Chapter 71

71 Maggie’s Decision

Springchad was a home of peace, warmth, and happiness. The serene rolling hills, the green mountain, and the sweet fragrance of the countryside coax one’s inner energy to flow in ways that weave the soul into the land.

However, in contrast to the above beauty, Maggie Porter sat on a swing chair by her porch looking gloomy. Her days flowed by with bitterness and regret. She stared at the happy yellow warbler songbird tweeting melodiously on an orange maple tree close by. She envied the singing bird, wishing she could develop wings and fly wherever she desired.

For days, Maggie had waited for Ella to call with positive news. It had been a week since the last time she saw Ella. Olivia has been checking up on her every day but not once did Ella call.

Maggie questioned herself severally, where she had gone wrong in raising Ella as her first child. Ella had always had a stronger affinity towards Williams instead of her. Williams was fond of indulging Ella in her every boyish and outrageous inclination.

—-

When Ella was born, it was as though Williams’s soul was woven into hers. Everything Williams ever dreamt of was replicated in his precious Ella. She did things that girls of her age weren’t supposed to do.

Growing up as a child, Ella would climb trees, and play football with boys and rascal girls around the neighborhood. She would fight and beat up guys who bullied her or her baby sister.

Once, when Ella was in grade three, Ella’s mum was invited to her school by the proprietor. Ella had been involved in a fight where she had punched a big boy’s nose causing it to bleed.

When Ella was questioned about the reason behind punching the crying boy’s nose, she simply said nothing. Instead, she glared at the terrified boy and threatened to beat him up some more right in front of her mother and the proprietor. Both adults were rendered speechless at Ella’s ferociousness. In the end, Ella was given a day’s suspension while the crying boy was scolded for allowing a little girl beat him up. This singular act made Ella famous in the school, and she gain the love and charm of everyone. Hence, no one dared mess with her or her little sister.

.....

After trying to make Ella behave more like the pretty girl that she was, rather than acting the part of a male child, Maggie channeled her frustration to Williams. She blamed Williams for always supporting Ella in some of her wrongdoings. Instead of Williams scolding Ella for something Maggie thought was wrong, he would secretly buy her gifts and encourage her to do some more.

Thus, Maggie left Ella to her father and concentrated her strength on Olivia. She made sure Olivia never walked in her big sister’s footsteps.

—-

When Olivia broke the news of Richard’s atrocious actions towards Ella, Maggie was horrified. She had never for once suspected Richard of being capable of such evilness. Richard had been a sweet and loving son-in-law that any mother would willingly give her daughter to.

Maggie had always suspected Susan of being a no-good evil and scheming child. For as long as she could remember, Susan had always been jealous of her daughter. Even though Ella chose to be blind to Susan’s jealousy, Maggie was no fool. She could decipher between a good friend and a bad friend. However, since it was Ella’s choice to keep Susan around, Maggie never objected for once.

Although Maggie wanted to murder Richard and Susan whenever she sets her eyes on them, she blamed Ella severely for what befell her. if she hadn’t lied and gone off to marry someone else, Richard will still be the same loving and caring person she had always known.

Another thing that shattered Maggie the most, was when Olivia told her that Susan was pregnant with Richard’s child. This was a blessing Maggie had wanted for Ella.

Maggie cursed Susan with every fiber of anger in her being. She cursed Richard too, for trying to r*pe her daughter. No matter the bitterness she held against Ella, no mother would sit down and watch her child being abused.

Maggie swore that whenever she laid her eyes on either Susan or Richard, she wouldn’t mind committing murder and going to jail.

After contemplating for hours on her next plan of action to bring Ella to sanity, Maggie picked up her phone and dialed Ella’s number.

——–

Back at Amzone city, Leon left for Carlpole after personally dropping Ella off at work.

It had been a very busy day in the ARILPORTER BOSS fashion company since Ella resumed work. The brand unveiling was over and so it was time for the real work.

Ella attended meeting after meetings, strategizing and approving budget that would foster the growth of her company.

