Excuse me, ma’am. I just wanted to ask. Poor maid who sleeps outside at night met a billionaire that took her in as a wife. She sleeps on cardboard outside a closed shop until the man she once helped in secret steps out of a black SUV and changes everything. The morning sun pushed through a gap in the curtains, painting a bright stripe across Aid’s face.

 He blinked, his eyes feeling heavy and gritty. A quick glance at the clock on his bedside table made his heart jump. It was already 7:00. He was late again. “Ada,” he called out, his voice rough with sleep. He threw off the covers and rushed out of his room. The living room in his ley apartment was a mess.

 Plates from last night’s dinner sat on the coffee table. A stack of his workpapers had spilled onto the floor. He promised himself every night that he would clean up, but by the time he got home from his job as an architect, he was too tired to do anything but fall onto the sofa. He pushed open the door to his daughter’s room.

 Ada, who was only 8, was already dressed, but she was sitting on the edge of her bed with a sad look on her face. She was not wearing her school uniform. “Good morning, my dear,” Aid said, trying to sound cheerful. “Why aren’t you in your uniform?” Aida looked down at her feet. “It’s dirty, Daddy. All of them are.” Aid’s chest felt tight.

 He had forgotten to do the laundry for the third time this week. He ran a hand over his bald head, feeling a wave of guilt wash over him. Ever since his wife Stella had left a year ago, it felt like he was always forgetting something. He was trying his best, but his best never seemed to be enough. He was a good architect.

 He designed beautiful buildings that stood tall all over Laros, but at home he couldn’t even manage to keep his daughter’s clothes clean. I’m so sorry, Ada,” he said softly. He went to her closet and pulled out a simple dress. “Wear this for today. I promise I will wash your uniforms as soon as I get home tonight.” Ada didn’t say anything. She just took the dress and slowly began to change.

 Aid went to the kitchen to try and make breakfast. He opened the fridge and saw only a carton of eggs and a small piece of yam. He had forgotten to go to the market, too. He managed to fry an egg, but it came out a little burnt around the edges. He put it on a plate with a slice of bread and carried it to the dining table.

 Ada came out of her room, her school bag slung over her shoulder. She looked small and unhappy in her regular clothes. “Eat quickly, my love. We are very late,” Aid said, trying not to let his own stress show. “Ada picked at her food.” “Daddy,” she said in a small voice. “I have a big test today in mathematics.” Aid closed his eyes.

 Of course, the one day she needed everything to be perfect was the day he messed everything up. He felt a terrible weight settle in his stomach. He was failing her. He was failing as a father. “It’s okay,” he lied, forcing a smile. “Just do your best. That’s all that matters. He knew it wasn’t okay.

 Her teacher would ask why she wasn’t in uniform. Her friends might make fun of her.” He was sending his daughter into a difficult day, and it was all his fault. After a quick silent breakfast, he grabbed his car keys. The drive to her school was tense. The usual Laros traffic on the Leki Epe Expressway was even worse than normal.

 Horns blared from Danfo buses and private cars. Aid gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white. When they finally arrived at the school gate, Aida didn’t even say goodbye. She just opened the door and ran towards her classroom, her head down. Aid watched her go, his heart aching.

 He knew she was trying to avoid being seen by her friends. He let out a long heavy sigh and was about to drive away when he saw his best friend Fei pull up beside him. Femi rolled down his window and his face was full of concern. “Are they my man?” Femi said, his voice serious. “We need to talk.” Aid knew this was not going to be a pleasant conversation.

 Femi followed Aid back to his apartment. As soon as they stepped inside, Femy’s eyes swept over the messy living room. He didn’t say anything, but his silence was louder than words. Aid felt a fresh wave of shame. He knew his home looked like a place where hope had given up.

 “Do you want some water?” Aid asked, moving to clear a space on the sofa. Femi shook his head. He sat down in one of the clean armchairs, his expression grim. “I’m not here for water,” Aid. “I came to see you because I’m worried.” Aid sat down on the sofa, feeling tired to his bones. “Worried about what?” he asked, though he already knew the answer.

 About you? About Adah? Femi said, leaning forward. I just dropped my son at school and I saw Ada running into her class. She wasn’t in her uniform, man. She looked so sad. Ad looked away, staring at a crack in the wall. I know. I forgot to do the laundry. It’s not just the laundry, aid, Fei continued, his voice firm, but not unkind. It’s everything.

 When was the last time you had a proper meal? When was the last time you took Ada to the park? You look exhausted. You’re working all the time, and when you’re not working, you’re just sitting here lost in your thoughts. Aid felt a spark of anger. It was easy for Fei to judge. Femi had a wife who managed his home and took care of his children.

 Femi didn’t know what it was like to be alone, to carry the weight of everything on his own shoulders. “You don’t understand,” Aid said, his voice low. Then make me understand, Fei insisted. I’m your best friend. I’ve known you since we were boys in Ibadan. I know you’re still hurting because Stella left. But you can’t let that pain destroy you and your daughter’s life. Aida needs you, Aid.

She needs her father. The anger in Aid’s chest faded, replaced by a deep, aching sadness. Femi was right. He was so caught up in his own grief that he was becoming a ghost in his own home. He was there, but he wasn’t really present for Ada. I’m trying Femi, he whispered. I really am, but I’m so tired.

 By the time I get home, I have no energy left. I fell asleep on the sofa last night. Ada had to wake me up this morning. Femy’s expression softened. He saw the genuine pain in his friend’s eyes. I know you’re trying, my brother, but you can’t do this alone. It’s too much for one person. Adi ran his hands over his face.

What am I supposed to do? I can’t quit my job. No one is asking you to quit your job, Fei said gently. But you need help. You need someone to manage the house, to cook the meals, to make sure Aida’s uniforms are clean and ready for school. A looked up confused.

 Who? My mother is in the village and she’s too old. I’m talking about a nanny, aid, Femi said. a good reliable housekeeper who can take care of things here so you can focus on your work and more importantly on being a father to Adah when you’re home. Aid shook his head immediately. A stranger in my house. No, I don’t want that. I don’t trust anyone.

