SHE DISAPPEARED PREGNANT AFTER THE RICH FAMILY DESTROYED HER LIFE—BUT THE SECRET SHE LEFT BEHIND WOULD BRING THEM ALL TO THEIR KNEES

The voice outside belonged to Esther.

For six years, Esther had worked as the senior housekeeper in Mr. Andrews's mansion.

She had witnessed everything.

She knew how Lucia insulted Amanda.

She knew how often the young woman went without meals.

She knew that James and Amanda had secretly planned a future together.

And most frightening of all, she knew what had happened on the night Amanda ran away.

Sister Grace noticed Amanda's fear.

"Do you know this woman?"

Amanda nodded.

"Yes."

"Do you want to see her?"

"No."

Sister Grace immediately turned toward the hallway.

"Then she needs to leave."

Before she could reach the door, Esther stepped into view.

"Amanda, please. I only need five minutes."

Amanda's voice trembled.

"How did you find me?"

Esther glanced at Sister Grace.

"I followed a lead from the clinic."

Amanda felt sick.

The stranger who had been asking questions about her suddenly made sense.

"You've been looking for me?"

Esther nodded.

"Please listen."

"Did Lucia send you?"

"No."

"Then why are you here?"

Esther's eyes filled with tears.

"Because I can't sleep anymore."

Sister Grace moved between them.

"You need to leave unless Amanda agrees to speak with you."

Amanda remained silent.

She remembered Esther standing nearby when Lucia humiliated her.

Sometimes Esther had looked uncomfortable.

Occasionally, she had slipped Amanda a piece of bread.

But she had never openly defended her.

Amanda didn't know whether to trust her now.

Finally, she spoke.

"Five minutes. Here, with Sister Grace."

Esther agreed.

They sat in a small meeting room.

Esther placed her handbag on the table and took out a folded document.

"Amanda, I'm sorry."

Amanda looked away.

"I've heard those words before."

"I know."

Esther's voice shook.

"I watched that woman mistreat you, and I did nothing because I was afraid of losing my job."

Amanda remained silent.

"I convinced myself that giving you food secretly was enough. But it wasn't."

"No," Amanda whispered. "It wasn't."

Esther wiped her eyes.

"After you left, Mr. Andrews started asking questions. He discovered some things your employer had hidden."

Amanda frowned.

"What things?"

"Receipts. Medical bills. Money."

Amanda became confused.

Esther continued.

"Do you remember the envelope James gave you three weeks before you disappeared?"

Amanda nodded.

It had contained money for prenatal appointments and supplies.

James had asked her to use it while he arranged their move.

But the envelope disappeared from Amanda's room the following morning.

When she confronted Lucia, the woman accused her of inventing the story.

"Lucia took it," Esther said quietly.

Amanda stared.

"I suspected that."

"She did more than that."

Esther opened the document.

Inside was a photocopy of a transfer instruction.

Amanda read it.

Then she read it again.

Her name appeared on the page.

So did an unfamiliar bank account.

"What is this?"

"Lucia had access to money Mr. Andrews set aside for your education and medical care. She told him the money had been transferred into an account for you."

Amanda looked stunned.

"I never received anything."

"I know."

"How much?"

Esther lowered her voice.

"Several million naira."

Amanda felt dizzy.

The money could have covered her prenatal care.

It could have helped her return to school.

It could have prevented the desperate nights she had spent sleeping outside.

"Why would she do that?"

Esther shook her head.

"I believe she wanted everyone to think you were irresponsible. She told Mr. Andrews you had wasted the money."

Amanda pressed her hands against her face.

"She told me I was ungrateful."

Esther began crying.

"I'm so sorry."

Amanda lowered her hands.

"Why are you telling me now?"

"Because last week, I overheard Lucia speaking to a man. She wanted him to find you."

Amanda's breathing quickened.

"Who was he?"

"I don't know his full name. She called him Collins."

Sister Grace quietly reached for her phone.

Esther continued.

"He asked whether you were still pregnant. Lucia told him she didn't care what happened to you, as long as you never returned to claim a place in the Andrews family."

Amanda's eyes filled with tears.

"But I don't want their money."

Esther leaned forward.

"This isn't about money anymore. Lucia is afraid you can expose what she did."

Sister Grace spoke firmly.

"We're going to document everything you're telling us."

Esther nodded.

"I'll cooperate."

Amanda stared at the documents.

For weeks, she had blamed herself.

She had wondered whether she was foolish for trusting James, foolish for becoming pregnant, foolish for believing wealthy people would accept her.

But now she saw something clearly.