Sandra left her parents’ house with nothing but a small bag and a heart full of bitterness. They had made it painfully clear she was no longer welcome, and so she headed for the city—tired, ashamed, and desperate for somewhere to land.

Meanwhile, miles away, Desmond sat in his living room, exhausted in both body and spirit. It had been a full month since Ella, his wife, disappeared with their children. That same month had been the darkest and most confusing days of his life. After the mysterious deliverance from Sandra’s charm, his mind returned—but his home was empty. His heart was restless, and guilt followed him like a shadow.

Part of that guilt pushed him toward another unresolved matter—James.

He had been told how terribly he treated James during the period Sandra manipulated him, how he unjustly fired a loyal man who had done nothing but work faithfully under him. Shame washed over him every time he thought about it.

So he swallowed his pride and dialed James’ number.

At work, James was reviewing documents when his phone vibrated. He glanced at the caller ID—and a wave of memories struck him all at once: the humiliation, the insults, the rejection, the hopeless nights, the hunger, and the shame of losing his job for no reason.

He inhaled deeply and steadied his voice before answering.

“Good afternoon, sir.”

Desmond’s voice was soft… trembling even.

“Good afternoon… James, I have wronged you.”

A heavy silence followed, one that carried months of pain.

“I don’t know what came over me,” Desmond continued shakily. “That woman… Sandra—your ex-wife—she lied to me. She charmed me. I wasn’t myself. Strong men of God had to pray for me before I regained my senses. I treated you like nothing, when you were actually a good and faithful man working under me.”

James didn’t speak. He simply allowed the words to settle, one after the other.

Desmond rushed on, anxious.

“I want to make amends. Your position is still available. Please… come back to your job.”

James leaned back in his chair, remembering the nights he and his daughter had cried themselves to sleep. How they shared garri and water because he had no income. How he felt helpless when he couldn’t pay school fees.

Only God had lifted him again.

“Sir,” James said calmly, “I appreciate your apology. And you have my forgiveness. But I’m not coming back. God already moved me to a better place. I am settled now. It all worked together for my good, and I have no regrets.”

Desmond exhaled slowly—part relief, part shame.

“Then… let me at least say this. Congratulations on your breakthrough.”

James smiled faintly.

“And congratulations on your deliverance, sir.”

The call ended peacefully.

But James was not surprised. A woman like Sandra—who brought another man to her husband’s house and slept with him in front of their 10-year-old daughter—was capable of anything. Of course she could charm another man. She had no boundaries.

⸻

That same evening, Desmond sat outside his compound with hope flickering weakly in his chest. Then he saw them—Ella and the three children—standing by the gate. The security guard hurried to open it.

Desmond dropped to his knees instantly. Tears burst from his eyes. He stretched his hands toward Ella.

He was trembling.

“I’m sorry,” he cried. “I am deeply, deeply sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I betrayed you. I almost destroyed our home. Please… please do not punish the children for my foolishness.”

Ella stood quietly for a long moment. Then tears slowly filled her eyes as she spoke.

“Desmond, I don’t even understand what happened to me. One night, a strange voice pushed me—telling me to take the children and leave immediately. I didn’t think. I just obeyed. I rented a place without consulting anyone… not even my mother.”

She wiped her face.

“It was only yesterday that clarity returned. I asked myself what I was doing there. Then I saw your message… and I decided to come home.”

Desmond broke completely.

“Oh my God… I failed you. I allowed a strange woman into our home. I let her destroy us. Please forgive me.”

Ella closed her eyes. The silence stretched painfully.

Then she whispered, “I forgive you. Let’s rebuild this home again… but this time, more prayerfully and more carefully.”

Desmond embraced her and kissed his children, tears drenching his face.

⸻

With nowhere else to go, Sandra returned to the neighborhood where she once lived with James.

The moment neighbors saw her, mockery exploded.

“Look at her! The prostitute is back!”

“Ashawo! What is she looking for now?”

Sandra heard it all. Shame burned in her chest, but she needed to know where her family was.

“Please,” she pleaded, “where is my husband and daughter?”

A neighbor folded her arms coldly.

“Eh-hen, so you want to know? Ashawo of the highest order! They moved to a better place. How would you know when you were busy charming someone’s husband?”

Laughter followed.

Still, they eventually gave her the address.

By nightfall, Sandra stood before their new home. With trembling hands, she knocked.

The door opened.

James froze. His expression unreadable.

“Well, well…” he said quietly. “Look who we have here.”

Victoria rushed toward the door but stopped abruptly when she saw her mother.

Her face hardened instantly.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded.

Sandra stepped inside slowly, staring around in disbelief. The house was immaculate—beautiful, peaceful, and comfortable. It screamed class and stability.

Tears spilled from her eyes. She dropped to her knees.

“I came to apologize,” she sobbed. “Victoria, my daughter, I am sorry for how I treated you. I wasn’t a good mother.”

She turned to James.

“James, my husband, I was deceived. Dorcas told me to disrespect you… to chase money… to sleep around. She said a broke man deserved no respect. I listened. And I destroyed everything.”

James exchanged a glance with his daughter.

His expression darkened.

“Which Dorcas?”