Faith always believed loyalty was simple — you give it, and you get it back.

That’s why she trusted her best friend, Ruth. They grew up together, shared secrets, dreams, and even food when times were hard. Faith believed Ruth was the one person who would never hurt her.

Faith worked for years to build her small business — saving every naira, selling, hustling, learning. And when things finally started going well, Ruth was the first person she told. She celebrated with Faith, encouraged her, called her “sister.”

But jealousy hides behind smiles.

One day, Faith discovered her account was empty. Her documents missing. Her customers gone. Everything she worked for had crashed overnight.

And the betrayal had a name: Ruth.

She had used Faith’s trust to get access to her business, redirected her customers, stole her ideas, and spread lies to ruin her reputation. By the time Faith realized it, it was too late. She had lost everything — her business, her savings, and the friend she once called family.

Faith sat alone in her empty shop, tears sliding down her cheeks.

She whispered to herself, “How could the person I trusted most be the one to destroy me?”

But even in the middle of her heartbreak, she made a silent promise.

She would rebuild.

Without Ruth.

Without fake friends.

Without fear.

Faith had lost everything — but she hadn’t lost herself.

And that was enough to start again.