Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Now or Never

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Anthony's pov

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I feel trapped in the mansion and barely function as the supposed head of my family. My wife never backs me up, especially against her mum. who had found it pleasurable to go against my every decision?

Firstly it was where we would stay as a couple which I later agreed to her demands because of my children.

Then she wanted to change the names I and my wife had chosen for our twins to her own choice. I refused to bulge and vehemently refused even when my wife tried to blackmail me with her tears, I stood my ground. When that didn't work she threatened to back out of the naming ceremony and I told her I would oblige her; when she saw that her tantrums weren't working she relented and passed the needed information to her mother

Mrs. Badmus my mother in law didn't speak to me for weeks after that and I didn't mind at all. She had made life a living hell for me and my wife had enabled her too much.

Mother won't approve had become Elena's ring tone and this has brought too many arguments for us, at times I regret meeting and falling in love with her, it had done more harm than good.

My work has suffered greatly and I have become less productive even my boss has asked me on numerous occasions if there was a problem to which I always denied.

But now for my sanity and mental health I had to speak out. It was now or never no going back.

I related my troubles to my boss who listened without judging me, and when I was through I felt as if a yoke had been removed from my shoulders.

"You need a break away from your mother in law and I think I have the solution for your problem." My boss said to me.

Any solution was welcomed as long as I would have my wife and children with me.

"Am all ears," I replied leaning forward against the glass grey office desk, even with the cluster on the desk, I still had space to place my hand. My boss was a man with exquisite taste and it showed in the way his office was decorated, everything in his office was masculine without being domineering. And apart from him being my boss, I had always considered him a father because of his wealth of experience both in business and in life.

"There is a position that just opened for the past of a manager in our branch office at Liberia, if you are willing you can take up the post, you and your family can easily settle in. I know it's too much to take now so take your time and think about it but you have only one week from now or else we would give the job to someone else."

"I will let you know about my decision but I have to consult with my wife first." I knew Elena wouldn't agree to this but it was an opportunity for us to start afresh and it was just what we needed.

"No problem, take your time." We shook hands and as I was about to leave my boss invited me for a drink at a pub down the street.

Before the end of the day, I felt hopeful that my marriage could be saved.

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"I won't go with you Anthony," Elena said, her voice was so calm that I barely heard her.

"We need to build our own family, away from your parents.

"This is home Anthony, we have everything we need here." She dramatized flinging her arms wide in the air

"It isn't to me." I mustered. "Can't you see that I'm choking?

"Try and get along with my mother, she means well for us." Elena tried to cajole me, she touched my beard playfully, it had always drawn a smile from me but not today. I had to be firm or lose ground.

"You know your mother doesn't approve of me, she wouldn't mind getting you married to the man of her choice once I'm out of the picture."

"That's not true," Elena said and walked away, I watched her try to keep busy, a trait I've come to notice she did whenever she didn't want to face the truth.

My fears were confirmed by this, I had suspected this but never confirmed it till today. This gave me the resolve I needed, I would take the appointment and leave as soon as possible with my family.

"We are leaving next week Tuesday, get your things and that of the babies ready."

"How do I expect me to take care of the twins alone in a foreign land," Elena whined

"The company would provide us with all we need, I love you Elena please do this for me, for us." I saw her eyes change with what I thought was acceptance.

However, things took a different turn when Elena consulted our royal Majesty and chief decision-maker. Her mother Mrs. Vera Badmus.