglasses. His eyes were open and seeing. Another photo showed the estate entrance, the EM gate. A third showed Vanessa laughing, radiant on a marble balcony overlooking a fountain. Angela’s hands trembled. Her mouth moved, but no words came out. Her neighbors crowded around. Madam, what’s inside? Angela tried to hide the photo, but it was too late.