THE SHADOWS WE CHOOSE I

THE SHADOWS WE CHOOSE

Chapter 1: Young Love, Fragile Dreams

At just 23, Nathan Asare was the golden boy of Ghana’s burgeoning tech scene. Fresh out of university, he had already co-founded a start-up that was gaining attention in  innovation hub. Gloria, at 20, was a dazzling figure on campus, a business student with big dreams and a smile that could command a room. Their meeting wasn’t accidental—it was fate, as Gloria liked to call it.

Nathan was speaking at an entrepreneurship seminar when he noticed her in the crowd, her hand raised to ask a sharp question about balancing ambition and family life. She was eloquent and confident, traits Nathan found irresistible. After the seminar, he approached her, struck by her wit and intelligence.

“What if I told you that you don’t have to choose?” Nathan said, handing her his card.

Gloria smiled coyly. “What if I told you I’d rather build a business than chase a man’s dreams?”

That was all it took. Nathan was smitten. Within months, they were inseparable, a campus power couple everyone envied.

The whirlwind romance led to a grand wedding within a year. Gloria wore a stunning kente gown that dazzled the crowd, and Nathan promised her a life of love, wealth, and partnership. But as they settled into married life, cracks began to form.

Gloria wanted to start her own business—a dream she had nurtured since childhood—but Nathan’s ambitions consumed their time. “Just give me a few years,” he would say, “and we’ll build your dream together.” Years turned into a decade.

Chapter 2: The Perfect Family (On the Surface)

By their 10th wedding anniversary, Nathan was the CEO of one of Ghana’s most successful tech companies. They had a beautiful daughter, Joanna, who was the center of Nathan’s universe. Gloria, however, felt trapped.

Nathan was always working, traveling for conferences, and spending late nights in his office. Gloria, meanwhile, played the role of the supportive wife, attending events and smiling for the cameras. But behind closed doors, she was restless.

Joanna, now a precocious 13-year-old, was the glue holding them together. Nathan adored her and spared no expense in giving her the best life—private school, international vacations, and endless affection.

But Gloria’s restlessness grew. When Nathan missed yet another family dinner, she confronted him.

“This isn’t what I signed up for, Nathan,” she said, her voice breaking.

“I’m doing this for us—for you and Joanna,” he replied, exasperated.

“For you, Nathan,” she shot back. “You’re building your empire while I’m stuck playing house.”

Chapter 3: The Affair

It started innocently enough. Gloria reconnected with an old friend from university, a man who listened to her frustrations and made her feel seen. At first, their meetings were casual—a coffee here, a lunch there. But soon, the lines blurred.

One night, after a particularly heated argument with Nathan, Gloria found herself in her friend’s arms. It was a mistake, she told herself, a one-time lapse in judgment. But one time became several, and soon, she was living a double life.

Nathan, oblivious, continued to pour his energy into his work. Joanna, meanwhile, noticed her mother’s growing absence but said nothing.

Chapter 4: The Request for Divorce

By the time Joanna turned 23 and was preparing to graduate from medical school, Gloria had made up her mind. She wanted out.

“I’m filing for divorce,” Gloria announced one evening, her tone icy.

Nathan stared at her, dumbfounded. “What are you talking about? After everything we’ve built?”

“Built?” Gloria laughed bitterly. “You built your empire, Nathan. I was just a placeholder.”

Gloria demanded half of Nathan’s wealth, citing their years of marriage and her role in supporting him. Nathan, still reeling from the shock, refused.

“You supported me? Gloria, you’ve done nothing but undermine me!”

Their arguments grew uglier by the day, with Joanna caught in the middle. Gloria insisted on taking Joanna with her, but Nathan refused.

“She’s my daughter,” he said firmly. “You’re not taking her from me.”

Chapter 5: The DNA Bombshell

In a bid to strengthen his custody case, Nathan’s lawyer suggested a DNA test to cement his parental rights. Nathan agreed, confident there was no doubt about Joanna’s parentage.

The results were a thunderbolt. Joanna was not his biological daughter.

Nathan’s world crumbled. He confronted Gloria in a blind rage.

“You lied to me for 23 years?” he roared, waving the DNA report in her face.

Gloria tried to justify her actions. “It was a mistake, Nathan. But you’ve been her father in every way that matters—”

Nathan cut her off. “Don’t you dare twist this. You robbed me of the truth. You stole my life!”

Joanna, who had overheard the argument, was devastated. She ran to Nathan, tears streaming down her face.

“Daddy, please don’t hate me,” she sobbed. “I didn’t know. I swear I didn’t know.”

Nathan, his heart breaking, pulled her into his arms. “This isn’t your fault,” he whispered. “You’ll always be my daughter.”

Chapter 6: A Fractured Reality

Nathan spent days locked in his study, replaying the events of the last 23 years. Every memory now felt tainted, a bitter reminder of Gloria’s betrayal. Yet, one thing remained constant—his love for Joanna.

Joanna, on the other hand, was grappling with her identity. The man she had always called “Dad” was not her biological father, and the revelation shook her to the core. She felt a mix of guilt, shame, and fear of losing Nathan’s love.