 The thought of another woman in the space that Stella had once occupied made him feel uncomfortable. Not all women are like Stella, Fei said softly but firmly. There are good people out there. My cousin runs an agency. She finds very good, trustworthy domestic staff. Let me talk to her. Let me find someone for you. Aid was silent for a long time.

 He looked around his messy living room, at the stacks of unwashed plates, at the dust gathering on the shelves. He thought of Adah’s sad face that morning. He knew he couldn’t continue like this. Something had to change. Finally, he looked at Fei and nodded slowly. “Okay,” he said, his voice barely a whisper. “Okay, find someone.” Femi smiled. a look of relief on his face.

 I will, my brother. I promise we will fix this. A tiny part of Aid felt a flicker of hope. Maybe Fei was right. Maybe help was what he needed. But another larger part of him was filled with doubt. Could a stranger really fix the broken pieces of his life? That evening, Aid made a special effort.

 He left work a little earlier than usual and stopped at a small market in Leki to buy fresh fish and vegetables. He was determined to cook a proper meal for Ada. He wanted to make up for the terrible morning. The aroma of fried fish and jolof rice soon filled the apartment, masking the smell of stale air.

 When Ada came home from her after school lessons, she looked surprised to see the table set and dinner ready. “Wow, Daddy, you cooked,” she said, a small smile touching her lips for the first time that day. “Of course, my love,” Aid said, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. “Sit down. Let’s eat. But as they sat at the table, the smile on Adidah’s face slowly faded.

 She pushed the rice around her plate with her fork, but didn’t take a single bite. “What’s wrong? Don’t you like it?” Aid asked, his own appetite disappearing. Ada shook her head. “It’s nice, Daddy.” “Then why aren’t you eating?” he pressed gently. Aa looked down at her plate, her lower lip trembling. A tear rolled down her cheek and splashed onto the table.

 “Honey, what is it?” aid asked, his voice full of worry. He reached across the table and took her small hand in his. My friends at school laughed at me. She whispered, her voice choked with tears. They said my dress was ugly. They asked why I wasn’t wearing my uniform. I told them you forgot to wash it. Aids heart felt like a heavy stone in his chest.

 He had known this would happen. He had let her down. I am so so sorry, Ada. It was my fault. It won’t happen again. I promise. But Adah’s sadness was deeper than just the embarrassment at school. She looked up at him, her big brown eyes filled with a pain that seemed too large for her small face.

 “I miss Mommy,” she said, and the words were like a punch to Aid’s gut. “When mommy was here, my uniforms were always clean. She used to plat my hair every morning. Aid felt helpless. He didn’t know what to say. He missed Stella, too, but his missing her was complicated. It was tangled with anger and betrayal.

 Stella had not just left him. She had abandoned them. She had chosen a different life, one that didn’t include being a wife or a mother. He had tried to protect Ada from the truth, telling her that her mother had to travel for a very long job. “I know you do, my love,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.

 He pulled her into his arms, holding her tight as she cried against his chest. Her small body shook with sobs, and Aid felt his own eyes grow wet. He rocked her gently, whispering promises that he wasn’t sure he could keep. It’s going to be okay. I’ll do better. I promise. That night, as he tucked Aida into bed, she was still quiet and withdrawn. She didn’t ask for a bedtime story. She just turned to face the wall. Her small shoulders slumped in defeat.

 Aid stood in the doorway of her room for a long time, watching her. The silence in the apartment was deafening. He realized that the house wasn’t just messy. It was empty. It was missing the laughter and warmth that a family should have. He walked back into the living room and slumped onto the sofa. He picked up his phone and saw a message from Fei.

 I found someone. Her name is Grace. She can come for an interview tomorrow. She has excellent references. Aid stared at the message. A nanny. A stranger. He still wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do. But as he thought of Aidah’s tears and her whispered words, “I miss mommy. He knew he had no other choice.

He couldn’t fix the past. He couldn’t bring Stella back. And even if he could, he wouldn’t. But maybe, just maybe, he could start to build a better present for his daughter. He typed back a short reply to Fei. Tell her to come. He made a silent promise to his sleeping daughter. He would fix this for her.

 The next day, Aid arranged to work from home in the afternoon so he could meet the nanny candidate. He was nervous. His heart was a tight knot of skepticism and hope. He wanted this to work for Adida’s sake, but he was afraid of letting someone new into their broken little world. At exactly 2:00, the doorbell rang.

 Aid took a deep breath and opened the door. Standing there was a woman who looked to be in her late 20s. She was neatly dressed in a simple blouse and skirt, her hair pulled back in a tidy braid. She had a calm, kind face. “Good afternoon, sir,” she said, her voice polite. My name is Grace. I’m here for the interview.

 Aid recognized her immediately. She was the woman he had seen outside Adah’s school a few weeks ago, the one who had stayed with Ada when he was stuck in traffic and running late. She had been so patient and kind to his daughter. “Please come in,” Aid said, a little of his tension easing.

 He led her into the living room, which he had made an effort to tidy up that morning. They sat down, and Aid tried to be professional. He asked her about her experience, her qualifications, and why she wanted the job. Grace answered each question calmly and confidently. She had worked for two other families in Lagos, and she had glowing letters of recommendation. Why did you leave your last job? Aid asked, trying to find a floor.

 The family relocated to the UK, sir, she explained. They wanted me to come with them, but my own family is here in Nigeria. Aid nodded, impressed by her loyalty. He looked at her, really looked at her and saw a quiet strength in her eyes. She didn’t seem like someone who would run away when things got tough.

 “This job is not easy,” Aid found himself saying, his voice more honest than he intended. “My my daughter’s mother is not with us. It’s just the two of us. The house is often a mess. I work long hours, Ada.” She has been very sad lately. Grace listened without interrupting. Her gaze was full of empathy. I understand, sir,” she said softly. “Children need stability. They need routine, and they need to know they are loved.

