—Just one smile, darling. Everyone will love you.
Zina turned her face away.
The fourth was Rebecca Ezeani, daughter of an oil magnate, elegant and cold. When Zina accidentally dropped a spoon, Rebecca whispered without moving her smile.
—A child raised in wealth should not behave like a kitchen girl.
Zina heard it. So did Amara.
Amara Okafor, the housemaid, froze near the dining entrance with a tray in her hands. She was 27, quiet, beautiful in a simple way, wearing a neat black-and-white uniform. She had worked in the Balogun house for almost 2 years. She knew Zina’s nightmares, her favorite pap, the song that calmed her during storms, and the exact way she liked her school ribbons tied. But to the guests, Amara was just staff.
The fifth woman was Sabrina Bello, founder of a children’s charity. She sounded kind in public, but when she passed Amara in the hallway, she murmured low enough for only the maid and Zina to hear.
—Don’t get too close to rich children. Servants who forget their place always end badly.
Amara looked down. Zina’s eyes filled with tears.
Tade did not hear that part. He was speaking to a senator near the bar, still believing he had chosen carefully.
When it was time to cut the cake, he smiled proudly and brought Zina forward.
—My angel, you have met them all. I will not force you. But if you could choose someone to be close to you, someone to care for you like a mother, who would you choose?
The guests leaned in, delighted by the drama.
Vanessa smiled. Clara lifted her chin. Olivia adjusted her hair. Rebecca looked confident. Sabrina’s mouth curved with quiet expectation.
Zina looked at all 5 women.
Then she turned away from them and ran straight to Amara.
The tray shook in Amara’s hands.
Zina wrapped her arms around the maid’s waist and began to sob.
