When she remained silent, Mrs. Okrika began to gloat. “Do you believe me now?”
“No I don‘t. Edward may not have told me every detail of what transpired with you but I‘d rather believe him. He told me that you resented him and I can see that it is true. So much that you betrayed him and lied to your husband to get him sent to jail.”
“Why should I do that? I tell you he almost raped me and stole from us and you think I resent him? All I know is that he has to pay back!” The woman began to pace the room.
“Is that really why you don‘t want to leave him be? I think it started even before he was born. You were the one that told him, about who his father might be, right?”
“Yes, I knew Edward‘s father. What has that got to do with it?” Mrs. Okrika stopped and looked back at Gladys with wide eyes.
Gladys decided to hazard a guess. “The sins of the father must be visited on the son right? Edward said you recognized him the first day because he resembled his father. Maybe the man rejected you and then Edward did the same too. That is the payback you want...”
“What rubbish! Utter nonsense.” Mrs. Okrika stalked back to her chair and sat down.
“Then why are you here and not the police? Edward almost perished in a police cell, even though there was no evidence to press whatever charges you brought against him. You especially knew there was no proof because you framed him.”
“You must be out of your mind.” Mrs. Okrika rolled her eyes but her legs began to shake as a counterpoint to her speech. “Either Edward has you completely fooled or you‘re allowing his money to blind you. But hear this very well. He will pay back, no matter what.”
“Why won‘t you let him be? After his childhood surely he deserves some love…”
“And you actually imagine he has found love with you?” Mrs. Okrika shifted forward. “So why did he move out of the house to a hotel last night?”
Gladys felt her mouth fall open. “How did you know that?”
Her opponent smiled and relaxed. “You would like to know that wouldn‘t you? Well, it turns out that you are the betrayer now. You sold his shares to his rivals, didn‘t you?”