” Her words struck a chord with aid. It was exactly what he had been failing to provide. He felt a sudden, surprising urge to trust her. “This woman, this stranger, seemed to understand his family’s pain without him needing to spell it out.” “You’re hired,” he said, the words coming out before he could second-guess them.

 Grace looked a little surprised by his quick decision, but she smiled. “Thank you, sir. I promise I will do my best for you and your daughter. I have some rules,” Aid said, trying to regain his professional composure. “You will be responsible for all the housekeeping, cooking, and laundry. You will help Ada with her homework. You are to be here from Monday to Saturday.

 Most importantly, your focus must be on Ada. Her well-being is the top priority.” Of course, sir, Grace said, her smile never wavering. And one more thing, Aid added, his voice firm. This is a professional arrangement. I expect you to maintain a professional distance. Mind your business and stick to your duties. He needed to set that boundary.

 He couldn’t handle any more emotional complications in his life. Grace simply nodded. I understand completely, sir. There was a quiet confidence in her eyes that made Aid feel like she saw right through the walls he was trying to build around his heart. She saw his pain, his fear, and his desperate hope that she could be the one to help fix his broken home. He told her she could start the next day.

 As he showed her out, he felt a strange mix of emotions. He was scared of the change, scared of letting a stranger into their lives. But for the first time in a long time, he also felt a glimmer of something he hadn’t felt since Stella left. Hope. Maybe, just maybe, Grace was the answer to his silent prayers.

 Grace arrived early the next morning, her face bright and ready for the day. Aid was rushing around, trying to get himself and Ada ready. The apartment was already slipping back into its usual state of chaos. “Good morning, sir.” “Good morning, Ada,” Grace said with a warm smile.

 Ada, who was still feeling sad and withdrawn, just mumbled a quiet, “Good morning,” and looked away. She clearly saw Grace as a stranger who was trying to take her mother’s place. Grace didn’t seem bothered by Ada’s coldness. She simply put her bag down and looked around. “Sir, why don’t you focus on getting ready for work? I can make breakfast and get Aida’s lunchbox packed.

” Aid hesitated for a moment, not used to someone else taking charge, but he was running late, so he nodded gratefully. Thank you, Grace. He went to his room to finish getting dressed. From the kitchen, he could hear the quiet, efficient sounds of Grace at work. There was no loud clattering of pots and pans, just a calm, steady rhythm.

 When he came out a few minutes later, the smell of freshlymade pancakes filled the air. Ada was sitting at the table. A plate of warm pancakes in front of her. She was still quiet, but she was eating, her eyes wide with surprise. “This is good,” she said softly when she saw her father. Grace smiled. I’m glad you like it, Ada. I packed some for your lunch, too. Aid was amazed.

 In less than 30 minutes, Grace had brought a sense of order and peace to their chaotic morning. He felt a weight lift from his shoulders. “I have to go,” he said, picking up his briefcase. “Grace, Adah’s school bus comes at 8. Please make sure she is ready.” “Yes, sir,” Grace replied. “Have a good day at work.

” As Aid drove to his office, he couldn’t stop thinking about the scene he had left behind. For the first time in months, he wasn’t worried about Adah being late or going to school hungry. He felt a sense of relief so profound it almost made him emotional. That evening, when he returned home, he was greeted by a sight that nearly brought tears to his eyes.

 The living room was spotless. The stray papers were neatly stacked. The old plates were gone, and the floor was shining. The entire apartment felt lighter, brighter. And then he heard it. Laughter. It was Aah’s laughter, clear and joyful.

 He followed the sound to the living room and saw Ada and Grace sitting on the floor playing a board game. Aidah’s face was lit up with a happiness he hadn’t seen in a very long time. “Daddy, you’re home,” she cried, jumping up to hug him. “Grace and I were playing Ludo. I’m winning.” Aid hugged her back, his heart full. He looked at Grace, who was smiling at them. “Welcome back, sir,” she said. “Dinner is almost ready.

” The contrast between this evening and the countless sad, silent evenings before was overwhelming. Grace had been in their home for less than a day, but she had already worked a miracle. She had brought back the light that had been missing for so long. Later, as they ate dinner together, Aid watched Grace and Aida interact.

 Grace was patient and kind, listening to Aida’s stories about her day at school. She wasn’t trying to be a mother. She was just being a caring, attentive friend, and Ada was responding to it. She was opening up, her sadness slowly melting away. That night, for the first time in over a year, Aid went to bed feeling a sense of peace.

 He knew that hiring Grace was the best decision he had ever made. The house was no longer just a building. It was starting to feel like a home again. And as he drifted off to sleep, the sound of his daughter’s laughter echoed in his mind. The days that followed settled into a new, comfortable routine. Grace was a quiet force of nature in the house.

 She cleaned, she cooked, and she managed everything with an efficiency that Aid found both impressive and a little intimidating. But it was her relationship with Ada that truly touched his heart. Grace understood that Ada was still grieving for her mother, so she never tried to take Stella’s place. Instead, she became a steady, gentle presence in Ada’s life.

 She braided Ada’s hair in the morning, making intricate styles that Ada loved. She packed her lunch with little notes that said things like, “Have a wonderful day.” or “You’re a star.” One afternoon, Aid came home to find Aida sitting at the dining table. A frustrated frown on her face. Her math homework was spread out in front of her.

 “I don’t get it,” Adah grumbled, pushing the book away. “It’s too hard,” Aid was about to try and help, but he was never very good at math. Before he could say anything, Grace came and sat down next to Ada. Let’s look at it together,” Grace said in her calm, patient voice.

 She picked up a pencil and started to explain the problem in a way that was simple and easy to understand. She drew little pictures to illustrate the numbers, turning the difficult assignment into a fun game. Aid watched from the doorway, amazed. In a matter of minutes, Aida’s frown had turned into a look of concentration and then into a bright smile of understanding. “I get it now,” Adah exclaimed. “It’s easy. See, I told you you were a star,” Grace said, ruffling her hair.

