Chapter One: The Beginning
Sade was a browned skinned damsel with an oval face, hair as black as silk with cat shaped eyes that glowed. She rarely smiled since her mother died. Though there was a calm strength in her face, the kind that made people noticed her even when she wasn’t talking. The only daughter of Ajayi, she was obedient, gentle, and calm. She had a brother, Damola, a short dark-skinned boy, taking the complexion of his father. They all lived in the same house.
Sade’s life changed completely when her father married another woman, Bolanle, a tall woman always dressed in bright clothes, who had a smile that never reached her eyes, with a voice sweet in public but sharp like a knife at home, just one month after the death of Sade’s mother, Adejoke. Before her passing, Adejoke supported Sade in everything – she was loving, caring, and always stood by her daughter, even when her husband refused to. Ajayi never truly believed in Sade. He held a deep-rooted belief that girls had little value and that their only roles were to do house chores, get married, and bear children for their husbands. Due to this outdated mindset, he refused to sponsor Sade’s education. To him, paying school fees for a girl was a waste of money. Instead, he insisted she should learn a trade.
Despite all the challenges, her mother remained her greatest support. She believed in Sade’s future and was determined to give her the best education and training she could afford. Even though her husband constantly opposed her, Adejoke stood firm. Their arguments were frequent, and Sade often overheard them fighting because of her. Still, her mother never gave up. She fought for her daughter’s right to go to school. She fought for her dreams. She believed that one day, Sade would become something great but sadly, her mother died too soon. Since that day, life was never the same. Sade missed her every single day. The love, the support, the laughter; they were all gone. Every time she remembered her mother, she broke down in tears. That sadness never truly left her.
The real nightmare began when her father brought home his new wife. From the very moment the woman stepped into the house, nothing was the same. Whenever their father was not around, their stepmother treated Sade and Damola like slaves. They were the ones who washed clothes, cooked, fetched water, and cleaned the entire house and yet, whenever their father came home, she would lie and say it was her who did everything. She would say, “Sade and Damola? They just sat around watching TV all day.”
This became a daily routine. Her lies were endless. Whenever her own children did something wrong, she covered for them and blamed Sade and Damola instead. Their father never questioned her. He simply shouted at them, threatened to punish them, and sometimes even said, “If you don’t learn how to behave yourselves, I’ll throw you out of this house!”
Sade always wanted to scream the truth, to defend herself but deep down, she knew that in her father’s eyes, she would always be wrong. Her stepmother seemed to enjoy finding new ways to frustrate them. It was like a game to her. Whenever she was cruel, Damola always tried to stand up for his sister but he was just a teenager, what power did he have? Despite everything, Sade remained quiet. She bottled up the pain, hid her tears, and kept going. But deep inside, a storm was brewing. Some nights, she would sit by the window, staring at the moon, whispering to the stars as if her mother could hear her, “Mummy… I wish you were still here,”. She would whisper, “I’m trying to be strong, but it’s hard.”
In those quiet moments, even in all the pain and silence, something unexplainable stayed with her, a quiet strength, a small voice in her heart that kept telling her not to give up. She didn’t know what the future held. She didn’t know how long the suffering would last. But deep inside her, she made a promise, “One day, I will rise. I don’t know how, but I will.” And with that silent vow, Sade wiped her tears, stood up from the cold floor, and walked back into the house not because she had peace, but because she had hope.
Chapter Two: A New Life
It was a Monday morning. Sade was up early, helping her younger brother fetch water for cooking, washing, and bathing. As they walked back home, she saw students in their uniforms heading for schools. A deep sadness filled her heart. Since her mother’s death, she hadn’t returned to school. She had just completed Junior Secondary School, but with no one to sponsor her, Senior Secondary School felt like a dream slipping further away.
