Inside the premier university in Ghana, the University of Ghana, Legon, stood at the Commonwealth Hall entrance, a beautiful damsel in distress. She had lines on her forehead signifying a frown as she had been waiting for a while. She was a final-year Engineering student and one of the best in the department, aside from her innocent, beautiful look. "Hey, beautiful. Sorry to have kept you waiting." A soothing male voice sounded behind her ears as two powerful arms embraced her from behind. Her light skin turned red with shyness as she blushed profusely. Only God knew how much she loved this man. Aaron Wilson was his name. He was also a final-year medical student aspiring for a scholarship abroad. Not that he needed the money badly, Aaron hailed from one of the powerful families in the country. Money was never an issue; he just wanted to achieve things by himself most time. He was another brilliant and handsome student who was the dream guy of every female in the school, literally. Elena was shocked the day he announced in front of everybody that he wanted her to be his girlfriend and that he was serious about her. Aaron and Elena had everything in common except their financial status. Elena lived with her wicked aunt and eight cousins, together with her uncle, after she lost her parents in a car accident. Life had been tough on her, and her only goal was to be an engineer and leave the life of poverty. She had to take a job at a company, and that's where she met the only heir to the Wilson Empire. One can say it was their fate since they never would have met on campus with their different field of study, and Elena seldom went out. Aaron took a liking to the simple girl who was working as an intend in his father's company. He seldom went to the Engineering part of the company, but that day, he decided to go see his mom, who was in charge of that company. Ever since that day, he had been going there, striking friendship with her, and wooing his way to her heart, dumping his then-girlfriend. What he loved most about her was her modesty, stubbornness, and non-greediness for money. Yes, she needed it, but she wouldn't go for the easy way like other beautiful women. They had been dating for three years now, and it had been the best three years of their lives. Since they were graduating soon, Aaron decided to introduce her to his family as his prospective wife. They had agreed to meet in front of the hall's entrance, and that's why Elena was waiting patiently even though he was late. The annoyance in her dissipated when he hugged her from behind. "Why are you now coming, Mr. Wilson? I've been waiting for ages." She complained, feigning annoyance. "I'm sorry, baby, I got caught up in some work, but I'm here now. Please forgive me, sweetheart." Aaron coaxed, making her blush even more than before. He opened the car door for her and drove off once she was comfortable.
…
"NO! I don't and won't accept this marriage. Is she the reason why you started coming by the company and dumped Eunice? Aaron, have you gone mad? You left the minister's daughter for an unfortunate mistake of a being? She doesn't belong to our class or status. I refuse to accept this. Hey you! What spell have you cast on my son? You low life! Haven't I done enough for you? Isn't the salary satisfactory for you in the company? Tell me and I'll double it. Why must you cling to my son like a mite, you, gold digger?" Mrs. Wilson fumed, looking at her with disgust and hatred in her eyes. "I'm sorry you think so lowly of me, Madam, but I assure you I haven't put any spell on your son. Aaron and I just love each other…" Elena began, but was interrupted with a slap on both cheeks, which made her fall. "That's where you belong, below at our feet. Love my foot! Do you know love?" Mrs. Wilson asked, and Elena only wept. "That's enough, Mom! What has come over you? You've been working with her to know she's none of the accusations you are placing on her!" Aaron came to the rescue, crouching to Elena's side and picking her up. "She's the one I want and love! If you can't accept that, I don't care." Aaron said. "Is that so? Let's see how long this abomination of a marriage will last without the support of your father or me. Don't forget you are used to luxury, Aaron, and you can't do without your inheritance. Yes! If you get married to this milksop, you will no longer be a part of this family, nor will you get your inheritance as the heir to the empire." Mrs. Wilson said and stormed off, leaving the couple dumbfounded. Elena cried the whole drive back to campus, feeling heartbroken. She thought the woman liked her as she was very hardworking. It turns out she was wrong. Mr. Wilson was out for a business trip, but Aaron knew his father always went along with his mom on everything.