 She then went to the kitchen and came back with two small bowls of ice cream. A reward for a very smart girl. Adah’s eyes lit up. She and Grace sat together eating their ice cream and chatting like old friends. Aid felt a warmth spread through him. Grace wasn’t just doing her job. She was genuinely caring for his daughter.

 She was healing the small sad parts of Ada’s heart with her quiet kindness. Later that evening, as Ada was getting ready for bed, she did something that surprised everyone. She ran to Grace and gave her a tight hug. “Thank you for helping me, Grace,” she whispered. Grace looked taken back for a moment, and then her face softened into a beautiful smile. She hugged Ada back gently. “You’re welcome, my dear. Anytime.

” The gesture was small, but to aid, it felt monumental. It was a sign that Ada was starting to heal, starting to trust again, and it was all because of Grace. After Ada was in bed, Aid found Grace in the living room quietly folding laundry.

 “Thank you,” he said, his voice full of gratitude, “for everything you’re doing for Ada.” Grace looked up, her expression humble. “I’m just doing my job, sir.” “No, it’s more than that,” Aid insisted. “You’re very good with her. She hasn’t been this happy in a long time.” Grace smiled, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. She’s a wonderful girl. It’s easy to care for her.

 They stood in comfortable silence for a moment. The house was quiet and peaceful. Aid realized that he was starting to feel more relaxed, too. The constant knot of worry in his stomach was beginning to loosen. He was sleeping better, eating better, and he was able to focus more at work.

 Knowing that things at home were in good hands, he was grateful to Grace, more grateful than he could put into words. She had brought not just order to their house, but also a glimmer of light and hope. As he watched her fold his daughter’s clothes with such care, he felt a strange, unfamiliar warmth in his chest. It was a feeling he hadn’t allowed himself to feel for a very long time.

 As weeks turned into a month, the transformation in Aid’s home became even more apparent. The apartment was no longer just a clean space. It was filled with life. Grace had a green thumb, and she had placed small potted plants on the window sills, bringing touches of nature indoors.

 The smell of baking bread or simmering stew often welcomed Aid when he came home from a long day at his architectural firm. More importantly, Ada was blossoming. She was no longer the quiet, sad little girl who ran from her friends. She was bright and cheerful, her laughter echoing through the halls. She and Grace had become inseparable.

 They would do homework together, play games, and sometimes Aid would come home to find them in the kitchen baking cookies and making a happy mess. Aid found himself looking forward to coming home. The heavy feeling that used to greet him at the door was gone, replaced by sense of peace and anticipation.

 He started leaving work on time, eager to spend the evenings with his daughter, and he admitted to himself. With grace, he enjoyed their simple family dinners. They would talk about their day and Aid would listen as Ada and Grace shared jokes and stories. He found himself laughing more, his own stress and sadness slowly fading into the background. One rainy Laros afternoon, Aid managed to finish his work early.

The sky was gray and a steady downpour was turning the streets into rivers. He decided to surprise Ada by picking her up from school himself. When he walked into the apartment, he was met with a scene that made him stop in his tracks. The living room was cozy and warm, a stark contrast to the storm outside.

 Adah and Grace were curled up on the sofa, a blanket spread over their laps. Grace was reading a story book aloud, her voice soft and expressive. Ada was listening with wide, captivated eyes, her head resting against Grace’s shoulder. They didn’t notice him standing there. The moment was so private, so full of peace and contentment that Aid felt like an intruder.

 He watched them for a few seconds. a powerful wave of emotion washing over him. This was what a family felt like. This was the warmth he had been missing for so long. He felt a genuine smile spread across his face, a smile that reached his eyes. It wasn’t forced or polite. It was real. Just then, Grace looked up and saw him.

 Her own face broke into a surprised welcoming smile. “Daddy,” Adah cried, scrambling off the sofa to hug him. “I came to pick you up, but it seems you were having a good time,” Aid said. hugging her tightly. “Grace was reading me a story about a brave princess,” Adah said excitedly.

 Aid looked at Grace over Ada’s head. Their eyes met, and in that moment, a silent, unspoken understanding passed between them. “He was grateful for her, and she knew it. She saw the change in him, the slow return of the happy, relaxed man he used to be. “Welcome home, sir,” Grace said, her voice soft.

 “Please, Grace,” Aid said, surprising himself. “Call me Aid.” A small blush appeared on her cheeks, but she nodded. Okay, aid. That evening felt different. The professional barrier between them seemed to have softened. They talked more freely, sharing their own stories and experiences.

 Aid learned that Grace had grown up in a small town near Ibadan and had always dreamed of living in a big city like Lagos. She told him about her love for books and her passion for cooking. Aid found himself drawn to her quiet strength, her kindness, and her gentle sense of humor. He was starting to see her not just as a nanny, but as a woman, a beautiful, intelligent, and compassionate woman.

 As he lay in bed that night, listening to the rain drumming against the window, he realized something that both scared and excited him. He was starting to have feelings for Grace. It was a dangerous thought, one that went against all the rules he had set for himself.

 But as he thought of her warm smile, and the way she had brought so much light back into his and Aida’s lives, he couldn’t deny the truth. The glimmer of hope she had brought into his home was starting to feel a lot like love. Life in Aid’s apartment had found a happy, peaceful rhythm. The mornings were no longer a frantic rush, but a calm routine orchestrated by Grace. The evenings were filled with the sound of Adah’s chatter, the smell of delicious food, and a growing comfortable warmth between Aid and Grace. He hadn’t felt this content in years.

 He was finally starting to believe that he and Ada could truly be happy again. One Friday evening, Aid was sitting on the sofa reviewing some architectural plans. Grace was in the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared dinner. Ada was in her room finishing up her homework. It was a perfect ordinary evening. Then the phone rang. Aid picked it up without looking at the caller ID.

Hello. There was a pause on the other end and then a voice he hadn’t heard in over a year spoke his name. Aid, it’s me. His blood ran cold. It was Stella. His entire body tensed up. He hadn’t spoken to his ex-wife since the day she walked out on them.

