Her Stepmother Forced Her To Marry A Poor Security Guard, Instead Of Her Rich Suitor

FAITH: The Woman Who Was Mocked and Chosen

Prologue – The Girl in the Shadows

Faith had learned long ago that love, in her house, was not for everyone.
It belonged to Precious and Anita—the daughters of her stepmother, Madam Gloria.
They had the silk sheets, the new shoes, and the right to dream.

Faith?
She had a bucket, a rag, and a list of chores longer than the road to town.

The air always smelled of detergent and salt water because she scrubbed floors till her palms bled. The old walls of her father’s house, once warm with laughter, now echoed with the sting of orders barked at her day after day.

Her father’s portrait hung in the hallway—a photograph of a man who had once been proud, kind, and strong. His smile was a ghost now.
He had died believing his wife would care for his only daughter.

Faith often wondered if he could see her now. Would he still call her his “sunshine”?
Would he still smile, knowing she lived as a servant in his own home?

Chapter One – The Waiting

The night was quiet, save for the lonely cry of a distant dog.
The moon hung like a cold coin in the sky, silvering the edges of the rusty gate where Faith sat waiting.

Her head drooped; her back ached. The gatehouse clock had struck midnight an hour ago.

“Faith!”

The voice cut through the night like a whip.

Her stepmother.

Faith jerked up, wiping the drool from her chin.

“You’re still here?” Madam Gloria snapped from the veranda, her silk robe glittering under the light. “You useless girl. You think waiting is sleeping? Precious and Anita will be home soon. If that gate isn’t open before their car stops, I’ll make sure you sleep outside with the dogs.”

“Yes, Ma,” Faith whispered.

Her voice always came out small when she spoke to her stepmother.

When she finally heard the sound of music and laughter from down the street, she stood, rubbed her eyes, and unlocked the gate.

Two headlights cut through the dark. A shiny white sedan rolled in, music blasting from the speakers. The smell of perfume, alcohol, and arrogance filled the air as her stepsisters stumbled out.

Precious, tall and bold, tossed her clutch bag at Faith. “Pick it up, slave. You’re good for something after all.”

Anita giggled, her voice slurred. “Look at her! Always barefoot, like some village girl.”

Faith bent down silently, picked up the bag, and held the gate open. She thought she’d made it through the night—until a hard slap burned across her face.

Her stepmother stood behind her, her eyes blazing. “You were sleeping again, weren’t you?!”

Faith trembled. “No, Ma. I was just—”

“Liar!” Madam Gloria grabbed her ear and twisted. “You’re good for nothing, just like your useless mother.”

Faith bit her lip until it bled.

That night, as her stepsisters laughed over dinner, Faith stood by the table, waiting for permission to clear the plates. She hadn’t eaten since dawn.

When she was finally dismissed, she curled up on a mat near the kitchen, whispering to herself the only prayer she knew by heart:

“God, please don’t let my heart grow bitter.”

Chapter Two – The Stranger by the Road

Three days later, the sun burned hot against Faith’s back as she carried two heavy bags from the market.
Her faded dress stuck to her skin.

As she reached the corner by the bus stop, a sleek black car slowed beside her. The tinted window rolled down, revealing a man in his thirties wearing a navy-blue suit and a watch that gleamed like liquid gold.

“Excuse me,” he said with a warm smile. “Can I give you a ride?”

Faith startled. “No, thank you, sir.”

“It’s a long walk,” he said, his tone kind. “You look tired.”

“I’m fine,” she said quickly, clutching her bags.

He followed slowly in the car, amused. “You’re brave. Most people would jump in without asking who I am.”

Faith stopped. “That’s why I’m not most people.”

He chuckled. “Fair enough. My name’s Daniel.”

She said nothing, only kept walking.
When she reached her gate, she turned sharply. “Please go. If my stepmother sees you, I’ll be in trouble.”

But it was too late. The veranda door creaked open.

“In trouble for what?” Madam Gloria’s voice sliced through the air.

“Good afternoon, Ma,” Faith stammered. “He was just—”

Daniel stepped out of the car smoothly. “Good afternoon, ma’am. I was only offering her a lift. She dropped something near the road.”

