Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 10

The Childless Wife Episode Ten

"I never knew that one day, I will be in police detention. This is something terrible. My ministry has crashed and my life has been destroyed. Everything I worked for all my life is crashing down like a pack of cards. If I had known, I wouldn't have threatened Lolade. I brought this evil up on myself. I regret everything." The pastor said in his cell.

"I have tried bribing the police but they rejected my money. I even gave them N2 million and they rejected it. I was thinking I will use money to buy my freedom but it appears impossible. What am I going to do now? Lolade's husband has hit me below the belt. My name is trending all over social media for the wrong reason. God please forgive me and help me. I promise to repent if you bring me out of this dirty cell." The pastor said. He was actually crying.

It was the beginning of the end for the pastor. The video recordings he secretly made of himself and Lolade had spread like wildfire online and among the members of his church. His phone had been seized by Lolade's husband, and all the videos had been handed over to the police as evidence.

His crime was serious-recording videos of a married woman without her consent. It was also discovered that he had been sleeping with her while acting as her spiritual counsellor. And worse, Lolade was pregnant, and he was claiming the pregnancy belonged to him. All these added up to a case that shocked the public.

He was taken to the police station and detained for two nights. Journalists came around and took pictures. His photos were on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and even on the local news channels. His church members were confused, ashamed, and angry. Most of them didn't even wait to hear his side of the story. They were too shocked to defend him.

On the third day, the pastor was arraigned in court. The courtroom was filled with people. Some came to support Lolade and her husband. Others came out of curiosity. The prosecutor read out the charges: recording of bedroom action, abuse of spiritual authority, defamation, and threats to life.

When the judge asked if he understood the charges, the pastor said yes. He pleaded not guilty. His lawyer applied for bail, and after some deliberation, the judge granted him bail under strict conditions. He was not to leave the state or interfere with the victim or her family. The case was adjourned for trial.

That Sunday, the pastor dressed up in his white robe and headed to church with his wife and children. He was hopeful that at least a few loyal members would come to support him. He stood at the pulpit, mic in hand, and waited.

But no one came.

"I'm finished." He said.

The chairs were empty. The drums were silent. The keyboard was off. The ushers were gone. The once lively and packed church hall looked like a warehouse. The only people in the church that morning were his wife, and their three children.

He dropped the mic slowly and knelt at the altar. He placed his head on the floor and remained there for several minutes. He didn't pray. He didn't speak. He just stayed quiet. His wife watched him, unsure of what to say or do. The children sat on the front row, confused about why no one else was in church.

"I have used my hand to destroy what I built. It's the end of the road for me." The pastor said.

That same week, the court resumed for the trial of the case. More evidence was presented. The Judge listened carefully to every witness. Lolade gave her statement in court. She explained how she was manipulated by the pastor, how he claimed he would help her conceive through spiritual methods, and how he ended up sleeping with her. She also explained how he started asking for money when she tried to stop.

Lolade's husband also testified. He explained how he discovered the videos and how the pastor tried to cover up the crime. The video clips were shown in court, and the judge was clearly angry.

After weeks of trial, the judge gave the final judgment. The pastor was found guilty on all charges. He was sentenced to twelve years in prison with no option of fine. The church building was sealed by government officials.

Meanwhile, nine months had passed since the beginning of the whole drama. Lolade was heavily pregnant. Throughout those months, she lived with the fear that the baby might not belong to her husbandThe pastor had insisted during the early days that the baby was his. Even though her husband stood by her and forgave her, Lolade still worried deep down.

One quiet evening, she went into labour. Her husband rushed her to the hospital. After several hours, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. The baby had her husband's exact nose and ears. Still, to be sure and put her mind at rest, they decided to do a DNA test.

When the results came back, Lolade couldn't believe it. The baby was her husband's child.

She broke down in relief and joy. Her husband hugged her tightly.

"Thank God,she whispered. "I was so scared. I thought I had destroyed everything."

"No,her husband said. "God gave us another chance. We made it. I told you the baby is mine.

Lolade looked at her baby and smiled. "I will never forget this. Never again will I allow anyone use the name of God to deceive me."

They named the baby Temiloluwa.

After a few weeks, they relocated to a new town. Lolade started a new life as a mother. Her husband got a better job and helped her set up a small boutique. They moved on with their lives, far away from the noise, the shame, and the past.

The woman who once cried in secret every night because she couldn't have a child now had her own baby. The man who stood by her during her darkest hour became her strength. And together, they rebuilt their home, one day at a time.

THE END.