 She had sent a few text messages in the beginning, full of vague excuses, but then she had disappeared completely. Stella,” he said, his voice tight. “What do you want? Is that any way to greet your wife?” she asked, her voice light and casual, as if they had just spoken yesterday. “You are not my wife,” aid said sharply. “Not anymore.

” He could almost hear her shrug on the other end of the line. “Details, details.” “Anyway, I have wonderful news. I’m back in Los.” Aid felt a surge of panic. “Back in Laros? Why, after all this time? Why now? and I want to see Adah,” Stella continued, her voice taking on a demanding tone. “She is my daughter after all. I’ll come by the house tomorrow.” “No,” Aid said immediately.

“You can’t just show up here whenever you feel like it. You lost that right when you left.” Stella laughed, a sound that grated on Aid’s nerves. “Don’t be so dramatic, Aid. I’m her mother. I have every right to see her. I’ll be there around noon. Make sure she’s ready.” Before Aid could argue further, she hung her up.

 He stood in the middle of the living room, the phone still pressed to his ear, his hand shaking. The peace and contentment he had been feeling just moments before had shattered into a million pieces. All the old feelings of anger, betrayal, and hurt came rushing back, suffocating him. Stella was back. The ghost of his past had returned to haunt him. He didn’t know what to do.

How could he let her see Ada? After a year of silence, she couldn’t just walt back into their lives and pretend nothing had happened. He knew her presence would only confuse and hurt his daughter. Just then, Grace walked out of the kitchen, a tray of drinks in her hands. She saw the look on his face and her smile faltered.

 “Adeid?” she asked, her voice full of concern. “Is everything okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Aid looked at her, his heart pounding in his chest. He didn’t know how to explain what had just happened. He didn’t want to bring the darkness of his past into the new fragile world of light they had started to build.

 But looking into Grace’s kind, worried eyes, he knew he couldn’t hide it from her. The storm was coming, and he was afraid he couldn’t face it alone. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. The peaceful rhythm of his new life had just been broken, and he had no idea how to fix it. Aid stared at Grace, his mind racing.

 The professional boundary he had tried so hard to maintain suddenly felt foolish and unnecessary. “He needed to talk to someone, and the calm, steady presence of Grace felt like the only safe harbor in his sudden storm. It was my ex-wife,” he said, his voice barely a whisper. “Her name is Stella. She’s back in Los. She wants to see Ada.

” Grace put the tray down on the coffee table. She didn’t say anything, but her eyes were full of a deep, quiet empathy. She simply waited for him to continue. Encouraged by her silent support, Aid found himself opening up in a way he never had before. He told her about his marriage to Stella, about how happy they had been in the beginning.

 He told her how things had slowly started to fall apart, how Stella had become distant and unhappy, always searching for something more, something different. She was always talking about a bigger life, aid explained, the words tumbling out of him. She felt trapped here. She said being a wife and a mother wasn’t enough for her.

 And then one day I came home from work and she was just gone. She left a note, said she needed to find herself. He hadn’t spoken about this to anyone, not even Fei. The shame and pain were too deep, but with grace, it felt different. She listened with such genuine compassion that he felt safe enough to be vulnerable.

 She abandoned us, Grace,” he said, the old hurt fresh in his voice. “She abandoned her own daughter.” For a whole year, there was nothing. No calls, no messages. And now she just calls and expects to walk back into our lives like nothing happened. He finally looked at Grace, expecting to see judgment, pity in her eyes. Instead, he saw only understanding.

 “I’m so sorry, Aid,” she said softly. “That must have been incredibly difficult for you and for Ada. There was no judgment, no criticism, just simple heartfelt empathy. It was exactly what he needed to hear. I don’t know what to do, he confessed. I don’t want Adah to get hurt again. Stella’s return will only confuse her.

 Grace was quiet for a moment, choosing her words carefully. Ada is a smart and resilient girl, she said, “But she is also sensitive. You’re right to want to protect her.” She paused, then added, “But you don’t have to face this alone. You and Ada are a team, and I’m here to help in any way I can.” Her words were a lifeline.

 The burden on his shoulders suddenly felt a little lighter, as if she had taken a piece of it for herself. The thought of facing Stella with Grace by his side gave him a strength he didn’t know he had. “Thank you, Grace,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “That means more than you know.

” They sat in silence for a while, a new, deeper connection forming between them. It was no longer just an employer and his nanny. It was two people sharing a moment of vulnerability. Two souls connecting in a quiet, unexpected way. Later that night, as Aid lay in bed, he thought about his conversation with Grace. He was still scared of Stella’s return, but he no longer felt completely alone.

 Grace’s quiet strength and unwavering support had given him courage. He realized that she had become more than just a nanny. She was a friend, a confidant, a partner in the challenging task of raising his daughter. He knew the days ahead would be difficult. Stella’s return was bound to bring chaos and pain.

 But for the first time since the phone call, he felt a flicker of confidence. He looked at the closed door of his room and thought of Grace sleeping in the guest room down the hall. “You and Ada are strong,” she had told him. “You will get through this.” He held on to her words like a prayer. Maybe with her help, they actually could. The next day, a heavy sense of dread hung over the apartment.

Aid had told Ada that a visitor was coming, but he didn’t have the heart to tell her it was her mother. He just wanted to protect her for as long as he could. Grace moved about the house with her usual quiet efficiency, but Aid could see the concern in her eyes. She made sure Ada was occupied with a new puzzle, trying to keep her distracted.

At precisely noon, the doorbell rang. Aid’s heart hammered against his ribs. He took a deep breath and walked to the door. Grace standing a few steps behind him, a silent pillar of support. He opened the door and there was Stella. She looked different from the woman he remembered. She was dressed in a stylish, expensive looking dress, her hair perfectly styled.

 She looked glamorous and worldly like a character from a movie. There was no trace of the unhappy, restless wife who had left him. “Ed, darling,” she said, smiling as if they were the best of friends. She swept past him into the living room without an invitation. The place looks clean. You must have hired some help. Her eyes landed on Grace and her smile tightened.