That afternoon, after finishing her chores, Sade sat quietly in the corner of their room, thinking. She couldn’t let her mother’s efforts be in vain. Her mother had struggled so much to give her a chance at education. Sade believed in herself just as her mother had believed in her. She made up her mind she would find a way to continue schooling, no matter what it took. Around 3:00 p.m., Sade began moving from house to house, seeking help from people she knew : church members, family friends, and neighbours but no one could offer any assistance. Just as she was about to give up, she remembered one of her late mother’s old friends, Mama Tayo, and with a renewed sense of hope, she went straight to Mama Tayo’s house. Mama Tayo was a chubby-looking woman in her early 40’s. After explaining everything, the kind woman listened, and with tears in her eyes, she said, “Because of your mother, I’ll help you..Come back tomorrow morning. We will go somewhere together.”
The next morning, after completing her usual chores, Sade wore an oversized long gown and walked to Mama Tayo’s house. When the woman saw her, she smiled and said, “You look just like your mother.” They set off together to a nearby school, Royal Crown Secondary School, where her son, Tayo attended. At the school, Mama Tayo explained Sade’s situation to the principal, someone she knew; how her mother, a dear friend, had passed away, how her father refused to sponsor her education, and how this young girl was determined to learn. The principal was touched by the story and he said kindly, “She can begin school tomorrow.” Before they left, he asked, “What does she need to get started?” Mama Tayo thought for a moment, then mentioned that Sade didn’t have a uniform. The principal opened a cabinet and handed her a spare one. Grateful and smiling, they left the school and returned home.
As Sade entered the house, she saw her father watching the news in the living room. He noticed the uniform in her hand and called her over, “Where are you coming from? And what’s that you’re holding?” Sade had no choice but to tell him the truth. She explained everything, where she went, whom she met, and how she was going back to school. Her father simply nodded and said coldly, “Do whatever you want. A girl will always be a girl.” His words cut deep. He didn’t ask how she would pay for school or how she planned to survive. Sade’s heart ached, but she didn’t let it show. She walked to her room with a quiet joy that her father didn’t support her, but at least, he wasn’t stopping her either. That was enough for now. She looked at the uniform in her hands and smiled. A new life was beginning.
Chapter Three: Good and Bad
Waking up early in the morning had become a routine for Sade. As she heard the sound of a cock crowing, she woke her brother up for prayers then she knelt beside him and closed her eyes in prayer. It was something their mother had always taught them, “Start your day with God, and you’ll end it in peace.” Even though their mother was no longer with them, her teachings remained alive in their hearts. With quiet voices, they prayed together, “Dear Lord, thank you for today, please guide us, protect us, and help us be better than yesterday.” After the prayer, they got dressed for school. Sade wore the school uniform that Mama Tayo and the principal had given her months ago. It was a bit tight now because she had grown, but she still wore it with pride. She tied her hair neatly and helped Damola with his tie before they both left the house.
It had been five months since Sade started attending the Royal Crown Secondary School. She was already known by most of the teachers not just for her neatness, but because she was one of the brightest students in her class and her academic performance amazed everyone. She always came top of the class and asked intelligent questions during lessons. She had also made a few friends, one of them was Bola, a short, light-skinned and cheerful girl. Bola was the kind of friend who made you feel like life wasn’t so bad . She shared her snacks with Sade and helped her whenever she didn’t understand something. They sat together in class, walked home together, and sometimes even did assignments together, but with all the love and respect Sade was gaining, something inside her began to shift; she started to believe she was better than the others. When group assignments were given, she would complete everything on her own and still submit the project in her name alone. She would roll her eyes whenever someone made a mistake in class, she would correct them in a tone that embarrassed the person. Teachers noticed her attitude, some still praised her brilliance, while others worried about her pride.
A particular day during break time, Bola brought a topic she didn’t quite understand and asked Sade for help,
“Sade, please can you explain this math topic to me again? I still don’t get it.”
“We’ve gone over it already. You really need to start paying attention, Bola.” Sade replied, frowning.
Bola’s face fell, she quietly walked away, and for the rest of the day, they didn’t speak.
By the end of the week, the group of friends Sade used to sit with had started to keep their distance. Even during lunch, she sat alone and some whispered behind her back.
“She acts like she’s better than everyone,” one girl said.
