His Only Wife

Afi tells Eli that she is pregnant. She remains seated throughout the conversation. Eli touches her stomach, and they say they love each other. Afi hopes the pregnancy will change things between them. Her mother and in-laws are convinced it will. Afi feels even more encouraged when she visits the doctor and learns the baby is a boy. Eli is thrilled to learn this news, too. He starts fawning over Afi and suggests that they get a maid to help her around the house during her pregnancy. Afi suggests that they wait until she moves into his main house. Eli hesitates and Afi gets upset. She insists that if he does not make a change in their situation, she will leave him and return to Ho to be with Olivia.

The next day, Afi visits Evelyn and informs her that she is returning to Ho. Evelyn understands that Afi is upset but suggests that she accept her life the way it is. Eli is a good and wealthy husband, and Afi loves him. Afi argues that because she loves him she “can’t share him with another woman” (175).

Olivia is furious when Afi shows up in Ho unannounced.