Bedford Beauty
"Prison chaplain Adaobi brings faith to inmates—but the thick Nigerian businesswoman serving white-collar time brings something else entirely to their private counseling sessions."
Chisom Nwosu had embezzled millions.
She was also brilliant, repentant, and devastatingly beautiful.
"I want to find peace," she told Chaplain Adaobi.
"That's why I'm here."
"Is it?" Those eyes held something beyond spiritual. "Or is there another reason we keep meeting?"
The counseling sessions grew longer.
More personal. More charged.
"I miss being touched," Chisom admitted. "Not just physically. Seen. Wanted."
"God sees you."
"Does He? Or do you?"
The question hung between them.
"This would cost me everything," Adaobi said.
"I know." Chisom moved closer. "But isn't faith about taking risks?"
"This isn't faith."
"It could be." Her hand found Adaobi's. "Faith in connection. In humanity. In this moment."
"You're manipulating me."
"I'm being honest. For the first time in years."
In the private counseling room, they crossed every line.
Adaobi surrendered to the very sin she counseled against. Chisom showed her that some rules were meant for breaking.
"Forgive me," Adaobi whispered.
"For what? For being human?" Chisom kissed her forehead. "I absolve you."
The affair continued through Chisom's sentence.
Risky. Wrong. Irresistible.
"What happens when I'm released?" Chisom asked.
"I don't know."
"I do." She pulled Adaobi close. "I find you. Wherever you are."
"And then?"
"And then we stop hiding."
Chisom's release came after eighteen months.
Adaobi had resigned by then, unable to continue the pretense.
They met outside the prison gates.
"Now what?" Adaobi asked.
"Now we build something real." Chisom took her hand. "No bars. No secrets. Just us."
Bedford had seen many conversions.
This one was the most complete.