06/01/2026
HOLY LIES
Chapter Nine:
My husband finally accepted the pregnancy. He had no other option. The baby would arrive whether he approved or not. So he stopped fighting and simply moved forward.
My stomach grew bigger each week. The children noticed and asked silly questions.
"When will the baby come out?"
"Can it hear me singing?"
"Will it play with us?"
I laughed and gave them answers. Victor rested his head on my belly, listening for sounds. Stella kissed my stomach every night and wished the baby sweet dreams. Their excitement warmed me. They lived in innocence, unaware of any secrets.
Relatives and friends celebrated with me. Phone calls poured in with congratulations. Everyone believed God had blessed our home. Nobody knew the true source of this blessing.
I tried to make Raphael connect with the unborn child. I grabbed his hand and pressed it against my belly. "Feel this movement," I said.
He nodded but said nothing. His quietness spoke louder than words.
When I wanted s*x, he agreed but showed no excitement. He did it fast, then turned his back to me. No love. No softness. Just doing what he had to do. I kept pretending. I moaned and told him he was good. He believed all my lies.
Inside, emptiness filled me. Two men shared my body, yet loneliness filled my heart.
Throughout those months, I visited Prophet Timothy often. He was very proud. He rubbed my stomach and talked to the baby. He offered prayers and promises. even suggesting names
"Emmanuel will be great," he said. "Doors will open because of him."
Timothy formed a stronger bond with the baby than Raphael ever did. Sometimes we made love even with my growing belly. He moved gently and slowly. He knew exactly how to please me. But something felt missing. My body felt good, but my heart was far away.
Timothy gave me everything he promised.
The car came through a clever plan. One Sunday, Prophet Timothy told the church that God asked him to give my family a car. He said my hard work in church earned this reward.
Everyone clapped for him. My husband cried and knelt down to thank God. He praised both God and the prophet in front of everyone.
Only I knew the truth. That car was for his own children. So they would not have to take public buses to school.
The silver SUV came weeks later. It was big and beautiful. Perfect for my growing family. Raphael drove it everywhere with pride. He did not know that every mile cost me my dignity.
The weekly money never stopped. Every Monday morning, cash appeared in my bank account. My husband thought my business made that money. He never asked where it really came from.
Labor started at midnight. Pain tore through my body and woke me up fast. I screamed. Raphael rushed me to the hospital. Every bump on the road hurt me badly.
The birth was hard but in the end, it was okay. Another son. Strong. Crying. Perfect.
A nurse put him in my arms. Looking at his face, I saw Timothy's features. His nose. His mouth. His skin color. But no one else noticed. Everyone was too happy to see clearly.
Raphael came into the room and smiled wide. Real happiness on his face for the first time in many months.
"He looks like his mother," Raphael said softly.
I held back my tears.
Our community celebrated a lot. Church members gave money and gifts. They prayed for our family. They said God was blessing us.
Raphael later talked about our family size. "No more children, Joyce," he said firmly. "Go back to family planning now. No mistakes this time."
I agreed quickly. "I promise. I will go to the clinic next week."
He believed my words. He always believed my words.
Baby dedication day came. Our church was full of people. My family sat in the front row. Raphael held Emmanuel proudly. He had no idea about anything.
Prophet Timothy walked to the altar and took the baby from my husband's hands. He lifted the child up high and asked for his name.
Raphael started to speak,
"God showed me this child's name," he announced. "Emmanuel. God is with us."
Prophet nodded happily. "Emmanuel. That is a beautiful name."
The people cheered. Timothy prayed for a long time. His hand stayed on the baby's head. His eyes found mine for a moment. A secret smile crossed his lips.
I smiled back, but my heart was beating fast.
After the ceremony, many people came to greet us. Hugs. Kisses. Pictures. Raphael was full of joy.
I stood to the side, watching everything. Victor playing close by. Stella running after balloons. Raphael laughing with his friends. Timothy watching from far away.
Everything looked perfect. But everything was a lie.
A small whisper came into my mind. How long can you keep this up? I pushed that voice away.
But deep inside, I knew the truth was coming. Slowly. Surely.
And when it finally arrived, everything would shatter like glass on a hard floor.
END OF CHAPTER NINE
TBC
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