💔 NEVER LET GO — Episode Eleven: “Between Guilt and Love”
The atmosphere in the house was heavy, dense enough to choke anyone who attempted to breathe in it. For hours, the entire family had tried one approach or another to talk to Stanley, but his mind had become a fortress, locked from every angle. Mrs Grace and her daughters had begged, pleaded, explained, repeated, and prayed, yet Stanley had refused to hear anything that favoured Ivy.
Grace finally sighed deeply and spoke with the calm authority only a mother possessed.
"Honestly son, it is so unfair. I know you brought her here in the first place and I know you have the right to send her away. But it should not have been the way you did it. You should have listened to her, at least to know what truly happened at the hotel."
Stanley clenched his jaw. Pain flashed across his eyes like lightning behind clouds.
"You do not know how it feels to be heartbroken mum. That girl shattered my heart. She made it obvious that I mean nothing to her. You should have seen how they were laughing and hugging like..."
"Enough brother," Bianca cut in sharply, unable to hold back anymore. Her voice cracked from suppressed guilt. "Ivy is entirely innocent. I do not care if you kill Nkechi and I for saying the truth, but Ivy has done nothing to hurt your feelings."
Stanley’s glass paused halfway to his mouth. A shadow of confusion passed through him.
Bianca swallowed hard and continued. "Everything you saw was arranged. It was our plan to show you how much you love her. We contacted the young man who was with her at the hotel. It was all planned. We forced her to do everything you saw. She cried. She begged us. But we insisted because we wanted her to know you love her."
The wine glass slipped from Stanley’s hand and crashed on the tiled floor. He shot up as if the chair had burned him.
"What did you just say?"
His voice trembled uncontrollably. The shock that washed over him felt like icy water poured directly on his soul.
Nkechi could not keep quiet anymore. She spoke with trembling lips and glistening eyes.
"Brother listen good. Bianca is saying the truth. That poor girl is innocent. She does not even understand what it means to have a boyfriend. She does not know when someone is deeply in love with her or not. She is naive and pure at heart."
She stepped closer, tears pooling in her eyes.
"Ivy sees you as her protector. Her knight in shining armor. The one who lifted her from poverty and showed her compassion. And now you treat her like that because she did what we asked her to do. You did not even pause to consider that she is a woman. A helpless one. After everything she has been through, you threw her out like a waste ready for disposal."
Stanley stared at both of them, unable to breathe. His chest tightened painfully.
"How dare you use her like this, as a case study? Who do you think you are? How could you..."
Bianca cut him off firmly. "Hold on brother. You can rant all you want. Punish us if you like. But it will not erase the fact that you acted in a very inhumane way. Even if Sam was her boyfriend, so what? Was she born entitled to love only you? Or did you ever tell her how you felt and she rejected you?"
She shook her head, almost disappointed in him.
"You were there at the hotel looking directly into her eyes, yet you could not even confess your feelings. Instead, you judged her and condemned her. It is unacceptable."
Before she could finish, Stanley rushed and grabbed his car keys and bolted out of the house with the desperation of a man who had just realized he ruined the only thing he loved.
The engine roared violently as he sped into the night. His hands trembled on the steering wheel. His throat burned. His vision blurred from tears he no longer bothered to hide.
Every memory of Ivy flashed before him. Her innocence. Her gratitude. Her laughter. Her fragile fears. Her quiet loyalty.
And he had thrown her away. His heart twisted painfully.
When Ivy was nowhere to be found, panic slammed into him. He dialed her number with shaky fingers.
The call connected.
Instead of Ivy’s usual soft greeting, all he heard was muffled crying and frantic breaths. And then a faint desperate whisper.
"Help me."
Stanley’s heart stopped. He shouted her name repeatedly, but she kept crying helplessly. The sound pierced through his soul.
Suddenly the line went dead.
His legs gave out and he fell to his knees by the roadside.
"Jesus Christ! What have I done?"
The night was painfully silent except for the sound of distant crickets. But after a few seconds, he caught a faint noise from somewhere near the bushes. He stood instantly, listening with every fiber of his being.
Another cry was heard. It was Ivy.
His heart pounded violently as he dashed into the bush, branches scratching his skin. And then he saw them. He spotted two boys attempting to harm Ivy. She was screaming, crying, shaking uncontrollably as they hit her and tried to overpower her.
