(That which you seek, you shall find in abundance)
All the workers in Solomon’s mansion were overjoyed that their madam was returning. They stood outside, waiting eagerly for her car to drive in. They had all missed Winnie—she was kind to them and had never once complained about their work. That was why they always felt deeply saddened whenever Oga Solomon raised his hand against his faithful and submissive wife.
As soon as Winnie’s car drove in, the staff—including the housekeeper, cook, cleaner, gardener, driver, and gateman—rushed toward it, eager to welcome her. They could hardly wait for the car to stop before opening the door for her.
Winnie smiled warmly at them as she stepped out. “I trust you’ve all been good?”
“Welcome, ma’am! We really missed you,” they chorused.
“I really hope you won’t have to be hospitalized again,” the housekeeper said with concern.
Winnie chuckled lightly. “Don’t worry, Aunty. This is the last time I’ll be stepping foot in a hospital because the next person to go won’t be me.”
They all stared at her in surprise. There was something different about her—something in her tone and demeanor that made it seem like she truly meant her words.
Noticing their stunned expressions, Winnie laughed it off. “What I mean is, the one who will give birth to the child that stays is here, so I won’t need to go to the hospital again, right?”
She laughed, but none of them joined her.
“Ayy, what’s up with the serious expressions? I was just joking based on what Chioma here told me.”
Hearing her words, they all laughed awkwardly while shooting Chioma a glare for running her mouth again.
“Anyway, ma’am, we’re really happy you’re back,” the cook said, stepping forward to carry Winnie’s bag while the gardener picked up the second one.
“Thank you all for welcoming me. It’s really good to be home,” Winnie replied as she began walking inside, the housekeeper and her daughter accompanying her.
When they stepped into the magnificent sitting room, Mama and Anita were seated on the sofa, their eyes fixed on the television as they munched on snacks and sipped juice.
Winnie saw them but said nothing. She was about to quietly walk past them to her room when Anita’s voice stopped her. Written by Authoress Winnie. B. Onuh.
“You’re finally back. I know you might be old, but Mama is still older than you, so shouldn’t you at least show some respect and greet her?”
Winnie paused, tilting her head slightly as she turned to face Anita. That was when she noticed her belongings on Anita’s body—her jewelry and some house clothes Solomon had bought for her but that she hadn’t worn yet.
Mama let out a short laugh, her eyes narrowing into a glare. “And here I was wondering where all the servants had gone. I should have known they were off welcoming the witch—the woman whose uterus can’t hold a baby.” She scoffed. “I don’t need your greetings. Do you hear me? If you know what’s good for you, you’ll pack your things and leave my son’s house. My son can’t live with a man like you. I’ve already found him a real woman—one who can bear children.”
Winnie remained unfazed. Instead, she asked casually, “And what happens if this woman can’t conceive either? Will you find another wife for him, or will you take her to a prayer house?”
Her words made Mama and Anita’s expressions darken, while a few of the servants chuckled softly.
“You old witch! Are you trying to curse me?!” Anita snapped, her voice laced with fury. She turned to Mama, fuming. “Mama, did you hear what she just said?”
“It’s a shame, though—I can’t curse someone who’s already cursed. And speaking of curses…” Winnie muttered, stepping closer to Anita, her eyes scanning the jewelry and clothes on her.
“Why are you wearing my things? I don’t remember giving them to you. They’re still valuable to me. Take them off. Now,” she commanded, her tone ice-cold, her expression chilling.
Anita swallowed hard, a flicker of fear creeping into her heart, but she quickly composed herself. After all, what was the worst Winnie could do? Mama was here to back her up.
“These clothes and jewelry are mine now. My husband bought them, so they rightfully belong to me,” she replied boldly.
Winnie let out a short, humorless laugh—but it was brief and carried a hint of strain.
“Anita is right, Winnie. You don’t own anything in this house! My son bought everything,” Mama interjected, standing up in support.
Winnie cast a sidelong glance at her before returning her gaze to Anita. “Didn’t you hear me? Take off my belongings.”
“And if I refuse? What will you do?” Anita challenged stubbornly. Written by Authoress Winnie. B. Onuh.
In an instant, Winnie raised her hand as if to strike her. Anita flung herself onto the sofa, screaming in fear—but Winnie’s hand never touched her. It hovered in the air before she bent down, bringing her lips close to Anita’s ear.