Madam Gloria’s eyes gleamed like a predator’s. Her gaze swept over Daniel’s tailored suit, his car, his polished shoes. “Oh, that’s kind of you, young man. Please, come in for a drink.”

Faith froze. “Ma, please, I—”

“Quiet!” her stepmother hissed.

Within minutes, Precious and Anita appeared, all smiles and sweetness, like angels rehearsing for heaven.

Daniel smiled politely, shook hands, and excused himself.
But when Madam Gloria called him back, Anita offered to walk him to his car.

Faith watched from the gate as her stepsister leaned on the car window, laughing.

Something inside her whispered: Your kindness will always cost you.

Chapter Three – The Exchange

The next morning, Madam Gloria was all smiles.

“Faith,” she said sweetly, “do you know that man from yesterday?”

Faith shook her head. “No, Ma.”

“Well,” her stepmother continued, “he likes your sister Anita. And that’s a good thing, because she deserves a good man. You should be happy for her.”

Faith looked up, confused. “But… he spoke to me, Ma.”

The woman’s smile vanished. “Are you jealous? You think you’re better than my daughters?”

“No, Ma,” Faith said quickly, lowering her eyes.

“Good,” Madam Gloria said. “Because if you ever speak to him again, I’ll throw you out of this house.”

That evening, Faith overheard Anita bragging on the phone.
“Yes, Daniel’s taking me to the new restaurant tomorrow. I told him I’m studying business at the university. Of course, I didn’t tell him Faith’s the maid!”

Faith’s heart broke.
She cried silently that night, her tears falling into the soap water as she scrubbed dishes.

She never saw Daniel again.

At least, not for a long time.

Chapter Four – The Arrangement

A month later, Madam Gloria called Faith into the parlor.
“Faith,” she said, smiling coldly. “Someone wants to marry you.”

Faith blinked. “Marry me?”

“Yes. His name is Eddie. He’s a security guard in one of the big estates nearby. A good, hardworking man.”

Faith’s hands went cold. “Ma, I don’t even know him.”

Her stepmother slammed the table. “You want to die in this house? You’re already twenty-three, and no man wants you. Do you want to be a burden forever?”

Faith swallowed hard. “But—”

“No buts,” Madam Gloria snapped. “He’s coming with his people tomorrow.”

And so, without ceremony, Faith was married off to a man she had spoken to only once.

No wedding dress, no music, no family blessing.
Just a worn wrapper, a few witnesses, and the cruel laughter of her stepsisters.

Chapter Five – The Quarters

Eddie’s “home” was a single room beside a mansion gate—barely enough space for a bed and a small stove.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly, watching her eyes. “This is all I can afford right now. I’m still saving.”

Faith looked around, smiled softly, and said the words that would forever define her:

“It’s small… but it’s ours.”

He blinked, surprised. “You don’t mind?”

She shook her head. “I’ve never had much. This is enough.”

He pulled out a few crumpled notes—his salary advance. “Please, take this. Cook something. I’ll find more work soon.”

She took the money, smiled, and went to the market.

That evening, he returned to the smell of stew and warm food. Faith had somehow turned a handful of naira into a meal.

As they ate, he watched her quietly.
Finally, he asked, “Faith, why are you so kind? Everyone talks down to you, but you never complain.”

She smiled. “Because I know who I am. And I know God isn’t finished with me yet.”

Eddie said nothing. But something in his heart shifted.

Chapter Six – The Mansion

One morning, a convoy of cars swept through the gate. The mansion’s owner had returned.

Eddie straightened his uniform. “That’s my boss,” he said, pointing.

Faith froze. It was Daniel.

Beside him was Anita—her stepsister—now wearing a diamond ring.

Their eyes met. Daniel stiffened. “Faith?”

“Yes, sir,” she whispered.

Anita sneered. “Oh, look who we have here. The maid turned security wife.”

Faith lowered her gaze. “Welcome home, ma.”

From that day, life became a quiet humiliation.
Anita ordered Faith around whenever she visited.

“Clean the patio!”
“Wash my car!”
“Tell your husband to stand straighter when he salutes my husband!”

Faith obeyed without complaint.

But Daniel was restless. Every time he saw Faith’s gentle smile, guilt twisted inside him.

He knew what his greed had cost her.