 She looked Grace up and down with a dismissive air. “You must be the nanny,” she said, her tone dripping with condescension. Before Grace could respond, Stella’s attention shifted. “Ada, my baby. Where are you?” Ada, hearing her mother’s voice came running out of her room. She stopped short when she saw Stella. her face a mixture of shock, confusion, and a flicker of hope. “Mommy,” she whispered. Stella knelt and opened her arms wide.

 “Come to mommy, my sweet girl.” Ada hesitated for a moment, glancing back at Grace, then at her father. Then she slowly walked into her mother’s arms. Stella hugged her tightly, showering her with kisses. “I’ve missed you so much,” Stella said, her voice suddenly full of emotion, but Aid could see that it was an act. Her eyes were cold, calculating.

 She stood up, still holding Adidah’s hand, and looked around the room. She noticed the new potted plants, the neat stacks of books, the overall sense of order. “It seems you’ve made yourself quite at home,” she said to Grace, her words sharp. “The atmosphere in the room grew thick with tension.

” “Ada, sensing the conflict, shrank back, her earlier excitement gone. She moved to stand closer to Grace. Stella’s eyes narrowed. She clearly did not like that her daughter was seeking comfort from the nanny. She tried to pull Adida back to her side, but Ada resisted, holding on to Grace’s hand. Aid knew he had to step in.

 “Stella, maybe we should talk,” he said, trying to keep his voice even. “Yes, we should,” Stella agreed, her gaze fixed on Grace. “But first, I think the help should go to the kitchen and make us some tea.” “Ada, come with me, darling. Let’s sit down and talk.” She tried to lead Ada to the sofa, but Ada looked to Grace for permission.

 The simple innocent action was a clear sign of where Adah’s trust and affection now lay. It was a silent declaration that Grace was the one who made her feel safe. Stella saw it, and a flicker of anger crossed her face. She dropped Adah’s hand and turned to Aid, her glamorous facade cracking. “We have a lot to sort out, Aid,” she said, her voice low and dangerous. “Send her away.

We need to talk alone.” Aid looked from Stella’s angry face to Grace’s calm one and then to his daughter, who was looking up at him with scared, confused eyes. He knew this was just the beginning of the storm. Aid asked Grace to take Ada to her room. He needed to face Stella alone without his daughter caught in the crossfire. As soon as they were gone, Stella’s entire demeanor changed.

 The cold anger was replaced by a soft, regretful expression. It was an act Aid knew all too well. aid. I know you’re angry,” she began, her voice smooth and persuasive. “And you have every right to be. I made a terrible mistake. I was lost and I needed to find myself, but I’m back now and I’ve changed.” She walked closer to him, placing a hand on his arm. “I missed you. I missed this.

 I missed being a family.” Aid stood stiffly, refusing to be drawn in by her performance. He remembered the countless times she had used this same soft voice to get what she wanted, only to leave him feeling empty and used. “What do you want, Stella?” he asked, his voice flat. “I want us back,” she said, her eyes pleading.

 “I want to be a mother to Adah again. I want to be your wife. We can be a family, a proper family, just like we were meant to be. A part of aid, a small, foolish part that still remembered the good times, felt a flicker of something. The dream of a complete family, the one he had held on to for so long after she left was a powerful one. But then he thought of the past year.

 He remembered the lonely nights, the chaotic mournings, Adah’s tears, and he thought of Grace, of the peace and warmth she had brought into their lives. “It’s not that simple, Stella,” he said, pulling his arm away. “You were gone for a year. You can’t just come back and expect everything to be the same. But it can be,” she insisted. “It can be even better. I’ve grown up.

” Aid, I know what’s important now. It’s you and Ada. It has always been you and Ada. He could see the calculation in her eyes. She was saying all the right words, but he didn’t believe her. He didn’t trust her. What about her? Stella asked, gesturing towards the hallway where Grace had disappeared. The nanny. How long has she been here? A few months? Aid answered, feeling defensive. Stella scoffed.

 Well, she’ll have to go, of course. We can’t have a stranger living in our house if we’re going to be a family again. Her words hit him like a cold slap. Get rid of Grace. The thought was unbearable. Grace was the one who had held their lives together. She was the one who had brought laughter back into his home.

 She was the one who had healed his daughter’s heart. She’s not just the help, Stella, Aid said, his voice firm. She has been wonderful to Ada. I’m sure she has, Stella said dismissively. But Ada has her real mother back now. She doesn’t need a paid stranger to take care of her.

 Aid looked at her and for the first time he saw her clearly without any lingering affection from their past. He saw a selfish woman who thought only of herself. She hadn’t come back for him or for Ada. She had come back for herself to reclaim a life she had thrown away without any thought for the damage she had caused. He was torn. The idea of his original family being whole again was tempting.

 It was the dream he had once cried himself to sleep over. But was it real? Could he ever trust Stella again? And what about Grace? Could he really just send her away after everything she had done for them? Stella saw the conflict on his face and pressed her advantage. Just think about it, Aid, she said, her voice a soft whisper.

 You, me, and Ada, together again. Just get rid of the nanny and we can start over. He felt trapped. It was a choice between a beautiful, broken dream from his past and a fragile, hopeful reality in his present. and he didn’t know which one to choose. Aid felt like he was suffocating. Stella’s words echoed in his mind. Get rid of the nanny.

 He walked through his quiet, clean house, a space that Grace had transformed from a shell into a home. The thought of her leaving, of the silence and sadness returning, was a physical pain in his chest. He needed to think. He went to Adah’s room, needing to see his daughter, the center of his world.

 He pushed the door open quietly and found her sitting on her bed, her small shoulders shaking. She was crying. His heart dropped. “Ada, what’s wrong?” he asked, rushing to her side. She looked up at him, her face stre with tears. “Is Grace leaving?” she asked, her voice trembling. The question caught Aid completely offg guard.

 “Why would you think that, honey?” “Because because mommy is back,” Ada whispered. “Is Grace going to go away now?” I don’t want her to go. I like Grace. She helps me with my homework and she tells me stories and and she makes you smile, Daddy. Her words, so simple and honest, were like a key unlocking something deep inside him. He had been so focused on his own conflicted feelings on the ghost of his past with Stella that he hadn’t fully considered what Ada wanted, what she needed.