“She thinks because she’s smart, she can treat us anyhow,” another added.
The words touched her, but Sade pretended not to care; she told herself that they were just jealous. But deep down, she missed the laughter, the warm chats, and even Bola’s silly jokes.
Things came to a head one afternoon during a school quiz competition. Sade had been chosen to represent her class alongside two other students. But during the preparation, she refused to listen to any ideas from her teammates. She even changed the answers they submitted without telling them.
When the final round came, her answer to the last question was wrong, and it cost her team the victory.
After the event, one of her teachers pulled her aside and said,
“You’re smart, Sade. But you’re not a team. You can’t win everything alone. You have to learn to work with others.”
That same day, Mama Tayo came to school to check on her. When she saw the sadness on Sade’s face, she asked what had happened. Sade tried to act like nothing happened, but Mama Tayo insisted, and then she told her,
“You know, your mother was never proud, even when everyone respected her. She taught people with kindness. She never made anyone feel small.”
Those words struck Sade deeply. She remembered how her mother used to sit beside her at night, gently correcting her work, encouraging her to help others, to be kind even when others were not.
Sade realised then that she had allowed her pain to change her character; she was so used to fighting for herself at home that she forgot how to be gentle with others. The next day, Sade approached Bola at lunch.
“Bola, I’m sorry. I’ve been… wrong. I didn’t mean to push you away. I guess I’ve been angry at the wrong people.”
Bola smiled faintly, “I missed you, Sade, let’s just promise not to let the things we are facing change who we are.”
From that day on, Sade began to change not just on the outside, but inside too. She became more patient, more open, and more understanding. She still worked hard, but she now listened, shared, and lifted others
Chapter Four: The Unexpected Helper
It was a Saturday morning, Sade woke up hearing the loud voice of her stepmother shouting her name. She quickly jumped out of bed and rushed to see what was going on. As she got closer, she saw her talking with her father in the sitting room. She was angry and pointing toward her room.
“She’s the one, I’m sure of it!”, she said.
Sade’s father, looking confused, asked her, “What happened this time?”
“My money is missing,” she replied. “Thirty thousand naira is gone, and some of my jewellery too.”
The moment she heard her say that, she knew something was wrong. Deep down, Sade could tell she was trying to frame her. She had seen this coming. Ever since their last argument, she had been acting strangely, watching her, whispering behind Sade’s back, and always looking for something to use against her.
Sade’s father looked around and said, “But how could something go missing? There’s no thief in my house.”
Sade’s stepmother didn’t hesitate, “The only person who could’ve done it is your daughter,” she said, pointing at her. “Where do you think she’s been getting money to buy food and books for school? She’s been stealing from me.”
She was shocked, her heart pounded in her chest. “It’s not true, Daddy,” Sade cried, “I didn’t take anything, she’s lying.” Sade said, but her father didn’t listen. His face grew stern, and Sade could tell he had already made up his mind to believe her no matter what Sade said, and he would stand by his wife’s side, not Sade’s.
Tears welled up in her eyes aand she wanted the ground to open up and swallow her. After everything she had been through fighting for her education, working hard to be a good student, and trying to survive in the house, she was being accused of something she didn’t do.
But she knew this wasn’t just about the money; it was about the hate she had for her because she wasn’t her child. She had been jealous ever since she found the strength to stand up to her, and now she was getting her revenge.
Sade wanted to scream, to fight, to run away, but she stood there frozen, hoping someone, anyone, would believe her. Nobody believed her. The next voice she heard was that of Damola, her younger brother, pleading on her behalf.
“Daddy, Sade didn’t do it! She’s not a thief and she would never do such a thing!” But before the father could respond, her stepmother turned sharply to him.
“You, this small boy, what do you know? Go back to your room and read!”
Damola hesitated, his face filled with fear, but he obeyed quietly. Sade’s heart ached. Even he was silenced.
Then something happened that broke her completely. Her father reached into his wardrobe, brought out a bundle of ₦70,000, and handed it to her stepmother.
“Take. Please don’t be angry. Sade knows how much these things mean to you.”
