She had always loved him, ever since they met at the bookstore. He was browsing through the mystery section, looking for a new thriller to read. She was working as a cashier, and she couldn’t help but notice his handsome face and charming smile. She decided to approach him and recommend one of her favorite books. He thanked her and asked for her name. She told him it was Anna, and he introduced himself as Leo. They exchanged phone numbers and agreed to meet again.
They soon became inseparable, spending every free moment together. They shared their passions, their dreams, their fears. They laughed, they cried, they kissed. They were happy, and they thought nothing could ever tear them apart.
But fate had other plans. One day, Leo received a call from his old friend, who worked as a journalist. He told him he had uncovered a dangerous conspiracy involving a powerful politician and a criminal organization. He said he needed Leo’s help to expose the truth and bring justice. Leo was hesitant, but he felt he had a duty to his friend and his country. He told Anna he had to go on a trip for a few days, and he promised he would be back soon. He kissed her goodbye and left.
Anna waited for him, anxiously checking her phone for any messages or calls. She missed him terribly, and she hoped he was safe. She tried to distract herself with work and hobbies, but she couldn’t stop thinking about him.
A week passed, and then another. She still had no news from him. She started to worry that something had gone wrong. She tried to contact his friend, but his phone was disconnected. She searched online for any clues, but she found nothing. She felt a growing sense of dread, as if something terrible had happened to him.
She decided to go to his apartment, hoping to find some answers. She knocked on the door, but there was no response. She used the spare key he had given her, and entered. The place was dark and silent. She turned on the lights, and gasped.
There he was, lying on the floor, covered in blood. He had been shot several times, and his lifeless eyes stared at the ceiling. She screamed, and ran to his side. She cradled his head in her arms, and sobbed. She kissed his cold lips, and whispered his name. She begged him to wake up, to come back to her. But he didn’t. He was gone.
She looked around, and saw a note on the table. It was written in his handwriting, and it said:
“Anna, I’m sorry. I love you. Please forgive me.”
She picked up the note, and read it. She felt a surge of anger, mixed with confusion and pain. She wondered what he meant, what he was sorry for, what he wanted her to forgive. She noticed there was something else on the table, a small envelope. She opened it, and found a USB drive. She plugged it into her laptop, and opened the files.
She saw a video, recorded by his friend. He explained that he had discovered a shocking truth, that the politician he was investigating was none other than Leo’s father. He said he had evidence that Leo’s father was involved in corruption, murder, and terrorism. He said he had confronted Leo with the facts, and asked him to join him in exposing his father. He said Leo had agreed, but he had betrayed him. He said Leo had shot him, and taken the USB drive. He said he had managed to survive, and track down Leo. He said he had killed him, and left the USB drive for Anna. He said he was sorry, but he had to do it. He said he hoped Anna would understand, and use the evidence to reveal the truth. He said he wished her the best, and ended the video.
Anna stared at the screen, in disbelief. She couldn’t believe what she had just seen, what she had just learned. She couldn’t believe that Leo, the man she loved, the man who loved her, was the son of a monster, and a traitor. She couldn’t believe that he had lied to her, that he had killed his friend, that he had died by his friend’s hand. She couldn’t believe that he had left her alone, with a broken heart and a terrible secret.
She didn’t know what to do, what to think, what to feel. She felt numb, and empty. She felt betrayed, and lost. She felt like her world had collapsed, and nothing made sense anymore.
She looked at his body, and the note, and the USB drive. She looked at the evidence, and the truth. She looked at the choice, and the consequences.
She had to decide what to do next.
She had to decide whether to forgive him, or not.
©® Coker Favour Ayomikun
The Momma Clan 
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