“GET OUT OF MY HOUSE, PROSTITUTE. I DON’T EVER WANT TO SEE YOU AROUND THIS PLACE AGAIN.”

[Laughter]

Nathan Douglas, a billionaire who could afford almost anything in this world—the most expensive and fastest cars, newly built skyscrapers, private jets, and luxuries beyond imagination. Yet there was one thing he could not buy. The one thing that truly completes a man: a good woman.

He had already had more than enough wicked women—gold diggers who loved only what he had and what he could offer, women attracted to his wealth and social status, not to him. And then there was his ex-fiancée, Michelle, a woman who had hurt him immeasurably in ways he had never been able to tell anyone. She was also the woman his mother had been relentlessly trying to force back into his life.

Nathan lowered his eyes to the card in his hands. It was an invitation to his mother’s fiftieth birthday celebration. The invitation was formal, clearly designed so he would have no excuse to decline.

Nathan exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening. He knew his mother’s agenda. He could already picture the evening: Michelle appearing somewhere in the crowd, his mother smiling proudly as if she had orchestrated a grand reunion.

But he would not allow it.

Still, what could he do? He had to find a way to escape his mother’s matchmaking once again.

On the other side of the state, Catherine stepped out of the small house, fully dressed. Her aunt and the woman’s two daughters stood outside in the compound.

“Auntie, I’m ready,” Catherine said happily, smoothing down her gown.

“Ready for where?” her aunt asked sarcastically.

The two girls beside her burst into giggles, covering their mouths as they stared at Catherine’s oversized gown.

“For the carnival, Auntie. I heard from Susan that it’s today.”

“And so?” her aunt snapped sharply. “The carnival is today, and you want to go where? Look at this stupid girl. I can see you’re starting to grow wings.”

She shook her head in irritation.

“If not for my late husband, whose only wish was that I keep you here, I would have chased you out of this house long ago.”

Catherine lowered her eyes quietly.

“Go and sell those bags of sachet water I bought from Mama Ejiro,” the woman continued harshly. “There are twenty bags. Make sure you sell everything.”

She clicked her tongue.

“Nonsense girl.”

Then she turned to her daughters.

“Let’s go.”

The three of them walked out of the compound, their laughter fading as they disappeared down the street.

Catherine remained standing there, silently watching them leave.

The last time she had attended the carnival was when her father was still alive. Though he had not been her biological father, he had loved her like his own child ever since he found her abandoned in a dustbin when she was a baby. He had taken her in, raised her, and made sure she was cared for.

But when his business started having problems, everything began to change. His wife started mistreating her. Even on his deathbed, his only request to his wife had been simple: that she should never send Catherine away.

But after his death, Auntie Carol made sure Catherine’s life in that house became a living hell. She was forced to hawk on the streets, carrying bags of sachet water and selling them under the hot sun throughout the city.

Nathan was driving along the road when suddenly his car sputtered and stopped. He had endured a long, exhausting day and couldn’t wait to get home. And now this car wanted to make his evening even longer.

He managed to pull over to the side, opened the bonnet, and saw the engine overheating. He needed water fast.

Just then, Catherine appeared from the roadside, shouting loudly, “Cold sachet water!”

Nathan waved her over.

She hurried closer and held out the water.

“Good afternoon, sir. The water is 250 naira each, sir,” she said politely.

Nathan gestured toward the car.

“Pour everything into my car.”

Catherine smiled nervously, but obeyed.

As she poured, Nathan watched her carefully.

When the two bags she carried were nearly empty, he said, “Keep going. Pour it all in.”

When she finished, Nathan handed her the money.

She beamed brightly.

“Thank you, sir.”

“Why are you so happy?” Nathan asked, curiosity softening his tone.

“Today has been amazing,” she replied, her smile lighting up her face. “God has been helping me. I’ve sold almost all the bags my aunt told me to sell.”

Nathan’s chest tightened at the sincerity in her voice. Her joy was contagious, bright enough to soften even a hardened man.

“How many more bags do you have?” he asked.

“Twelve more,” she replied.

“I’ll pay for all of them,” Nathan said slowly. “But I have a job for you.”

Catherine’s eyes widened.

“A job? What kind of job, sir?”

“It’s simple,” Nathan explained. “I want you to pretend to be my fiancée at my mother’s fiftieth birthday. I’ll pay you handsomely.”

Catherine blinked, suspicion flickering in her eyes.

“How much is ‘handsomely’?”

“Five hundred thousand naira,” he said calmly.

Her mouth fell open.

“No, sir. I can’t.”

Nathan frowned.

“Why not?”

“You are a ritualist,” she said firmly, stepping back, her voice final. “I will not fall victim to you.”

She turned to leave, but Nathan called after her.

“Wait, please wait. I promise you, I’m not a ritualist. I’m just a businessman.”

