Chapter 1
Bernice
It was a cold night. Rain had poured relentlessly for hours, leaving the streets of Lagos flooded and nearly impossible to navigate.
I pulled my threadbare sweater tighter around myself as I trudged home. Another day wasted searching for a job I would probably never get.
I was soaked, exhausted, hungry, and frustrated.
The worst part wasn't my own hunger.
It was knowing that my mother and younger siblings hadn't eaten either.
The last seven hundred naira I had went to them this morning before I left the house.
At least I could endure the hunger.
They couldn't.
By the time I reached our small apartment, my slippers were caked in mud.
The door flew open before I could knock.
"Aunty Berny!"
My little sister Vicky launched herself toward me.
I laughed despite my mood and hugged her carefully.
"Don't touch me too much, you'll get wet."
She giggled and ran back inside.
I stepped into the living room and found Isaac sprawled on a chair, glued to his phone.
My irritation instantly returned.
"Isaac, don't you have something better to do than stare at that phone all day?"
He barely looked up.
"Welcome back, sister. How was your day?"
"Terrible."
He nodded and returned to his screen.
Typical.
Inside the bedroom, my mother sat on the edge of the bed mending one of Vicky's dresses.
"Good evening, Mum."
She looked up and smiled warmly.
"My angel. How was your day?"
I forced a smile.
"Nothing. Again."
Her eyes softened.
"God's timing is never late, Bernice."
I wanted to believe her.
I really did.
But faith felt difficult on an empty stomach.
Later that night, after everyone had fallen asleep, I lay awake staring at the cracked ceiling.
My phone vibrated.
Unknown Number.
I frowned.
At this hour?
I opened the message.
My heartbeat stopped.
The text contained only one sentence.
If you want to make one million naira in thirty days, reply YES.