Sade’s eyes widened in shock. He couldn’t give me a single naira for school, but he was handing her ₦70,000 over a story with no proof. She thought to herself.
As he handed her the money, Sade felt tears burn in her eyes. She wanted to cry, to scream, to disappear, but she held it in.
“She must be punished for this. She can’t go around stealing and still walk freely in my house.” Her father said.
“Yes! She must learn her lesson,” replied her stepmother.
She looked at her, and Sade only saw a woman who never considered her as family, a woman who hated her simply because she was not her daughter. Sade smirked, and for the first time, she gave her a cold, sharp look. Then she walked silently to her room, whispering in her heart,
My God will fight for me.
That night, she couldn’t sleep. She thought of everything; how her mother would have protected her if she were still alive, how nobody believed her, not even her father. She knew she had to do something.
She began to think of finding a way to support herself to start a side hustle. She was only 15 years old, and most people wouldn’t hire a girl of that age, but she was determined. She told herself, I will try my best. I won’t give up.
Later that afternoon, after finishing all the house chores, she left the house and began moving from shop to shop, asking if anyone needed help. She was ready to do anything, even if it was sweeping, washing, or even running errands. But shop after shop, the answer was the same:
“No vacancy.”
“You’re too young.”
“We don’t hire children.”
Just as she was about to give up and turn back home, a voice called out to her on the roadside.
“Hello, young girl! Why are you walking alone under this hot sun?”
Sade turned and saw a woman in a fine ankara dress, standing beside her parked car. She looked kind but curious.
“I’m looking for work, Ma.” Sade replied in a shy manner.
She raised her eyebrows and laughed a little. “Work? A young girl like you? Shouldn’t you be in school?”
She nodded. “I’m in school, Ma, but I need something small to support myself.” She looked at Sade again, this time with concern.
“Get in, let’s talk at home.”
At first, she was hesitant, but something about her felt safe. Sade followed her, and when they reached her house, Sade’s jaw dropped. It was a big, beautiful home with flowers in front and a sparkling compound.
The woman welcomed her warmly.
“Feel at home,” she said, offering her a glass of juice. “Now sit, and tell me your story.”
Sade took a deep breath and told her everything, from her mother’s death to how her father refused to support her education, and to how her stepmother accused her falsely, and how it was Mama Tayo who had been paying her fees. Sade told her how she wanted to help herself because nobody seemed to care about her dreams.
When Sade finally finished, she sat in silence for a moment. Then she sighed and said, “You’ve been through a lot for someone so young. But I see strength in you.”
She paused and added, “I’ll help you. I can’t let a girl like you waste away.”
Sade eyes lit up with hope.
“But,” she said with a soft smile, “you’ll have to help me too, just small chores after school. Nothing too hard. I’ll pay you well, enough to get your school needs.”
Sade quickly nodded her head. “Yes, ma! I’ll do it!”
Sade wanted to ask if she had a family, but something in her told her not to. She looked like someone who had her silent battles.
After thanking her, Sade went home and told Damola everything. He smiled proudly and hugged her.
“You see? I told you God will fight for you.”
“And truly, He did.” Sade said
Chapter Five: Trials and Testimony
It was the morning of one of the most important days in Sade’s life, the day of her NECO exam and she had studied for weeks, spent late nights reviewing her books, and also been praying for success in her exam. It was her final exam in secondary school, and she knew that passing it would be a huge step toward fulfilling her dreams. Everything had to be perfect, but something unexpected happened. As Sade stepped out of her room to get ready, she perceived smoke which was coming from the backyard, her heart skipped as she rushed out and saw her clothes and shoes burning in the fire. The very ones she had prepared for her examination. Immediately she saw it, she screamed, “Who did this?!”
Then, her stepmother appeared from the kitchen with a wicked smile on her face. “Maybe it’s your bad luck that caused it,” she said.
Sade could no longer hold back, “Why do you hate me so much? What have I done to deserve this?!” The two of them began shouting at each other and it was so loud her father came out of his room, confused by the noise. “What is going on here?!”