 He had thought that bringing Stella back would fix their family, would give Adah the mother she missed. But Ada wasn’t missing the glamorous, selfish woman who had just walked back into their lives. She was missing the idea of a mother, someone kind, patient, and loving. And she had found all of that in grace. In that moment, everything became clear. A true family wasn’t about biology or a marriage certificate.

 It was about love, stability, and being there for each other day after day. Stella had broken that trust. Grace had built it. Aid looked at his daughter’s tearful face and saw the truth. His home was not with Stella. His and Aida’s future was not in the past.

 It was here in this peaceful, happy house with the woman who had so gently and lovingly put the pieces of their lives back together. He pulled Adah into a tight hug, a fierce wave of love and protection washing over him. He had his answer. “No, my love,” he said, his voice strong and certain. “Grace is not leaving. I won’t let her.” Ada looked up at him, a glimmer of hope in her wet eyes.

 “Really, Daddy? You promise? I promise,” he said, stroking her hair. “Don’t you worry about anything. I will make everything right.” A sense of calm settled over him. The conflict was gone. He knew what he had to do. It wouldn’t be easy, but it was the right thing to do for Ada and for himself. He left Ada in her room, promising to come back and read her a story.

 He walked back into the living room, ready to face Stella, ready to finally close the door on his past. But when he entered the room, it was empty. Stella was gone. On the coffee table was a note written on a piece of expensive stationery. It read, “I’ll be back tomorrow for your answer. Don’t make the wrong choice.

” S Aid crumpled the note in his fist. He had already made his choice. His family was here in this house, and Grace was a part of it. Now he just had to find the courage to tell her. Aid knew he couldn’t wait. The thought of Grace believing she had to leave was a panic that tightened his chest.

 He needed to talk to her to tell her everything before his fear made him lose his nerve. He walked down the hall to the guest room and found the door slightly at a jar. He pushed it open and his heart sank. Grace was there and she was packing a small suitcase. She was folding her clothes neatly, her movements precise but sad. Grace,” he said, his voice catching in his throat.

 “What are you doing?” She looked up, startled. There were unshed tears in her eyes, but her expression was composed. “I’m packing, sir, aid,” she corrected herself. “I think it’s best if I leave now that Ada’s mother is back. You don’t need me anymore.” “No,” Aid said, stepping into the room. “That’s not true. We do need you. I need you.

” He walked over to her and gently took her hands, stopping her from packing. Please don’t go. Grace looked at him confused. But your ex-wife? She is my ex-wife for a reason, Aid said firmly. She is Adah’s biological mother, but she is not the mother Ada needs. You are. You’re the one who has been here. You’re the one who brought the light back into our lives.

 He took a deep breath, his heart pounding. It was now or never. Grace, I know I set a lot of rules when you first came. I told you to keep a professional distance, but I can’t do that anymore. I’ve tried to fight it, but I have feelings for you. Strong feelings. He looked into her beautiful surprised eyes. I don’t want you to be our nanny anymore. I want you to be a part of our family.

 I want you to stay with me with us.” Grace stared at him. Her lips slightly parted in shock. The tears she had been holding back finally spilled over and ran down her cheeks. But these were not tears of sadness. “Adeid,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I I have feelings for you, too. From the very first day I saw you, I felt a connection, but I never thought.

 I didn’t want to overstep.” A joyful relief washed over aid. He reached up and gently wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb. There are no boundaries to overstep anymore,” he said softly. He was about to lean in and kiss her to seal this incredible new beginning.

 When a sharp voice cut through the tender moment, “What exactly is going on here?” They both turned startled. Stella was standing in the doorway, her arms crossed, her face a mask of fury. She had come back, and she had clearly heard everything. “So, this is your choice, aid!” Stella sneered, her eyes flashing with anger. You’re choosing the help over your own wife, over your family.

 Aid instinctively stepped in front of Grace, shielding her. He was no longer afraid of Stella. He was no longer trapped by their past. “You are not my wife, Stella,” he said, his voice calm and steady. “And our family is right here.” “The battle for his future had just begun, but Aid knew with a certainty that filled his entire being which side he was on.

” Stella’s face twisted with rage. “How dare you?” she hissed, stepping into the room. After everything we’ve been through, you’re throwing it all away for a housekeeper. She pointed a finger at Grace. You You came into my home and you stole my family.

 Grace flinched, but Aid stood firm, his hand finding hers behind his back. A silent gesture of support. “No one stole anything, Stella,” Aid said, his voice low, but powerful. “You gave it away. You walked out on us. You left your daughter without a word for a year. That was your choice. I made a mistake, Stella cried, her anger turning to desperate tears. I came back. I came back for you, for Ada.

 And this is how you treat me. You didn’t come back for us, Aid said, the truth clear in his mind. You came back for yourself. You think you can just press a button and rewind our lives to a time that was convenient for you. But life doesn’t work that way. We’ve moved on.

 Moved on? Stella scoffed, looking at Grace with disgust. With her? Just then, Ada appeared in the doorway, drawn by the loud voices. She looked scared, her eyes darting between her parents and Grace. Seeing her daughter, Stella’s strategy shifted, she softened her voice and knelt, opening her arms to Ada. Aa, my sweet girl, come to mommy. This woman is trying to take your place.

 Don’t you want your real mommy back? Ada hesitated, her small face filled with confusion and fear. She looked at Stella, then at Grace, who was standing quietly, her heartbreaking for the little girl caught in the middle. Aid knelt beside Ada, putting a comforting arm around her. “Adah,” he said gently, “you have a choice.

 “Who do you want to be a part of our family? It was a difficult question to ask a child, but Aid knew it was the only one that mattered.” “Ada looked at Stella, the glamorous stranger who had reappeared in her life. Then she looked at Grace, the woman who braided her hair, helped her with homework, and read her bedtime stories every night.