After ensuring that everything was working perfectly, she stepped into her office to go over some documents that needed her signature. She was calmly seated, sipping a glass of orange juice and looking through a file when her phone rang. She nonchalantly picked up her phone, irritated at the timing of the call. However, when her eyes caught hold of the caller’s contact, she froze in her seat.

As the phone rang, Ella’s heart thumped faster and louder. Although her office was well-air-conditioned and ventilated, she felt suffocated as her chest tightened.

It finally occurred to her that her mother’s deadline was the previous day. Unsure of what to do, she dropped the phone on her table and allowed it to keep ringing until it stopped. She stood up and started pacing around the office. Her hands we are trembling and she wished Nana Esther was close by.

The thought of Nana Esther strangely calmed her rampaging emotions. Something within her whispered and she placed her right hand on the amulet around her neck. Suddenly, she regained her composure as a peaceful wave swept over her entire being. It felt as though the waterfall back at Islafub was cascading down her soul. She bravely walked back to her mahogany desk, picked up her phone, and returned her mother’s call.

“Hello mum,” Ella spoke sweetly as though there was no friction between mother and daughter. “How are you? I hope everything is fine back at Springchad?”

There was a long pause on the line as Maggie said nothing. It was as though Maggie was taken unaware by Ella’s calmness. All Ella could hear over the phone was the soft breathing of her mother. Ella smiled proudly to herself as she marveled at her calmness. She touched the amulet around her neck again as she sensed a magical effect in it.

“Mum, are you still there?” Ella questioned after Maggie remained silent for almost five minutes. She picked up a sound and concluded that her mum was sobbing quietly. This made her feel bad but she quickly reassured herself that everything would be fine in the future just like Nana Esther predicted.

Unable to take the silent treatment from her mum anymore, Ella confesses her love for Leon and made known her final decision on her mum’s ultimatum.

“Mum, I know that you do not approve of my relationship with my husband. I know that I’ve breached your trust by not telling you of my marriage to him. I know that I have greatly disappointed you. I know you think my husband’s family hates me. I also know that you are aware of what Richard and Susan did to me.” Ella paused to make everything she said to sink into her mum’s mind. “From the depth of my heart, I am truly sorry for hurting you. How I wish you could understand me better. I will patiently wait for the day you will stop hating me and love me once more like your daughter. Finally, I have decided not to divorce my husband. I love him so much and I will stick by his side till the day death comes calling.”

“Ella,” Maggie’s broken voice called softly. “Even though your time is up, I will still not give up on you. If you’re under a love spell, I will break it with my dying breath.” Maggie’s voice was firm and resolute. “Get ready, because I am coming today to Amzone city to face you and that man you call a husband. Take note. I will go nowhere until you divorce that man.” The line went dead

Ella took a deep breath as she walked back to his seat and sat down. Surprisingly, her mum’s threat didn’t shake her. Instead, it emboldened her. If her mum chooses to stay at the villa, then she would welcome her with open arms.

Ella was even more determined to show off her success to her mum. Her mum will see first-hand that Leon truly loved her.

Feeling unperturbed by her mother’s threat of coming around. She resumed her work like nothing was amiss.

————

For almost three hours, Leon drove silently to Carlpole. He didn’t bother driving at top speed. His mind was clouded with so much pain. The lonely road trip had given him sufficient time to think about so many shared memories with his dad.

On several occasions, Leon had caught Rex bragging about his super-talented and goal-oriented son. This was something Rex rarely did in Leon’s presence. Instead of accolades from his dad, all Leon got were more demanding tasks.

Like Rex would always say, ‘the reward for a job well done is more work.’

From a tender age, up to the grown man Leon currently is, Rex had taught him the importance of family and loyalty.

Like Rex would always say, ‘family and brotherhood is a bond that can easily make or mar one’s existence. Rex was a man that never joked with his family even when they were on the wrong side of a dispute.

After long hours of contemplation, Leon safely arrived at his country home.

Marissa, who was out taking a walk was the first person to sight him.

“Leon!” Marissa ran towards him like a lost son who had finally returned home.