Time passed, and they graduated. Aaron and Elena had two best friends: Isabella and George. Isabella was Elena's bestie, while George was Aaron's bestie. Both girls were now Engineers, and the boys were doctors, all with first-class certificates. Aaron was still bent on getting married to Elena, while George married Isabella. They had a double wedding, which was simple but nice. Life began for the newlyweds as things were going pretty smoothly. Elena had a great job at a different company since she got fired from the previous one. True to her mother-in-law's words, no support came from Aaron's family as they were highly disappointed in him for choosing a nobody over the minister's daughter. However, Mrs. Wilson kept on telling Eunice to be patient since her son would come running back to them in no time without the luxury he is used to. Aaron was studying for his scholarship and so only Elena was taking care of the bills and food. Everything was fine till the arrival of a new member in the family. Elena had been saving up for this and was prepared for it. She had to pause going to work to nurse her daughter, Ellen, so Aaron had to apply for a job and take care of things. In order to make his life extremely unbearable, his father had his scholarship application cancelled and made it difficult for him to be employed. They had to make sure he had nowhere to go but return to them. Ellen was just two years old when her father bid them farewell to a trip to the village in another region. Elena was used to Aaron going on such trips for research and residency work and didn't make much of it. Two months had passed, and there was still no sign or news of Aaron. Elena couldn't go back to her job as she had no one to leave her daughter with, making her unemployed. She had just finished putting Ellen to bed for her afternoon nap when a car pulled up in front. At first, she thought it was her husband, but was disappointed to see his best friend instead. George already had a son before marriage and a baby girl about Ellen's age after marriage. He had a solemn expression that made Elena's heart skip a beat for an unknown reason. "George? What brings you here? Come, please, have a seat. This is a surprise. Aaron isn't back yet if you are here to see him. Why the solemn face?" Elena threw a series of questions at him, expecting an answer. "How are you, Elena? And how is Ellen?" George questioned instead. "We are both fine by God's grace. Eheh, have you heard from Aaron? I haven't in a while, and he always finds time to contact me even if he is extremely busy." Elena said with a worried expression. "Hmm, how do I expound this? Elena, I have something to tell you, and you aren't going to like it, I must confess." George started, and Elena grew goose bumps. "I have heard from Aaron, and he asked me to give this to you. It was going to be delivered by the family lawyer, but I chose to bring it since he didn't want to be harsh." George continued, stretching the brown envelope to Elena, who received it with shaky hands. She had a very bad feeling about whatever was in the envelope. The first thing she brought out was a letter which read.
My Love,
I know I promised you the moon and the stars together with all the happiness in the world. I wish I could fulfill all that and more, but you and I know that's close to impossible with our current situation. This is not the life I had planned for us or myself, and my mom was right. I am used to luxury, and it's been unbearable leaving without it. I swear I tried to fight for our love, but love just isn't enough, Elena. Being with you and our daughter is one of the best things that has happened to me. I want you to know it pains me a lot to do this, but I had to return to my parents. I asked for their forgiveness, and they accepted me with the condition that I end whatever relation I have with you. Inside the envelope is a divorce paper that has been signed by me and a huge amount of cash to keep you and our daughter going. I'm really sorry baby and I promise I'll come back for you both one day. I LOVE YOU ELENA.
Aaron.
Elena crumbled the letter with uncontrollable tears in her eyes. "How could you do this to me, Aaron? After all we've been through. I knew this day would come; that's why I told you to leave me alone. I had a very bright future, and that has been destroyed now. All I have left is my daughter. How am I going to take care of her, Aaron? Why did you have to do this…? George, where is he now? Maybe if he sees me his mind will change. This is all his parents' idea. They are luring him with money. Aaron loves me a lot and will take me back, just take me to him." Elena begged and cried like she was going insane. "Yes, he loves you a lot. We were all witnesses to that love, but he is just too accustomed to money, Elena, and he would choose that over anything, even true love. I am very disappointed in my friend. He could have just consulted me, and I'd have helped him. I wish I could take you to him Elena, but he is getting married in Germany as we speak." George explained and Elena became hysterical, throwing herself about in wail as if her husband actually just died. She threw the stack of cash at George as well as the divorce papers after signing it in anger when she calmed down. "Tell that man and his family I don't want their filthy money! I will take care of my daughter and raise her to be a refined young woman, something they failed to do with their wasted conception of a son!" Elena said and went inside, banging the door hard. George didn't know how to react as she had every right to insult the Wilsons and more. He only hoped his friend knew what he was doing as he drove away. He had tried to talk him out of it and offer him money, but he only said he should take care of his wife and child; one day, he would come back for them. Elena kept the letter as a constant reminder of her husband's betrayal. George came by every weekend to give them essential items to make life comfortable. What Aaron had failed to notice was that his wife was pregnant when he was leaving, despite being a doctor. It came as a shock to both Elena and George when the doctor announced she had had a miscarriage due to intensive stress as this was a high-risk pregnancy. Elena cried her heart out and rained insults and curses on Aaron and his family. The neighbors begun to raise eyebrows about the whereabouts of her husband and her relationship with George. Elena woke up one day and decided she had had enough, and even the house had many memories of Aaron and her together. She packed hers and Ellen's stuff when she was four years old and left the city for a place where no one knew anything about her or her past. She changed her name to her local name, Esinam, and told everyone who asked about her husband, including her daughter, that he died in a car accident. She just started doing petty trading and farming, knowing no one would be able to find her or her daughter. She always prayed for George, though, as the man had been of great help to her and her child.