Chapter 21: Chapter 21

Decided

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Narrators pov

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"Over my dead body, Anthony. You won't take my daughter away from me." Elena's mum yelled, ever since she got wind of Anthony's decision she had cursed him nonstop and as usual, Elena did nothing to salvage the situation except for her father who tried to talk sense into his wife's head, but all was in vain.

"She is my wife too, mother," Anthony said calmly, the atmosphere in the room was electrified with anger and frustration. No one was listening to the other, the food on the table was left untouched, voices flew in every direction. Even though the air conditioning was on they were all perspiring as though they had run a marathon.

"Wife indeed, you call yourself a man and you are living with your wife's parents, you are a disgrace."

Elena gasped at her mother's word and her husband Mr. Badmus closed his eyes in shame, his wife had gone overboard again and this time he wondered about the irreparable damage she had caused with her choice of word.

"Thank you, mother." Anthony smiled at his mother-in-law, to the amazement of everyone in the room.

"What has gone into him." Elena wondered and Mrs. Badmus only sneered at him. However Elena's father understood perfectly what had just happened, his wife had given Anthony the leverage he needed to leave and he knew his son-in-law would not spend another night in their household and this time around he had his full support.

There was a limit to what any human can tolerate and Anthony has had his fair share, he only hoped that his daughter would stand in her rightful place as his wife and not walk in the part her mother was pushing her to.

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Anthony took a few of his things and left the house for his friend's apartment. He didn't want his parents to worry, though he had told them of his intentions to move his family to Liberia. His parents had given him their blessing, at last, their son would finally have a home with his wife and kids without interference.

Josh didn't ask questions when Anthony came over, he understood his friend's predicament without being told. He only prayed his friend would find the peace he sought.

Two days later Anthony went over to take his remaining belongings and inform Elena that they would leave for Liberia in a few days and he would be coming to get them the next day.

"I won't go with you, Anthony. Never!"

Anthony felt disappointed after everything Elena had still not learned. "I want us all to go together, but bear this in mind, I will go with or without you and my children will come with me. I will never allow your mum to train my children and make them not to have a mind of their own just like you."

"Are you saying I don't have a mind of my own?" Elena said her voice was shaking, she had been so stressed throughout the week and there were bags under her eye, she also had lost a few pounds though at the right places.

"Prove me wrong Elena, just this once," Anthony said and walked out

Slumping on the bed Elena cried.

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The next day

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"Have you made up your mind Elena?" Anthony stood watching her breastfeed their baby, it hurt him as he watched her. His mind was made up and his action would hurt his wife if she still refuses to go with him

"You can go alone Anthony, I and the twins are going nowhere," Elena replied, refusing to make eye contact.

"Okay, you can stay but my children would come with me."

Glancing up in surprise at her husband's words and the determination in his voice, Elena feared he might do what he said. But, for a second thought, she doubted him and remained defiant.

Anthony paced the room for a long time willing his wife to change her mind then he moved to the cabinet specially built for the twins' stuff, grabbing a bag from the rail he packed some clothes, diapers, and socks into the bag and picked up one of the twins.

"I will leave you with one, you keep one and I will keep the other. I only pray that you and your mum would train her right."

Alarmed Elena stopped feeding the child she was carrying, making her cry in hunger.

"You are joking right."

Anthony didn't answer but kept walking towards the door.

"Please don't do this, I will pack our things so we can all go together."

"I wish you had said this a few minutes ago, but it's too late now. There is a consequence for every action and this is your punishment."

"Please, don't separate the twins, don't separate me from my child."

"You caused the separation Elena, you and only you are to blame."

Elena screamed and called out for help but it seemed the universe was in support of Anthony as no one came out to help.

When Elena's parents came back from their meeting they met their daughter sprawled on the floor, her eyes swollen, the room in complete chaos. On the bed, only one twin slept as against the normal two.

"What happened dear, where is Emma."

"She is gone."

"What do you mean by gone, I saw her this morning."

"Anthony has left me, mother, and he took Emma with him. I am finished, I failed my husband and children." She wanted to cry but no tears came.