Something snapped inside Stanley. Fury surged through his veins, sharp and blinding. He roared as he charged at them with a strength fueled by rage, guilt and protectiveness. His blows landed with deadly precision. The boys staggered and fell, unable to escape the storm unleashed on them. They limped away with severe injuries, terrified of him.
When Stanley turned back to Ivy, she was curled up, shaking violently. Her eyes were wide with fear and confusion.
"Help me. Please. Do not hurt me," she whispered.
His heart shattered completely.
"I am here Ivy. Stan is here. Nobody will hurt you. I am so sorry. I was a fool. A blind and heartless fool."
He tried to gather her into his arms but before he could, she fainted.
He caught her quickly, carried her to the car and sped to the nearest hospital.
Inside the waiting room, he paced back and forth like a man losing his sanity. Every second felt like another hour of torment. His mind replayed every cruel word he told her. Every tear she shed because of him.
Dr Ferdinand finally walked toward him tall, calm, and purposeful, his white coat swaying slightly with each step. He had the composed face of someone who had spent years dealing with emergencies, yet his eyes carried a softness that showed he cared about every patient he handled.
"Is she alright?" Stanley asked breathlessly.
"She is fine. She fainted due to emotional shock and trauma. Did something unusual happen to her?"
Stanley swallowed painfully. "She was attacked by some street boys. Thugs probably. They tried to harm her."
The doctor nodded sympathetically. "I can see. By the way, she is safe now. She is resting. You may see her soon but do not disturb her."
Stanley rushed into the hospital room and sat beside her. He stared at her sleeping face, pale and exhausted, and his chest tightened painfully. He brushed a stray hair from her forehead. He stayed there for thirty whole minutes before deciding to go out and buy her fruits.
Back home, Grace and the girls kept calling him endlessly, terrified by the silence. But he ignored every call. His focus was on Ivy alone.
When he returned to the hospital, she was still asleep. But suddenly she began shaking her head violently.
"Leave me alone. Do not touch me. I am innocent."
She jerked awake with a scream. Her breathing was harsh and rapid.
Stanley held her fingers gently. "I am here Ivy. I believe you. I should never have doubted you. No one will hurt you again."
Ivy looked at him in confusion, then tears rushed down her face.
"I am sorry sir. They forced me. I did not mean to do anything wrong. I do not even know that man. I was only..."
Before she could finish, Stanley leaned in and began to kissed her. A slow, desperate, remorseful and long kiss.
Ivy froze, shocked and overwhelmed by sensations she had never experienced. Her heart fluttered uncontrollably. But then the memory of the street boys flashed in her mind and she quickly withdrew from the kiss, trembling.
"I am sorry sir."
"It is fine. I should be the one apologising," he said softly. "And please try to get used to calling me Stanley. I feel better when you call me that."
"Okay sir. Sorry, Stan... ley," she stuttered.
He chuckled lightly. "By the way, I got you some fruits. Eat a little so we can go home."
"Home? But you warned me never to come back. I do not want to return to my madam."
Stanley stared at her in disbelief.
“Come on Ivy, that is ridiculous. Losing you again is something I could never bear. Eat something, then we go home,” he insisted.
"Thank you sir. Sorry, Stanley."
He smiled widely. "Where are your bags? I did not see them when I found you."
"They were stolen by some thieves before the street boys attacked me."
"What?" His face darkened. "Terrible. I do not even want to imagine what would have happened if I had not arrived in time."
Ivy lowered her head shyly. Stanley watched her with fascination, admiring her innocence.
He wanted to know if she had any feelings for him, so he pretended to twist his ankle and fell.
Ivy gasped and rushed to him instantly.
"Stan are you alright? Does it hurt?"
Her voice was full of worry.
Stanley looked at her and raised a brow. "You called me Stan. You did not call me sir and you did not even stammer."
Ivy blinked rapidly in confusion. "I am sorry. I did not mean to be rude."
He laughed softly. "Stop apologising. Help me up."
She helped him and he held her a moment longer than needed. Something warm passed between them.
Later that night, he drove her home. When they stepped in together, Grace, Bianca and Nkechi almost screamed in relief. They rushed to Ivy, hugging her tightly.