 Slowly, deliberately, Ada walked over to Grace, and took her hand, holding on tight. The action was simple, but it was a final, undeniable answer. Stella stared at them, her face crumbling in defeat. She had used her last weapon, and it had failed. She had lost. She had truly lost her daughter.

 A heavy silence filled the room. Stella stood up. her glamorous facade completely gone. She looked old and tired. “Fine,” she whispered, her voice empty. “Fine,” without another word, she turned and walked out of the room and out of their lives. The front door clicked shut and the sound echoed in the quiet apartment. The storm had passed.

 Aid, Grace, and Adah stood together in the middle of the room. They were not a traditional family, but in that moment they were a unit bound together by love, choice, and the shared experience of standing together against the past. Aid looked at Grace, his heart full of a love so strong it almost hurt. He looked at his daughter, who was still holding Grace’s hand.

 They were a new, uncertain family, but they were together. He reached out and took Grace’s other hand. The three of them stood in a small circle, a quiet promise passing between them. They had a long way to go, but they would face it together. After Stella left, a strange quiet settled over the apartment.

 It wasn’t the heavy, sad silence Aid was used to, but a new, thoughtful quiet. They were a family of three now, but the lines were blurry. Grace was no longer just the nanny, but she wasn’t quite a mother yet either. Aid was no longer just her employer, but they hadn’t had a chance to figure out what they were to each other.

 That evening, Grace cooked dinner as usual, but the atmosphere was different. There was an awareness between her and Aid, a gentle awkwardness that was both sweet and nerve-wracking. They sat down at the dining table, just the three of them. Ada, feeling the shift in the air, was the first to speak. “So, are you my new mommy now?” she asked Grace, her voice a mix of hope and confusion. Grace looked at Aid, a blush rising on her cheeks.

Aid smiled and reached for her hand across the table. Grace is going to be a very special part of our family, honey,” Aid explained gently. “But these things take time. For now, how about you call her Auntie Grace?” Adah thought about it for a moment, then nodded, a bright smile spreading across her face. “Okay, Auntie Grace.” The name sounded right.

It was a bridge between what Grace had been and what she was becoming to them. The rest of the dinner was filled with easy conversation. They talked about school, about Aid’s work, and about Grace’s favorite books. It felt natural. It felt right.

 The house, which had once been a place of sadness and chaos, was now filled with a quiet, steady warmth. Later, after Ada was tucked into bed, Aid and Grace found themselves alone in the living room. “The professional distance was gone,” replaced by a shy new intimacy. “Thank you for staying,” Aid said, his voice soft. “Thank you for asking me,” Grace replied, her eyes shining.

 He moved closer to her on the sofa. “I meant what I said, Grace. I love you. I love you too, Aid,” she whispered. He leaned in and this time there was no one to interrupt them. He gently cupped her face in his hands and gave her their first real kiss. It wasn’t a passionate movie style kiss. It was slow, tender, and full of all the unspoken emotions of the past few months.

 It was a kiss of gratitude, of relief, and of a hopeful new beginning. When they pulled apart, they were both smiling. The future was still uncertain. They had a lot to figure out. They had to learn how to be a couple, how to build a new family on the foundation of a broken one.

 But as they sat there holding hands in the quiet living room, they knew they could face it all as long as they were together. The road ahead wouldn’t be easy. There would be challenges and adjustments. But for the first time in a very long time, Aid’s heart was full of hope. He looked at the amazing woman beside him, the one who had brought grace and light back into his life, and he knew that his home was finally whole again.

 Not because his old family was restored, but because he had been brave enough to build a new one. 6 months later, the apartment in Leki was a different world. It was a home in every sense of the word, buzzing with happiness and the comfortable rhythm of family life.

 The walls were decorated with Adida’s colorful drawings, and the air was always filled with the sounds of laughter and music. Today was a special day. It was Grace’s birthday. Aid had spent the morning preparing a surprise. He, Adah, and Fei, who had become a frequent and cheerful visitor, had decorated the living room with balloons and streamers.

 When Grace walked out of her room that afternoon, she was greeted with a loud chorus of happy birthday. Her face lit up with a joy so pure it made Aid’s heart ache in the best possible way. She looked beautiful in a simple blue dress he had bought for her. He walked over to her and gave her a loving kiss. “Happy birthday, my love,” he whispered. Femi came forward, grinning from ear to ear. “Happy birthday, Grace. Thank you for saving my friend from himself.” Everyone laughed.

Femi had been their biggest supporter, and he was overjoyed to see his friend so happy. But the most special moment came from Ada. She ran to Grace holding a large handmade card. On the front, she had drawn a picture of the three of them holding hands with a bright smiling sun above them. Grace opened the card.

Inside, written in Ada’s neatest handwriting were the words to Auntie Grace, the best mom in the whole world. I love you from Ada. Grace’s eyes filled with tears of joy. She knelt and pulled Ada into a fierce loving hug. Oh, Ada,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “I love you, too.

” Aid watched them, his heart so full it felt like it might burst. He had come so far from the broken, exhausted man he had been. He had a loving partner, a happy daughter, and a home filled with peace. He walked over and wrapped his arms around both of them, completing their family circle.

 They stood there for a long moment, a perfect picture of a family made not by blood or by chance, but by love and by choice. Later that evening, after the small party was over and Aida was asleep, Aid and Grace sat on the sofa holding hands. “This was the best birthday I’ve ever had,” Grace said, her head resting on his shoulder. “It’s just the first of many,” Aid promised, kissing the top of her head.

 He looked around his home at the colorful balloons and the remnants of the celebration. He thought about the journey they had been on, the pain, the healing, the fear, and the love. It hadn’t been easy, but it had been worth it. He looked at Grace, the woman who had walked into his life and taught him how to hope again. She was more than just a nanny.

 She was his partner, his best friend, his grace. Together, they had built something beautiful and strong. The future stretched out before them, bright and full of promise. There would be more birthdays, more school tests, more challenges, and more joys. But they would face it all together as a family. The house was no longer empty.

 It was full of love, and that was all that mattered.