“She burnt my clothes! I’m supposed to be at the exam hall this morning!” Sade shouted, tears running down her cheeks. “She’s lying,” her stepmother said. “This girl is rude and useless. Maybe she wants to run away from the exam and is now trying to blame me.”
As the argument became more serious, her stepmother angrily raised her hand and pushed Sade. She lost her balance and fell hard to the ground, hitting her head. She stopped moving.
“Jesus!”, her father cried, rushing to her side. “Sade! Wake up!”
Damola came running, terrified. “Sister!”
Without wasting time, her father carried her and rushed her to the hospital. But the news spread quickly and some of her classmates who were already at the school heard what happened. A teacher from the school confirmed that Sade was meant to be in the exam hall that morning. Before long, the news reached social media with the caption, “Stepmother burns girl’s exam clothes.”
People began sharing the story. Comments poured in from people all over the country, expressing their anger, support, and prayers for Sade. After a few days in the hospital, Sade finally opened her eyes. Her father sat beside her, tears in his eyes, “I’m sorry, Sade… I should have listened to your mother, I should have protected you.” The school principal, Mama Tayo, and NECO officials came to visit her. After hearing the full story, NECO made a special arrangement and allowed Sade to write her missed papers the following week. It was a rare exception, but her case touched so many hearts.
One day, as she was recovering, a man in a suit came to the hospital. He introduced himself as a representative from an international scholarship organisation. “Sade,” he said warmly, “we read your story. We admire your courage and determination, and we have decided to give you a full scholarship to any university of your choice. And we are also giving you a support fund to help you and your brother.” Sade couldn’t believe her ears as she began to cry, not tears of sadness, but of overwhelming joy. As for her stepmother, she was arrested for child abuse and attempted sabotage. The community that once ignored her cruelty now turned against her. Her father stood in court and told the truth, admitting that he had failed his daughter and allowed hatred to grow in his house.
That was the beginning of a new chapter for Sade. her father became more supportive, Damola was proud of his sister, and the community saw her as a symbol of strength and hope. And from that day, her father made a vow, “No more saying girls should not go to school, no more trade shops. Every girl deserves a future.”
Chapter Six: Transformation from Freedom
Sade was overjoyed the day she received her admission letter into the university. It felt like a dream come true after everything she had faced the pain, the rejection, the struggles. Finally, she was moving forward with her life. She had been given a second chance, and she was determined to make something of herself. But as the months passed, the environment she found herself in began to shape her in ways she never expected. University was nothing like secondary school, and there was freedom, too much of it infact. Nobody woke her up in the morning to pray. Nobody checked if she went to lectures. Nobody questioned her movements. For a girl like Sade, who had spent most of her life under strict eyes and painful limitations, it felt like she had finally been set free. But sometimes, freedom without guidance can be dangerous.
At first, Sade focused on her studies; went to lectures, joined a few groups, and kept to herself. But soon enough, she met new people – people with different values, lifestyles, and influences. Among them was a girl named Cynthia. Cynthia was bold, flashy, and always talked about “enjoying life while you’re young” She introduced Sade to a world she had never known before: parties, clubs, fashion, and boys.
At first, Sade was uncomfortable as she had always been taught to be modest, respectful, and focused. But the more time she spent with Cynthia and her crew, the more those teachings began to fade.
One Friday night, Cynthia convinced her to go to a club, “You’ve been reading too much, come and have fun.” That night changed everything. The loud music, the flashing lights, and the attention overwhelmed Sade, but it also made her feel seen. For the first time in a long while, she wasn’t the girl from a broken home or the one who had to fight to survive. She was just Sade. A beautiful, confident and admired girl, and slowly, the change begun.
She stopped going to classes regularly, and she started dressing differently, seeking attention in the wrong places. She followed the boys around, believing the lies they told her. She told herself she was just enjoying life, but deep down, a part of her felt lost.
Sade’s change didn’t happen all at once. It was a slow drift. The lack of a strong motherly figure to guide her and a father who never gave her time or values made her vulnerable. No one had sat her down to explain love, boundaries, or self-respect. So, she tried to find her answers in the wrong places.