Grace looked at her son with a warm relieving smile. "You made the best choice," she said happily.
"I know," Stanley said gently, as though a heavy burden had been lifted off his shoulders. He quietly wished he could ask Ivy to sleep in his room, even if she slept far from him. He wanted to keep her close. But he held himself back and simply wished her a good night.
As soon as he left, Bianca and Nkechi knelt before Ivy with watery eyes.
"We are so sorry Ivy. We never meant to get you hurt."
Ivy panicked and tried to pull them up. "Please stand up. I am a nobody. I was never angry. You were only trying to help."
They exchanged mischievous glances and dragged her to their room like excited teenagers.
"Ivy, give us the full gist. Why did it take you both so long to return? And why is our brother smiling like a man who just won a lottery?"
Ivy blushed deeply. She narrated everything she remembered. They listened with wide eyes, shocked at the attack and full of guilt.
"But Ivy," Nkechi interrupted suddenly. "How did our brother act when you woke up? Do not even try to tell us he was not remorseful."
Ivy’s face glowed. She curled her toes and twisted her fingers shyly.
Bianca gasped dramatically. "Do not tell me you have feelings for my brother."
Ivy whispered quietly. "He kissed me."
Both sisters screamed and fell on the bed in excitement.
"Incredible. How did it feel? Was he good at it?" Bianca asked.
Ivy looked down shyly. "Stan is a good man. Only that..."
"Stan?" they chorused.
Ivy hid her face in a pillow.
"My God. You now call him Stan?" Nkechi shouted.
Ivy squealed in embarrassment.
Bianca clapped excitedly. "Indeed, your disappointment has turned into a blessing."
Nkechi laughed. "Ivy is in love. I cannot believe this."
Ivy refused to talk again, burying her face while they teased her until everyone eventually fell asleep, each drifting into sweet romantic dreams.
To Be Continued ✍️ ✍️ ✍️ #NeverLetGo #EpisodeEleven #AfterTheStorm #IvyAndStanley #EmotionalDrama #NigerianFiction #LoveAndRedemption #PlotTwist #FamilyDrama #WhatHappensNext
The atmosphere in the house was heavy, dense enough to choke anyone who attempted to breathe in it. For hours, the entire family had tried one approach or another to talk to Stanley, but his mind had become a fortress, locked from every angle. Mrs Grace and her daughters had begged, pleaded, explained, repeated, and prayed, yet Stanley had refused to hear anything that favoured Ivy.
Grace finally sighed deeply and spoke with the calm authority only a mother possessed.
"Honestly son, it is so unfair. I know you brought her here in the first place and I know you have the right to send her away. But it should not have been the way you did it. You should have listened to her, at least to know what truly happened at the hotel."
Stanley clenched his jaw. Pain flashed across his eyes like lightning behind clouds.
"You do not know how it feels to be heartbroken mum. That girl shattered my heart. She made it obvious that I mean nothing to her. You should have seen how they were laughing and hugging like..."
"Enough brother," Bianca cut in sharply, unable to hold back anymore. Her voice cracked from suppressed guilt. "Ivy is entirely innocent. I do not care if you kill Nkechi and I for saying the truth, but Ivy has done nothing to hurt your feelings."
Stanley’s glass paused halfway to his mouth. A shadow of confusion passed through him.
Bianca swallowed hard and continued. "Everything you saw was arranged. It was our plan to show you how much you love her. We contacted the young man who was with her at the hotel. It was all planned. We forced her to do everything you saw. She cried. She begged us. But we insisted because we wanted her to know you love her."
The wine glass slipped from Stanley’s hand and crashed on the tiled floor. He shot up as if the chair had burned him.
"What did you just say?"
His voice trembled uncontrollably. The shock that washed over him felt like icy water poured directly on his soul.
Nkechi could not keep quiet anymore. She spoke with trembling lips and glistening eyes.
"Brother listen good. Bianca is saying the truth. That poor girl is innocent. She does not even understand what it means to have a boyfriend. She does not know when someone is deeply in love with her or not. She is naive and pure at heart."
She stepped closer, tears pooling in her eyes.