Late one night, Joanna knocked on his study door.

“Dad,” she said hesitantly. “Can we talk?”

Nathan turned, his face lined with exhaustion. “Joanna, you don’t have to call me that anymore.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “But you’ve always been my dad. Blood doesn’t change that.”

Nathan sighed and gestured for her to sit. “You’re right. It doesn’t. But this…this changes everything, Joanna. I don’t even know who I am anymore.”

Joanna placed a hand on his arm. “You’re the man who raised me, who taught me how to ride a bike, who stayed up late helping me with school projects. None of that was a lie.”

Her words pierced through Nathan’s anger, softening his heart. He realized that while Gloria had betrayed him, Joanna was an innocent party.

Chapter 7: Gloria’s Downfall

Gloria, meanwhile, was facing her own challenges. The divorce proceedings had turned public, and Nathan’s legal team was determined to ensure she received as little of his wealth as possible.

Her lawyer argued that Gloria had been a supportive wife and was entitled to half of Nathan’s assets. Nathan countered with evidence of her infidelity and the DNA test results.

The judge’s ruling was a blow to Gloria. She was awarded a modest settlement but nowhere near the 50% she had hoped for.

Humiliated and broke, Gloria moved to a smaller house in the same town. She avoided public spaces, fearing the judgmental stares of her neighbors.

Chapter 8: Love in Uncharted Waters

As Nathan and Joanna settled into their new reality, their bond deepened. Joanna moved into Nathan’s home to care for him, convinced that he needed her support.

Their relationship took an unexpected turn one evening when they were watching a movie together. Nathan absentmindedly brushed a strand of hair from Joanna’s face, and their eyes met.

The moment lingered, electric and confusing. Joanna looked away, her cheeks flushing.

“I should go to bed,” she said hurriedly, leaving Nathan to wrestle with his own feelings.

Days turned into weeks, and the tension between them grew. Joanna began to notice Nathan’s lingering glances, his protective nature, and the way his voice softened when he spoke to her.

One evening, as they shared a quiet dinner, Joanna finally spoke up.

“Dad…I mean, Nathan. Have you ever thought about…us?”

Nathan froze, his fork midway to his mouth. “What do you mean?”

“I mean…” Joanna’s voice faltered. “Do you ever think about how things might be different if we weren’t…you know…”

Nathan put down his fork, his expression unreadable. “Joanna, this isn’t something we should talk about.”

“But it’s something we’re both feeling,” she pressed.

Chapter 9: Society’s Shadows

Gloria’s unexpected visit was more than just a surprise; it was a storm brewing on a calm day.

She arrived unannounced, letting herself into Nathan’s house with the spare key she never returned after their divorce. The sight that greeted her left her frozen in the doorway. Joanna, half-naked, sat straddled on Nathan’s lap, her bare chest pressing against him as she fed him snacks from a plate resting on her thigh.

Nathan and Joanna looked up in unison, the shock on their faces betraying the private moment they had been enjoying. Joanna hurriedly grabbed a throw blanket to cover herself while Nathan stood, clearing his throat awkwardly.

“What… is going on here?” Gloria’s voice was cold, but her expression burned with indignation.

“Nothing,” Nathan said, his tone defensive. “She was just—”

“Feeding you? Half-naked?!” Gloria’s voice rose, and Joanna flinched.

“It’s not what it looks like,” Joanna stammered, but the damage was already done. Gloria didn’t wait for an explanation. She stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

The incident shook Nathan and Joanna to their core. “What if she tells people?” Joanna asked, her voice trembling.

“She wouldn’t dare,” Nathan replied, though he didn’t sound convinced.

But Gloria did dare. Over the next few weeks, whispers began circulating in their small town. Gloria spread rumors, accusing Nathan and Joanna of an inappropriate relationship. The town divided into factions—those who dismissed Gloria’s claims as bitter lies and those who believed them.

“After all, she’s not even his real daughter,” some murmured. “What’s stopping them?”

Others condemned the possibility outright, calling it disgusting and unnatural.

The rumors weighed heavily on Nathan and Joanna. Their love, already tested by secrecy and guilt, now faced the judgment of an unforgiving society.

Chapter 10: The Weight of Whispers

As time passed, the world around Nathan and Joanna became more toxic. The rumors Gloria had spread were now like wildfire, engulfing everyone around them. The once quiet town was now divided, and with each passing day, the whispers grew louder. People were unsure whether to pity them or condemn them.

Despite this, Nathan and Joanna tried to carry on with their private love. But the more they tried to push forward, the harder it became to hide. It was no longer just the whispers that haunted them, but also the guilt gnawing at them, the constant fear of getting caught.

One evening, Joanna sat beside Nathan, her fingers tracing patterns on his hand, her face uncertain. She had been quieter lately.

“Joanna,” Nathan said softly, his voice thick with concern, “what’s going on? Talk to me.”

She hesitated, then looked up, her eyes filled with confusion and fear. “Nathan, I think I’m pregnant.”

Nathan’s world stopped. He stared at her, disbelief written all over his face. “Pregnant?”

“I didn’t want to tell you until I was sure, but… now I know,” Joanna whispered. “I’m scared, Nathan. What does this mean for us?”