But life has a way of teaching lessons.
Chapter Seven: Pain and Redemption
Sade stood in front of the mirror in her university hostel room, adjusting her wig and makeup. The girl staring back at her looked nothing like the quiet, prayerful girl who once knelt beside her brother every morning. Her face was no longer innocent; it was bold and painted with confidence, but deep down, she was still lost. University life had swept her away like a wave. The freedom, the attention, and the kind of friends who always promised “vibes” and “enjoyment” made her forget where she was coming from. There were nights she didn’t sleep in her room, and there were days she missed lectures. Parties, clubs, and boys became her new routine, and she thought she was enjoying life until life reminded her that every choice has consequences. Sade was no longer the girl who once fought to go to school. The values her mother had tried to plant in her heart had faded . She no longer prayed. She no longer remembered the hardship she once faced. She believed she was in control, but the truth was she was falling. One Friday night, she went out with some boys she had just met at a club, and they had promised to take her and her friends to a private party off campus. The girls agreed without thinking twice. They got into the car and drove off, music blasting and drinks flowing. But when they reached the destination, it was not a party, it was a trap.
Sade found herself in a strange house with unknown faces. Her phone was seized, her friends were locked in another room, and that night, she was gang-raped by three boys who had been monitoring her for weeks. Her cries were ignored, her pleas were mocked, she was left on the cold floor, weak, broken, and in tears. When they left her alone, she managed to escape through a window. She ran, bleeding and shaking, through the dark streets until a kind woman saw her and took her to a nearby hospital. The news spread fast. Her school authority was informed. A case was opened. The hospital confirmed the rape, and Sade was placed under medical care. Two of the boys were caught, and a few days later, the third boy was arrested trying to leave the state. When the police investigated, they found videos and pictures of their crimes, as they had done this to other girls too. Sade, daring to speak up, helped stop them.
As she laid on the hospital bed, her body felt heavy and it seemed like her life was ruined . She cried not just for what had happened, but for how far she had fallen. She remembered her mother, she remembered her prayers, her dreams, and the struggles she overcame just to be in school. Tears streamed down her face as she whispered, “Mummy, I’m sorry.” That moment was the turning point.
Weeks passed as the university gave her time to heal. Many came to visit her, including Mama Tayo, her brother Damola, and even her father. Her father, seeing his daughter in that state, broke down in tears.
“I have failed you again, Sade,” he said, kneeling beside her bed “Your mother was right, I should have been there. I should have taught you, protected you… I’m sorry.”
Sade didn’t speak at first, but her heart forgave. They both cried. It was the beginning of something new.
After her recovery, the university organised a public awareness campaign in her name. She was asked to speak and she did. With tears in her eyes and strength in her voice, she told her story to hundreds of students. She warned the girls. She encouraged the boys to be better. Her bravery was praised across the school, and it even made the news.
Then something unexpected happened. A non-governmental organisation that supported female survivors of abuse saw her story online. One of their founders, a Professor, reached out to her. He visited Sade and offered her a full scholarship to study any higher degree course she wanted in the country. He also gave her a huge sum of money to support her healing and future. She was overwhelmed.
But more than the scholarship, Sade was grateful for something else, which was the second chance she had.
She decided to change her life completely. She cut off the friends who had dragged her down. She stopped going to clubs. She started attending classes seriously again. She joined the fellowship on campus and became a voice for young girls who didn’t have one. She spoke in churches, schools, and youth programs, and her pain became her purpose.
Years later, people no longer remembered her for her past; they respected her for her strength.
One day, Sade stood in front of a classroom, teaching young girls about dignity, self-respect, and purpose. She had followed in her mother’s footsteps.
And as she walked back home that evening, her brother Damola, then in the University, ran to meet her and hugged her tightly.
“You’re my hero,” he said, and Sade smiled.
“No, Damola, our mother is the real hero. I’m just continuing the race she started.”
She had finally become what her mother prayed for: a woman of strength, wisdom, and purpose