“I can do a whole lot of things to you, girl. Even my own children weren’t spared, so what makes you think I’d spare you if you cross my path again?” she whispered, a mysterious smile playing on her lips. She straightened slightly and continued, “I don’t mind sharing my husband with you—he no longer holds any value to me. But next time you touch my belongings without my permission… I will personally destroy you.” Written by Mhiz Winnie Onuh.
Her voice was eerily calm, sending a chill through the room.
“You have five minutes to bring my things to my room—I mean the guest room, where you dumped them,” she finished before straightening up.
Chioma leaned in close to her mother, whispering excitedly, “Did you notice that Ma’am Winnie has changed? It feels like someone else is occupying her soul.”
The elderly woman watched Winnie with a deep, complicated expression. She felt it too—Winnie was no longer the woman she once was. But could anyone blame her? Written by Authoress Winnie. Onuh.
The young woman had done everything to please her husband, yet he beat her at every opportunity. She had lost three pregnancies in two years, and even while she was recovering in the hospital, her husband had been busy with another woman. Written by authoress Winnie. Onuh.
Who wouldn’t change after going through such an ordeal?
She was amazed that Winnie was still standing—that she hadn’t fallen into depression like most people would.
“Let’s go, Aunty,” Winnie said, gently tapping the housekeeper to bring her out of her thoughts.
“After you, ma’am,” the housekeeper replied with a smile, then followed Winnie out.
“She’s insane! Mama, that woman is truly insane! She’s no longer human,” Anita whispered in a trembling voice once she was certain Winnie was out of sight.
Mama raised a brow at her in confusion. “What did she whisper to you that made you tremble so much?”
Anita shook her head vehemently, her body still recovering from the chill that Winnie’s warning had sent through her. Written by Authoress Winnie. B. Onuh.
“Mama, I’m telling you, that woman is a witch! Who makes a threat using their dead children? She needs to leave this house!” she said frantically before rushing upstairs to remove the clothes. Winnie’s words kept echoing in her mind, and the more she replayed them, the more goosebumps she got.
That evening, when Solomon returned home, he went straight to the guest room to see his wife. The doctor had called him earlier to inform him that she had been discharged.
He knocked once and stepped inside, only to find Winnie sitting on the bed, reading a book. He paused at the doorway, watching her for a moment.
Her face was bare yet effortlessly beautiful. She had done something with her hair—it no longer looked unkempt but was now neatly styled in a simple updo. She wore casual attire: a pair of bum shorts and a singlet.
His gaze drifted down to her smooth, fresh thighs. He was practically lost, mesmerized as he stared at her.
Noticing her husband’s intense gaze on her, Winnie snorted softly and spoke without looking up.
“You’re really unbelievable, Solomon.”
He chuckled and stepped closer. “I can’t help it. You’re still my wife.”
“Oh? Am I now?” Winnie closed her book and finally lifted her gaze to the man she had once fallen in love with—the same man who had taken her three children and nearly taken her life as well.
“Come on, baby. You know I didn’t visit you in the hospital because I thought you needed time to yourself.”
Winnie nodded. “You did well. So… how was your honeymoon?”
At her words, Solomon’s expression shifted slightly. He moved as if to sit beside her on the bed, but the moment he saw the cold glare in her eyes, he changed his mind and settled on the cushion instead.
“I was wrong, babe,” he admitted. “Just tell me what you want me to do for you, and I’ll do it.”
“Anything?” Winnie asked, tilting her head slightly.
He nodded eagerly. “Yes, baby. Anything. Just name it, and I’ll give it to you immediately.”
Winnie’s eyes darkened as she leaned forward slightly. “Then… would you give me back my babies?” she asked calmly, watching his face closely.
“Uhm…” Solomon was suddenly at a loss for words. Guilt washed over him, and he cleared his throat, struggling to find something—anything—to say. But no words came.
“You can’t?” Winnie chuckled lightly, then added, “Then how about your life?” Written by Authoress Winnie. B.
Solomon: “…”
He blinked rapidly, his mind scrambling to catch up. Suddenly, fear crept into his chest. He lifted his eyes to meet his wife’s, and in that moment, he found her gaze unnervingly unsettling. The air around him grew hot and suffocating.
“You can’t?”
“Uhm… I…” Solomon stammered, his words failing him.
“Then get out of this room this instant!” Winnie growled, her voice laced with an authority that sent a chill down his spine.
Terrified, Solomon bolted out of the room. It wasn’t until he reached the safety of his own room that he realized just how far he had run.
“Winnie has gone insane…” The words escaped him in a breathless whisper. But what he didn’t know was that this was only the beginning.
To be continue….
