Page 103 of The Marriage Agreement (Agreement)

I go back in to check on her, put on my sweatpants and t-shirt, and return to the living room to call Bruce.

“Hello.”

“Where is Lily?”

“Booked at the police station, she’ll be spending the night.”

“She’s not leaving that jail cell ever. Find out her connection to Dr. Beiz and the man she called; there’s no way Lily did this alone. They are all going down.”

“Did Dele say anything?”

“Not a word. She has been crying since we found her. She’s asleep now. I can’t leave her.”

“How about Osei comes to stay with her with some bodyguards?”

“No, I want her to see me when she wakes up. No one else. She needs to see me.” Or I need to see her. Either way, we are staying together tonight.

“I already told Osei that we found her, and he’ll let your parents know that she’s safe.”

“Thank you.” I hang up and hear the door open. I get up fast and head towards our room. Dele is moving gingerly with her arms wrapped around her. I pull her into my arms.

“I can’t sleep. I have a headache,” she says as I pull away from her. Holding her hand, I lead her to the kitchen.

“Come on, let’s get you something for the headache,” I say.

“I’m pregnant,” she whispers. I stop in my stride and cup her face. I kiss her forehead. I’m thrilled at the news, but we can’t share the joy right now; my Dele is emotionally checked out.

“Are you sure?” She nods. “Did she hurt you?” I ask, hoping we won’t lose this pregnancy too.

“Someone knocked me from behind with something. I don’t know what object; it must have been Lily. She slapped and punched me in the face a few times.” My blood seethes, but I try to hide my stormy emotions from her.

“Let’s get you pain meds and have the doctor check on you.”

“Okay.” I go to the cabinet to get some Tylenol and prepare some food. I show her each marked bowl, and she shakes her head.

“You have to eat something. Should I order something?”

“Soup.” I nod and pick up my phone. I text Osei.

Me: Can you please order soup for Dele and have it delivered fast?

Osei: Sure, how is she doing?

Me: She can’t sleep, she has a headache.

Osei: I will see her in the morning. Bruce said she’s fine otherwise, right?

Me: Yes, she’s fine. Please order the soup for her.

Osei: Got it.

I turn to Dele; she’s gazing absentmindedly at the wall as if a horror show is playing. I can’t wrap my mind around how to get her back to her normal self. Lily did this, and there’s no way I’ll ever forgive her. She has crossed a Rubicon, and forgiveness is not an option.

I take Dele’s hand and lead her to the living room. She sits and wraps herself in a blanket. I sit next to her and hold her. I turn the TV on and find a comedy show. I do find one she likes, but Dele just stares at the screen, completely lost. My phone soon beeps with a notice from the front desk. I respond to the message to have the delivery come up.

When our doorbell rings, I go to answer and tip the delivery person. I return to the kitchen to grab a tray and spoon for her. I take the food to her, and she sits up. I watch her eat and take the pain meds I set out for her. Afterward, I return the tray once she’s done. She rests her head on my lap, and we continue to watch the comedy show. At some point, I hear her chuckle. Somehow, it breaks through my heart that she’s able to show that emotion, and it gives me hope she’ll return to herself again. We keep watching, and as she laughs more, she eventually falls asleep. I want to move her, but I fear waking her. So, I sit with her, asleep on my lap.

When I wake in the middle of the night, I’m covered, and she’s not next to me. I jump up and race to our bedroom. I find her sleeping in our bed, her hand under her pillow. She probably has a knife underneath it. I return to the kitchen to find that one of the knives is missing.

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