Nathan’s heart raced. The complexity of the situation was now beyond anything they could have imagined. He held her close, kissing her forehead gently. “It doesn’t change anything. I’ll be here for you, always.”

But deep down, Nathan knew the truth was even darker. If the baby was his, it would only add to the web of lies and the increasing complications. He wanted to protect Joanna, but they were both trapped in a nightmare they had no control over.

Chapter 11: Gloria’s Return and The Pregnancy Bombshell

By the eighth month of her pregnancy, Gloria returned to Nathan’s life, her belly now impossibly large. She walked into his house one afternoon, uninvited, and Nathan could see the fire in her eyes. She had been keeping her distance, but now, she had come with a different agenda.

“I think it’s time you knew the truth,” Gloria said, her voice cold and distant.

Nathan turned to face her. “What truth?”

“I’m pregnant, Nathan.”

“I know,” he said, his voice strained.

“No, you don’t understand,” she continued, her voice quivering. “It might not be yours.”

Nathan froze, his blood running cold. He was caught in a whirlwind, and every new revelation only made it worse. Gloria’s words hit him like a slap to the face. What if the child wasn’t his?

“You think I’m lying?” Gloria spat. “You think I haven’t been living with this shame, trying to keep it together? This child could be yours, Nathan. Or it could be someone else’s. But one thing’s for sure—my life is never going to be the same again.”

Joanna overheard the conversation from the other room. Her heart shattered at the thought that her own mother might be carrying Nathan’s child.

Chapter 12: The Intensity of Love, Guilt, and Desire

The revelation hit like a storm. Nathan and Joanna were now tangled in a mess of emotions and unspoken desires. They spent sleepless nights talking, questioning, and, in moments of deep need, falling into each other’s arms.

Joanna’s pregnancy made everything feel even more intense. Nathan began to pamper her in ways he never had before, his guilt for what was happening between them burning his every action. Every time she would rest her head on his chest or smile at him, he’d feel the weight of their love and the mess they had made.

“I want this, Nathan,” Joanna whispered one night, as she lay in his arms. “But I’m so scared.”

“Don’t be scared, my love,” Nathan whispered back, his fingers tracing her swollen belly. “Whatever happens, I’ll be here. Always.”

But the stakes were higher than ever. Was it possible for them to be happy together? Would the world ever let them be? And, most importantly, would their love for each other survive the storms they were facing?

Their intimacy became both a comfort and a reminder of the web they were trapped in. They would spend days laughing, playing, and joking, but in the silence of the night, the weight of their reality was undeniable.

Chapter 13: The Final Twist – A Father or a Grandfather?

Months passed, and it came time for both Joanna and Gloria to give birth. The tension in the air was unbearable, and the complications were now a heavy presence in Nathan’s life. He had become a figure in two lives—one as a potential father and the other as a grandfather. The two women were about to bring children into a world that was already filled with enough confusion and shame.

Nathan stayed with both of them, his love for Joanna unwavering, but his responsibilities to Gloria and her pregnancy looming large. He stood in the hospital room with Gloria by his side as she gave birth, and his heart stopped when he saw the baby boy, his son—or was it?

The confusion only deepened when the nurse handed Nathan a paternity test, a requirement before any decisions about guardianship or parental rights could be made.

“I’m sorry, but we need to make sure,” the nurse said.

Nathan’s hands trembled as he looked at the child. Was he truly the father? Or was it someone else’s child entirely? He looked at Gloria, whose eyes were filled with silent hope and fear.

Meanwhile, Joanna, now at home, prepared for her own labor. She was terrified that Nathan’s focus would shift entirely to Gloria’s son. Her jealousy simmered beneath the surface, but she tried to suppress it. She was about to bring their child into the world—what would it mean for the future of their relationship?

Chapter 14: The Ultimate Question

Joanna gave birth in the same hospital, mere hours after Gloria’s child entered the world. Nathan was there for her, holding her hand as she breathed through the pain. But even as he supported her, he couldn’t shake the image of the child he had just met, the one with Gloria.

When Joanna’s baby was born, the nurse passed her a letter with the test results. Nathan’s heart stopped when he saw it was for the paternity of both children. It had been ordered for both of them—the truth about his fatherhood, and whether he was a grandfather or a father.

As he opened the letter, a final decision remained: Was he to be a father or a grandfather? Would Joanna’s baby be his daughter or his granddaughter? The confusion was unbearable.

Conclusion

In the final moments, Nathan looked at the two children—their future uncertain. As he held his newborn son in his arms and his daughter’s hand in his, he could only wonder: how could he reconcile his love for both women, the guilt, and the emotional turmoil that was inevitable?

Would he ever be able to marry Joanna, knowing that his past had entangled them in this web of deceit and love? And if the child was his, would society ever accept them as a family? Would his own heart ever be able to heal from the painful truths they now faced?

As Nathan walked out of the hospital, a thought lingered in the air: was he a father, or had he crossed a line that no one could ever forgive?

The world waited with bated breath, but Nathan’s heart was lost in the shadows of the choices he had made. The future was uncertain, and whether they would ever find peace was a question that remained unanswered.