Adesola Jimi's POV
On Valentine's Day, Adesola Jimi lost her long-standing fight for survival at the age of 31. The hospital room at Olufunmilayo Clinic in Lagos City had a powerful disinfectant smell as Adesola Jimi rested there.
She told herself to stay calm as the doctor inserted the dialysis needle, which hurt her. Her physical strength had faded away to leave only a hollow version of her former self. She tried to reach him through multiple text messages but received no reply.
She moved her head to look at her phone, but her eyelids remained almost closed. The IV lines entered her bloodstream through her veins. Her pale face and sunken eyes showed how sick she had become while her body turned into bones and skin. Cancer weakened her body until she became too ill to move. The nurse had not come to see her for fourteen days because she said no more medical care was necessary.
After enduring pain for so long, Adesola had developed the ability to handle it. Her love for Tolu remained the single force that kept her alive through all those years. Our love now feels distant to me. Her body weakened to the point where every breath caused her pain.
Adesola turned off her phone and waited patiently for the end to come. The pain made her eyes go blurry as memories of her life before the illness filled her mind. She dedicated eight years of her life to Tolu while giving him her complete love. Despite her efforts, she ended up with nothing. Each person in her life left her behind, including Tolu and her family.
She wondered if Tolu would find peace when she died. His life would return to normal when she died because he would no longer need to care for her. He would gain the freedom to live with Chiamaka Obi as his wife at last.
The painful memories of that night eight months ago returned to her mind. It was Tolu’s birthday. Adesola spent the night awake because she wanted to see him return home. The meal she cooked remained warm on the table because Tolu did not return home until two in the morning. His assistant showed up with a divorce document instead of Tolu.
The assistant spoke softly when he told me, "Mr. Ileri had no other option." The company Ileri Holdings demands a successor to continue its operations.
Adesola forced a pale smile. She recalled when she was pregnant with Tolu's child, but a stillbirth made her unable to conceive again.
At thirty-three, Tolu required an heir to continue his business legacy. He wanted to end their marriage because he needed someone who could give him children.
Adesola ended the call with her assistant and nervously placed a call to Tolu. She required him to tell her directly. The phone connected, but Tolu's voice was not on the other end. Chiamaka spoke to me in her gentle and pleasant tone. The pain in Adesola's heart started to intensify at that moment.
Adesola ended the phone call and burst into laughter. Her laughter mixed with her tears as she heard her own voice reverberate throughout the room.
Tolu managed Ileri Holdings, which his father passed to him before dying. During his first five years as CEO, Tolu built Ileri Holdings into a major business enterprise in Lagos City. Through his relationships with organized crime and government officials, Tolu built a powerful position in the city within a few years. His captivating personality drew everyone to him, and Chiamaka had been his closest companion for the longest time.
Chiamaka started working for Tolu's company directly after completing her education from an ordinary family background. His admiration for her abilities and work habits deepened their relationship daily.
The relationship between Tolu and Chiamaka felt meant to be since they seemed perfectly suited for each other.
Adesola's presence delayed Tolu and Chiamaka's relationship, which could have started earlier and prevented their years of secret feelings.
The evidence proved that Adesola married Tolu without genuine love. The marriage lacked love from the beginning, and Adesola had to confront this reality alone.
She agreed to the divorce settlement and had to move away from Lagos City permanently. Tolu needs her permission to come back to Lagos City. The doctor confirmed her cancer had progressed to an advanced stage only one week after her diagnosis.
And now, here she was. The colorful fireworks display at night signaled the end of her suffering as she watched from her hospital room window.
Adesola blinked her weary eyes and turned to look at the window. Her body stopped moving as her heart raced against her ribcage. The massive LED screen displayed Tolu standing strong in his black suit.
He carried a small boy who was around five or six years old. He held Chiamaka close as she smiled at the cameras while his other arm supported the young boy. The boy matched Tolu's appearance exactly.
Mr. Ileri, please confirm that the boy on screen is your child with Ms. Obi," a reporter asked.
Ms. Obi, your appearance today is extraordinary. You have patiently waited for Mr. Ileri to make you his wife. When is the wedding date?
Chiamaka turned to Tolu with her radiant smile, showing off the diamond ring on her finger. Starting today, you should address me as Mrs. Ileri. She announced their marriage status.
Adesola's eyes shut as tears flowed from her eyes. She repeated her own name to herself and thought, "I should have never done this." If only I hadn’t loved you. If I could start over... I would never let myself love you the same way again.
The strong Harmattan winds blew outside while fireworks kept lighting up the night sky. The fireworks shone their bright beams onto Adesola's face, making her tears dance with their light.
As Tolu and Chiamaka married on their wedding day, Adesola's life force started to disappear. She departed this life with a broken heart but found peace in her soul.