Chapter Seven – The Temptation

It began subtly.
Daniel lingered near the gate longer than necessary. He’d ask her how she was, if she was eating well, if Eddie treated her kindly.

Faith always answered politely but distantly.

One evening, he came to the kitchen where she was helping the cook.
“Faith,” he said softly, “you don’t belong here. I can take care of you.”

She looked up, startled. “Sir?”

“I mean it. Leave that man. I’ll give you everything—cars, a house, your own business.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “Sir, please don’t say that.”

He stepped closer. “I’m offering you a better life.”

Faith’s voice shook. “I already have one. It’s small, but it’s built on peace, not pride.”

She fled before he could reply.

When she told Eddie, he sighed deeply. “Please don’t make trouble. He’s my boss.”

Faith stared at him, speechless.
Her husband didn’t even defend her.

Still, she stayed.

Chapter Eight – The Exposure

One afternoon, Anita returned unexpectedly—and what she found shattered everything.

Her husband, Daniel, was in bed with her sister Precious.

“Daniel!” she screamed. “You’re sleeping with my sister?”

Faith and Eddie rushed in.

Precious hid behind Daniel, crying. “It’s not what you think!”

Anita turned on Faith, her anger misplaced. “You brought bad luck into this house! You cursed everything!”

Eddie stepped forward calmly. “Enough. You’ve said enough.”

“Who are you to speak here?” Anita sneered. “A common gate man?”

Faith reached for her husband’s hand. “Let’s go.”

But Eddie didn’t move.
Instead, he looked at them all—at the chaos, the hypocrisy, the cruelty—and smiled quietly.

“Before we go,” he said, “perhaps I should tell you something.”

Anita scoffed. “What could you possibly have to say?”

He looked straight at Daniel. “I own this house.”

The room went silent.

Everyone stared. Then Precious laughed nervously. “You? You’re joking, right?”

Eddie didn’t blink. “I’m not joking. My name is Edward Clifford. CEO of Clifford Oil & Gas. Daniel works for me.”

Anita’s laughter died instantly.
She turned to Daniel. “Tell me he’s lying.”

Daniel swallowed hard. “He’s… he’s telling the truth.”

Faith’s mouth fell open. “Eddie… what are you saying?”

He turned to her, his voice soft but steady.

“I wanted to find a woman who would love me for who I am, not for what I have. After my father died heartbroken from betrayal, I swore I would never marry a woman driven by greed. I disguised myself to see what love really looked like. And now… I’ve found it.”

He took her hand. “You’ve shown me what true faith means.”

Faith’s knees trembled. “You… you’re rich?”

He smiled. “Rich enough to give you the world—but happier just to give you my heart.”

Tears filled her eyes. “Eddie… or should I say, Edward?”

He laughed softly. “Just call me yours.”

Chapter Nine – The Return

Weeks later, a white Mercedes-Benz pulled into Madam Gloria’s compound.

The neighbors whispered as the gates swung open.

Faith stepped out, dressed in a shimmering gown. Beside her, Edward looked like the man from every magazine cover.

Madam Gloria nearly fainted. “Faith?!”

Edward handed her a brown envelope. “That’s one million naira—for your daughter’s bride price.”

Her voice shook. “Faith, my child, please forgive me. I didn’t know—”

Faith looked at her calmly. “I don’t hate you, Ma. But I’ve moved on. I have nothing against you… and nothing with you anymore.”

Madam Gloria’s lips trembled. “Please—”

Faith turned away, took Edward’s arm, and walked back toward the car.

Precious stood by the gate, her eyes wet.
“This could have been me,” she whispered.

But it was too late.

Because love built on greed always collapses,
while love built on faith always rises.

Epilogue – The Rise of Faith

Months later, Faith launched The Faith Foundation — a charity dedicated to empowering women trapped in abusive homes.

At the opening ceremony, reporters asked her what inspired it.

She smiled gently. “Pain was my teacher,” she said. “Kindness was my revenge. I want every girl who’s been told she’s not enough to know she’s already more than they can imagine.”

Edward stood beside her, pride shining in his eyes. “She taught me that true wealth isn’t in what you own,” he said softly. “It’s in who stands beside you when you have nothing.”

The crowd applauded.

Faith looked up at the sky and whispered,
“Papa, your sunshine finally found her light.”