Chapter 1: “Useless Girl”The cold water hit my back before I heard her voice.“Useless girl! Are you scrubbing or bathing on my floor?”Madam’s gold heels clicked as she stood over me. My knees burned against the marble tiles. Blood mixed with the soapy water beneath me.Six months.Six months since my husband died and the hospital bills took everything from me.I kept my head down.“Sorry, Madam.”“Sorry won’t pay my bills,” she sneered. “My husband is coming home today with his business partners. This house must shine. If one speck of dust is left, you and your daughter are on the street.”My daughter.Ada Jr.She was only four years old and waiting for me in the boys’ quarters with nothing but garri to eat.I scrubbed harder, fighting back my tears. But they still fell into the bucket.I used to be a teacher.I used to have a name.Now, I was just “the maid.”The gate opened at exactly six in the evening.Black SUVs rolled into the compound. Three men in expensive suits stepped out.Then the last man appeared.My heart stopped.Damian Okafor.The richest man in Abuja.CEO of Okafor Holdings.And the man who owned this house.He walked past me without even looking in my direction.But then he stopped.“What is this?”His voice was ice cold.Madam rushed forward.“Nothing, sir. Just the maid. She’s clumsy. I’ll fire her if—”“Let me see her face,” Damian said.I slowly stood up, my hands shaking as water dripped from my apron.When I raised my eyes, his cold expression cracked for just one second.He knew me.And I knew him.Three years ago, he had been my student in night class.Before life broke us both.His eyes moved to my bleeding knees before returning to Madam.“You’re fired,” he said.But he wasn’t looking at me.“Excuse me, sir?” Madam’s voice trembled.“Not her,” Damian said, his eyes still fixed on me. “You. Pack your things. This house has a new manager starting tomorrow.”Madam’s face went pale.Damian turned to me.“What’s your name?”I swallowed hard.“Ada. Ada Nwosu.”Damian nodded once.“Come to my office tomorrow. 9 a.m.”He paused.“We’re going to talk about second chances.”Then he walked away.And for the first time in six months…I didn’t cry.[End of Chapter 1]Author’s Note:What do you think will happen at Damian’s office? 👀Will Ada get a second chance, or is Damian hiding something from her?Comment below! ❤️Next update tomorrow!