"Ivy sees you as her protector. Her knight in shining armor. The one who lifted her from poverty and showed her compassion. And now you treat her like that because she did what we asked her to do. You did not even pause to consider that she is a woman. A helpless one. After everything she has been through, you threw her out like a waste ready for disposal."
Stanley stared at both of them, unable to breathe. His chest tightened painfully.
"How dare you use her like this, as a case study? Who do you think you are? How could you..."
Bianca cut him off firmly. "Hold on brother. You can rant all you want. Punish us if you like. But it will not erase the fact that you acted in a very inhumane way. Even if Sam was her boyfriend, so what? Was she born entitled to love only you? Or did you ever tell her how you felt and she rejected you?"
She shook her head, almost disappointed in him.
"You were there at the hotel looking directly into her eyes, yet you could not even confess your feelings. Instead, you judged her and condemned her. It is unacceptable."
Before she could finish, Stanley rushed and grabbed his car keys and bolted out of the house with the desperation of a man who had just realized he ruined the only thing he loved.
The engine roared violently as he sped into the night. His hands trembled on the steering wheel. His throat burned. His vision blurred from tears he no longer bothered to hide.
Every memory of Ivy flashed before him. Her innocence. Her gratitude. Her laughter. Her fragile fears. Her quiet loyalty.
And he had thrown her away. His heart twisted painfully.
When Ivy was nowhere to be found, panic slammed into him. He dialed her number with shaky fingers.
The call connected.
Instead of Ivy’s usual soft greeting, all he heard was muffled crying and frantic breaths. And then a faint desperate whisper.
"Help me."
Stanley’s heart stopped. He shouted her name repeatedly, but she kept crying helplessly. The sound pierced through his soul.
Suddenly the line went dead.
His legs gave out and he fell to his knees by the roadside.
"Jesus Christ! What have I done?"
The night was painfully silent except for the sound of distant crickets. But after a few seconds, he caught a faint noise from somewhere near the bushes. He stood instantly, listening with every fiber of his being.
Another cry was heard. It was Ivy.
His heart pounded violently as he dashed into the bush, branches scratching his skin. And then he saw them. He spotted two boys attempting to harm Ivy. She was screaming, crying, shaking uncontrollably as they hit her and tried to overpower her.
Something snapped inside Stanley. Fury surged through his veins, sharp and blinding. He roared as he charged at them with a strength fueled by rage, guilt and protectiveness. His blows landed with deadly precision. The boys staggered and fell, unable to escape the storm unleashed on them. They limped away with severe injuries, terrified of him.
When Stanley turned back to Ivy, she was curled up, shaking violently. Her eyes were wide with fear and confusion.
"Help me. Please. Do not hurt me," she whispered.
His heart shattered completely.
"I am here Ivy. Stan is here. Nobody will hurt you. I am so sorry. I was a fool. A blind and heartless fool."
He tried to gather her into his arms but before he could, she fainted.
He caught her quickly, carried her to the car and sped to the nearest hospital.
Inside the waiting room, he paced back and forth like a man losing his sanity. Every second felt like another hour of torment. His mind replayed every cruel word he told her. Every tear she shed because of him.
Dr Ferdinand finally walked toward him tall, calm, and purposeful, his white coat swaying slightly with each step. He had the composed face of someone who had spent years dealing with emergencies, yet his eyes carried a softness that showed he cared about every patient he handled.
"Is she alright?" Stanley asked breathlessly.
"She is fine. She fainted due to emotional shock and trauma. Did something unusual happen to her?"
Stanley swallowed painfully. "She was attacked by some street boys. Thugs probably. They tried to harm her."
The doctor nodded sympathetically. "I can see. By the way, she is safe now. She is resting. You may see her soon but do not disturb her."
Stanley rushed into the hospital room and sat beside her. He stared at her sleeping face, pale and exhausted, and his chest tightened painfully. He brushed a stray hair from her forehead. He stayed there for thirty whole minutes before deciding to go out and buy her fruits.
Back home, Grace and the girls kept calling him endlessly, terrified by the silence. But he ignored every call. His focus was on Ivy alone.
When he returned to the hospital, she was still asleep. But suddenly she began shaking her head violently.
"Leave me alone. Do not touch me. I am innocent."
She jerked awake with a scream. Her breathing was harsh and rapid.