Catherine hesitated, doubt battling fear in her mind.

He handed her a card.

“Take this. Call me, please.”

She stared at it for a long moment. She knew she wouldn’t call him.

Quietly, she slipped it into her bag and resumed her hawking.

Later that evening, Catherine returned to the compound. Auntie Carol sat rigidly on the bench outside the house, her posture tense, eyes sharp as if she were ready to pounce. Her two daughters flanked her like guards.

“Prostitute!” one of the daughters spat, her voice dripping with disgust.

Catherine froze, her heart pounding, unsure who they meant.

“Good evening, Auntie Carol,” she said cautiously.

Carol sprang to her feet, almost grabbing her. Catherine stumbled back quickly, narrowly avoiding her grasp.

“So, you want to start prostitution in my house?” Auntie Carol hissed.

Catherine shook her head, bewildered.

“Auntie, what are you talking about?”

“You’ve started going out with men when I send you to sell pure water and better your life. Mama and Ketchi saw you coming out of a man’s car today.”

“No, Auntie, it’s not like that. The man was—”

“So there was a man,” Carol’s second daughter interrupted sharply.

“It’s true. You’re sleeping with men under my nose?” Auntie Carol cried, her hands flailing.

“Auntie, I can explain. It’s not what you think. He was just—”

“Shut up!” Auntie Carol snapped, silencing her instantly. “Your days in this house are over.”

“Dara,” she called to her first daughter, “bring out her bag.”

The daughter dragged a small bag from the corner and threw it at Catherine.

Catherine sank to her knees, tears streaming down her face.

“Auntie, please. I have nowhere else to go.”

“Mommy, you haven’t collected the money from her yet,” the second daughter said.

“Give me my money,” Auntie Carol demanded sharply.

Catherine reached into her bag, pulled out the money, and handed it over.

“Now carry your useless self and get out of my house!” Auntie Carol roared.

“I always knew the daughter of a prostitute would become a prostitute. When my husband picked you from the dustbin, I warned him, but he refused to listen. Mark, have you seen the girl you were protecting? That madness ends today. Get out! And if I ever set my eyes on you again, you’ll only have yourself to blame.”

Catherine turned and walked out of the compound, tears blurring her vision.

She walked and walked, night falling around her like a heavy blanket.

She had nowhere else. No one else. Her family was gone, her father was dead, and the streets were cold and unwelcoming.

What would become of her? Who could she turn to?

She reached into her small bag for her phone, and her eyes fell on Nathan’s card—the man who had been the beginning of her trouble. Yet something about the way he had spoken made her believe he was not a ritualist.

At that moment, he was her only option.

She whispered a quick prayer to the only God she trusted.

“Daddy, I know you’re watching me from heaven. Please protect me.”

Catherine dialed the number and held her breath as it rang.

“I… I’m the sachet-water seller,” she said quietly when Nathan picked up.

Soon, Nathan arrived at her location.

Catherine was already drenched from the rain.

He didn’t ask what had happened as he took her bag from her hands, but from the corner of his eye he could see her sorrow—the weight of her life etched into her posture, in the slump of her shoulders, in the way her eyes avoided his.

He knew this woman had been through a lot.

When they reached his house, Nathan led her inside.

“This is your room,” he said. “Everything you’ll need is already here. I’ll speak with you tomorrow morning.”

And with that, he left.

Catherine stood there for a moment, taking in the warmth of the room.

She didn’t know what the future held, but she was thankful for a soft bed. For once, she wouldn’t have to sleep on the hard floor in the back corridor, where the cold nearly froze her every night.

For that night, she was grateful.

The next morning, Nathan and Catherine sat together in the living room.

“My mother’s fiftieth birthday is this weekend,” Nathan began. “I need you to look the part. In the next few days, I’ll teach you everything you need to know about class and society. I’ll help change how you look and act so that you’ll match the kind of woman I want by my side.”

That same day, Nathan took her to a boutique. He bought her several outfits and matching shoes, each carefully selected. He also hired a young man who called himself the King of Fashion. Over the next few days, he taught Catherine everything she would need, from posture and etiquette to the subtleties of conversation and style.

On the fourth day, Nathan and Catherine sat again in the living room.

“It’s tomorrow,” Nathan said, his voice serious. “My mother will try to throw you off balance, but I need you to remain calm. Keep your composure no matter what.”

Meanwhile, back at the compound, Dara, Auntie Carol’s second daughter, complained.

“Mommy, you shouldn’t have sent her away like that. I’m hungry. Who will cook now?”

“Let a prostitute stay under my roof? That will not happen,” Auntie Carol barked. “And you girls are even talking about food? Who will now sell pure water at the market? Do you know it’s the money she earns that I use to buy good soap for you?”

“I think we made a mistake,” the first daughter admitted softly. “We should start looking for her.”

