To restore my marriage, I had to go deep. I had to ask myself hard questions. I had to look at the man I had become. I cheated. I neglected her. I was chasing dreams while she was building a life without me.

She was taking records. She was collecting pain. And slowly, I became someone she couldn’t recognise. I didn’t see it happening. But one day, she looked at me, and I saw the truth in her eyes. She had become comfortable without me.

To bring her back, I had to start over. I had to detox from everything I used to be. It was not easy. But healing never is.

— Ninalowo Bolanle