The man lifted his hands to the sky and started praying immediately, right there on the road.
“God of heaven, thank you. My daughter, may you go to the best university in this world and graduate with flying colors. You will marry a good husband. You will not suffer. You will not beg. Keep doing good, my daughter. God will reward you.”
Joy’s eyes softened and she smiled. “Amen, Papa. Thank you.”
Then she added, “Tomorrow morning I will pay your son’s school fees when I get to school, so they won’t send him home again.”
The man’s face shone with even more joy. “What would we have done without you? God bless you, Joy. You just saved a life.”
Joy shook her head gently. “It’s nothing, Papa. Please hurry to the hospital.”
He kept thanking her as he walked away quickly, holding the money like hope itself. Joy watched him go, and for the first time in her life, she saw clearly that her kindness could truly change someone’s story.
Two days later, trouble came to Joy’s house through the person she least expected—Tracy.
That afternoon, Joy’s aunt was outside in the compound doing chores when Tracy entered with a face that looked serious and annoyed.
“Good afternoon, Ma,” Tracy said.
“Good afternoon, Tracy. Where is Joy?”
Tracy lowered her voice immediately and moved closer as if sharing a secret. “Ma, I came because I don’t want problem. Please don’t tell Joy I told you.”
Joy’s aunt frowned. “Told her what?”
Tracy looked around, then whispered, “Ma, haven’t you heard? People are saying Joy is now sharing money in this village like a billionaire. Money for school fees, money for hospital, money for food. Everybody is talking.”
Joy’s aunt froze. “Joy… sharing money?”
Tracy nodded. “Yes, Ma. And people are saying she is sleeping with local village men. That’s where the money is coming from. She is stubborn. I don’t want them to say I’m following a bad girl. That’s why I stopped moving with her.”
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