“I know she’s out there somewhere, probably begging. I’ll talk to the women near my shop tomorrow,” the mother added.

The day had finally arrived.

Nathan and Catherine walked into the house already buzzing with guests. With Catherine by his side, Nathan made his way to his mother’s table, where Michelle was also seated. Michelle’s eyes filled with daggers as she stared at Catherine.

“Who do we have here?” Nathan’s mother said, smiling at Catherine. “What is your name?”

“Catherine, Ma,” Catherine replied politely.

“I don’t think I know who your mother is,” she said sarcastically.

Catherine smiled and shook her head slightly.

“You don’t know her. She is late.”

“And your father?”

“Mother, is this too early? Give my guest a moment,” Nathan interjected gently.

Nathan’s mother smiled dryly.

“Of course. Catherine, have you met Michelle?” she asked sweetly, turning toward Michelle. “This is Michelle White, daughter of the prominent Sir White, owner of one of the largest oil companies. In other words, a multi-billionaire.”

Catherine simply offered a polite smile.

“So, what school did you attend?” his mother asked.

Catherine almost choked on the water she had just taken.

“I—”

“She graduated from King’s College,” Nathan said quickly.

“Allow her to answer for herself,” his mother said, correcting him. “Since you graduated from King’s College, you must know Professor Madu.”

Catherine looked at Nathan nervously and nodded.

“Yes, Ma. He was a good man.”

Nathan’s mother laughed lightly.

“So Professor Madu is a man, hmm?”

Her expression darkened.

“Nathan, why are you doing this to yourself? I raised you better than this. So you brought this gold digger from the pit of hell here, while a good woman, an educated woman from a prestigious family, was right here.”

“Professor Madu is a woman,” Catherine whispered under her breath, tears beginning to sting her eyes.

Nathan noticed, and his chest tightened.

Michelle stood and approached him, her voice soft and coaxing.

“Nathan, baby, I know you’re angry with me, but I’m sorry. Please, let’s go back to how we used to be.”

Catherine couldn’t stay.

She stood and ran out of the room, tears flowing freely.

“Mother, I am highly disappointed in you,” Nathan said, rising to his feet. “You want me to settle down with Michelle? The woman who slept with my friend Joshua?” His voice trembled with anger. “The woman who constantly spreads lies about me? This is the woman you want me to settle down with? I am disappointed.”

He turned and walked away, leaving the room in shocked silence.

The drive back to his house was quiet.

Nathan stole glances at Catherine from the corner of his eye. He could see her tears and hear her soft sobs, and it broke his heart.

When they arrived, Nathan went into the living room while Catherine walked out with her bag.

“I’m sorry for the inconvenience. I’m sorry I ruined your evening, but I have to go,” she said quietly.

Nathan remained silent as she turned to leave.

“Wait, please don’t go,” he called, rushing after her.

He took her hand gently.

“I don’t know your story, but I want to be part of it. These past few days, I’ve realized it was fate that brought us together. Please give me a chance to get to know you better.”

Tears streamed down her face, and Nathan pulled her into a warm hug.

Meanwhile, back at the compound, Dara was vomiting, and Auntie Carol stormed in.

“You see how useless you both are? Your sister already had an abortion and lost her life, and you are pregnant for God knows who. Useless children of a useless father. I curse the day I gave birth to you all.”

Just then, a car drove into the compound.

Auntie Carol stepped back in shock as Catherine stepped out—transformed, elegant, beautiful, and confident.

Dara’s jaw dropped.

“Auntie,” Catherine said calmly.

“How? How come?” Auntie Carol asked, eyes wide.

“God has been merciful,” Catherine replied with a soft smile. “I came because I remember Daddy. No matter what has happened, he was the best father anyone could ever ask for. And because he is no longer here, I decided that giving his family thanks is the best I can do.”

She handed them a bundle of money.

Auntie Carol collected it, tears streaming down her cheeks. She dropped to her knees.

“Catherine, I am so sorry for everything I did to you. Please forgive us. Kletchi is dead.”

Catherine’s body shook at the news of Kletchi’s death, but there was nothing she could do.

“I am sorry for your loss,” she said softly, her voice filled with pain.

Then, without another word, she entered the car and drove off.

Auntie Carol fell to the ground and cried bitterly.

The rejected stone had finally become the cornerstone.

Catherine, once the powerless girl forced to sell sachet water on the streets, had returned transformed. She was no longer the child they could push around, no longer the one who begged for scraps or tolerated insults.

The rejected stone had become the cornerstone.

As the car pulled away, Catherine looked back once, her eyes calm and resolute. She carried no hatred, only a quiet strength and the knowledge that she had honored her father’s memory.

Sometimes the world breaks you. Sometimes it tries to bury you. But sometimes it also shows you how to rise stronger than ever.