I Rejected the Richest Guy in Church—Here’s Why I Don’t Regret It: Episode 18

I Rejected the Richest Guy in Church—Here’s Why I Don’t Regret It: Episode 18

EPISODE 18: Smoke and Mirrors

I didn’t cry.

Not once.

Not even after Grace laid it all out—the bet, the manipulation, the charm offensive, the money, the way he handpicked his prey and lured them with a false image of godliness. I didn’t cry.

I was too stunned for tears.

Too angry.

Too grateful.

Grateful that the Holy Spirit had whispered loud enough that moment. That I didn’t say “yes” out of pressure or flattery. That something deeper had told me to wait, to hold back.

Because if I hadn’t… I’d be telling a very different story now.

I sat across from Grace in that dim corner of Sade’s Café, my hands wrapped around my cold drink, untouched. The noise of clinking mugs and casual laughter around us faded into a dull blur.

I stared at her. “Why are you helping me?”

She exhaled. “Because I was you.”

Her voice cracked, but she steadied it quickly.

“I met Charles a year ago. Not in church—on Instagram. He slid into my DMs, said he was new in town and looking for a church. I invited him to mine. He came twice, played the sweet guy role. I didn’t know it was all just research for him. He wanted to study the church system… pick the right place to begin.”

She shook her head. “After he ghosted me, I found out through a friend that he had moved on to another girl in another church. And another. And another. I started connecting the dots. Different churches, same pattern. Same lines.”

My stomach turned. “So this is what he does?”

Grace nodded. “It’s a game to him. A twisted bet with his friends—one they fund and cheer on. He picks girls who are passionate, visible, or connected. Girls who love God. Girls who would never believe a guy like him could lie in Jesus’ name.”

I sat back, heart pounding. “And what about the pastor? The church elders? How come no one sees this?”

Grace gave a bitter laugh. “Charles knows how to play people. He gives. He volunteers. He sows seeds. He plays humble. You know how easy it is to gain favor in a place where people mistake charisma for character?”

I looked away, thinking of how everyone greeted him like royalty. Of how even I, once upon a time, felt safe around him.

I had almost said yes.

I had almost let him into my world. My heart.

“Why now?” I asked. “Why warn me now?”

Grace paused before answering. “Because you’re the first one who didn’t fall. You said no. And that scared him. He doesn’t like losing. And I’ve been watching him closely ever since.”

I blinked. “So you’ve been following him?”

“No,” she said. “But I’ve been tracking patterns. And the moment he started targeting your church, I knew I had to speak up. I didn’t know how close you two were until someone told me he proposed to another girl in his church on a Sunday service.

I swallowed hard. “So what now?”

Grace looked straight into my eyes. “Now, you be smart. He’s going to try again. Not to win you over—but to save face. He’ll twist the story, try to look like the victim. He might even try to embarrass you, or make people doubt your side. Don’t react. Don’t explain. Just be still. Let God fight.”

I nodded slowly. I wasn’t going to expose him with my mouth. No.

I’d let time reveal him. Let truth cut deeper than any accusation ever could.

“I just feel sick,” I whispered. “Like… I gave him access. I listened. I admired him.”

Grace reached across the table and touched my hand. “You’re not weak, Chinaza. You were discerning. That’s why you didn’t fall for it fully. The Holy Spirit protected you.”

I looked at her again—really looked this time. She wasn’t just some girl with a warning. She was a warrior. A survivor.

And now, so was I.

As we stood to leave, she gave me a tight hug. “Stay safe. And whatever happens next, don’t let this define you.”

I nodded, my voice steady. “I won’t.”

I walked out of Sade’s Café that evening with a strange sense of calm.

I knew this wasn’t over.

Charles would make a move soon.

But this time… I’d be ready.

To be continued…