Goi said, her voice weak. He wouldn’t listen. and his mother. His mother called me names. They all blamed me. Amarka stood up. No, this has to stop. We’re going to the hospital tomorrow. Let them run all the tests. I need you to hear the truth from a doctor, not from that proud husband of yours. Goi didn’t argue. She was tired of guessing. Maybe, just maybe, she needed answers.

The next day, they went to Life Hope Medical Center. a quiet private hospital where a marker knew one of the doctors. “Dr. Uch, a soft-spoken man in his 40s, welcomed them into his office.” “How can I help you, Madame Goi?” he asked gently. Goi looked down. Amarka answered for her. She was married for 7 years. No child.

Her husband divorced her because he said she was barren, but she has never done any test. We want a full checkup. Dr. Uch nodded slowly. You did the right thing by coming here. We’ll run some tests, then we’ll talk. They spent the next few hours doing blood work, scans, hormone tests. Goi felt nervous the whole time.

What if Chike had been right? What if she really was the problem? 2 days later, the results were ready. Goi sat in front of the doctor, her hands sweating. Dr. Uche adjusted his glasses and smiled. Madame everything looks good. Your reproductive system is healthy. You’re ovulating well. Your hormone levels are normal. There is absolutely nothing wrong with you. blinked. Nothing. Nothing. The doctor repeated.

If there was no pregnancy for 7 years, I advise you ask your ex-husband to check himself. From what I see, you are completely fine. M Gozi covered her mouth as tears filled her eyes. I I don’t know what to say. A marker jumped from her seat. I knew it. I knew it. That man lied to you, Gozi. He blamed you just to cover his own shame. Goi felt her whole world spin.

So all this time, I wasn’t the problem. Dr. Uch smiled kindly. You were never the problem. And when you do find the right man, I believe you’ll have your own children. Don’t let what happened to you steal your peace. They thanked the doctor and left. Outside the hospital, Goi sat on a bench, her body shaking from the truth she had just heard.

All these years, she whispered, “I begged God. I cried every night. I hated myself. And I wasn’t the one. A marker sat beside her and held her hand. Chik will pay for what he did to you. I swear, N Goi, one day he will look at you and wish he never let you go. Goi looked up at the sky. Maybe this is the beginning of my healing. The next few weeks were different.

Goi started helping a marker with her tailoring business. She wasn’t smiling fully yet, but she was no longer lost. She began waking up early again, eating small meals, and even laughing sometimes. One evening she told Amaka, “I want to start something. Maybe a small food business. I’ve always loved cooking.” Amaka smiled wide. “Yes, that’s the spirit.

I’ll help you. Let’s make it happen.” They used a marker’s small verander to start a food stand. Every morning, Goi would cook rice, beans, my moy, and soup. By 7:00 a.m. workers from nearby offices were lining up to buy. People began to know her again. Not as the woman chike divorced, but as the woman who made the best jolof in the area.

One afternoon, a customer smiled at her and said, “Madam, you look different. There’s a glow on your face.” Goi smiled softly. Maybe I’m finally free. But even with the small happiness, there were nights when the pain returned. One night as she was folding aprons, she turned to a marker.

Do you think he ever loved me? Amarka looked at her and said slowly, “I think he loved himself more. That’s the only thing I’m sure of.” Goi nodded. “I just wish I didn’t waste so many years.” “You didn’t waste them,” Amarka said. “You grew. You became stronger. And one day, God will give you more than you lost.” N Goi didn’t reply, but deep inside something was changing.

A small fire had started. A quiet strength. One Sunday afternoon, a marker came home from church with news. Goi, guess what? Goi looked up from her pot of soup. What happened? I saw Chik’s cousin today. He told me Chchik is preparing to marry someone new. A flashy girl from Lagos. Go’s heart paused for a moment.

Oh, she said quietly. He’s even inviting some of your old friends to the wedding, Amaka added. He wants people to come and see what a real wife looks like. Goi looked away. He hasn’t changed at all. Amaka came closer. You know, he might even send you an invite just to mock you. Goi didn’t say anything.

She stirred her soup slowly. Then she whispered, “Let him do whatever he wants. I know who I am now.” But that night, as she lay on her bed, her hand rested on her belly. She stared at the ceiling for a long time, remembering what the doctor said. “You’re healthy.” She placed her other hand over her chest.