Stanley held her fingers gently. "I am here Ivy. I believe you. I should never have doubted you. No one will hurt you again."
Ivy looked at him in confusion, then tears rushed down her face.
"I am sorry sir. They forced me. I did not mean to do anything wrong. I do not even know that man. I was only..."
Before she could finish, Stanley leaned in and began to kissed her. A slow, desperate, remorseful and long kiss.
Ivy froze, shocked and overwhelmed by sensations she had never experienced. Her heart fluttered uncontrollably. But then the memory of the street boys flashed in her mind and she quickly withdrew from the kiss, trembling.
"I am sorry sir."
"It is fine. I should be the one apologising," he said softly. "And please try to get used to calling me Stanley. I feel better when you call me that."
"Okay sir. Sorry, Stan... ley," she stuttered.
He chuckled lightly. "By the way, I got you some fruits. Eat a little so we can go home."
"Home? But you warned me never to come back. I do not want to return to my madam."
Stanley stared at her in disbelief.
“Come on Ivy, that is ridiculous. Losing you again is something I could never bear. Eat something, then we go home,” he insisted.
"Thank you sir. Sorry, Stanley."
He smiled widely. "Where are your bags? I did not see them when I found you."
"They were stolen by some thieves before the street boys attacked me."
"What?" His face darkened. "Terrible. I do not even want to imagine what would have happened if I had not arrived in time."
Ivy lowered her head shyly. Stanley watched her with fascination, admiring her innocence.
He wanted to know if she had any feelings for him, so he pretended to twist his ankle and fell.
Ivy gasped and rushed to him instantly.
"Stan are you alright? Does it hurt?"
Her voice was full of worry.
Stanley looked at her and raised a brow. "You called me Stan. You did not call me sir and you did not even stammer."
Ivy blinked rapidly in confusion. "I am sorry. I did not mean to be rude."
He laughed softly. "Stop apologising. Help me up."
She helped him and he held her a moment longer than needed. Something warm passed between them.
Later that night, he drove her home. When they stepped in together, Grace, Bianca and Nkechi almost screamed in relief. They rushed to Ivy, hugging her tightly.
Grace looked at her son with a warm relieving smile. "You made the best choice," she said happily.
"I know," Stanley said gently, as though a heavy burden had been lifted off his shoulders. He quietly wished he could ask Ivy to sleep in his room, even if she slept far from him. He wanted to keep her close. But he held himself back and simply wished her a good night.
As soon as he left, Bianca and Nkechi knelt before Ivy with watery eyes.
"We are so sorry Ivy. We never meant to get you hurt."
Ivy panicked and tried to pull them up. "Please stand up. I am a nobody. I was never angry. You were only trying to help."
They exchanged mischievous glances and dragged her to their room like excited teenagers.
"Ivy, give us the full gist. Why did it take you both so long to return? And why is our brother smiling like a man who just won a lottery?"
Ivy blushed deeply. She narrated everything she remembered. They listened with wide eyes, shocked at the attack and full of guilt.
"But Ivy," Nkechi interrupted suddenly. "How did our brother act when you woke up? Do not even try to tell us he was not remorseful."
Ivy’s face glowed. She curled her toes and twisted her fingers shyly.
Bianca gasped dramatically. "Do not tell me you have feelings for my brother."
Ivy whispered quietly. "He kissed me."
Both sisters screamed and fell on the bed in excitement.
"Incredible. How did it feel? Was he good at it?" Bianca asked.
Ivy looked down shyly. "Stan is a good man. Only that..."
"Stan?" they chorused.
Ivy hid her face in a pillow.
"My God. You now call him Stan?" Nkechi shouted.
Ivy squealed in embarrassment.
Bianca clapped excitedly. "Indeed, your disappointment has turned into a blessing."
Nkechi laughed. "Ivy is in love. I cannot believe this."
Ivy refused to talk again, burying her face while they teased her until everyone eventually fell asleep, each drifting into sweet romantic dreams.
To Be Continued ✍️ ✍️ ✍️ #NeverLetGo #EpisodeEleven #AfterTheStorm #IvyAndStanley #EmotionalDrama #NigerianFiction #LoveAndRedemption #PlotTwist #FamilyDrama #WhatHappensNext
