Chapter 1 – A Fresh Start

Millie came out of the jail. She was free now. She was a young woman, but she felt old in her heart. She had made a mistake in the past. She had paid for that mistake. Now she wanted a new life. She told herself, I will not go back. I will move forward. This is my new beginning.

She had no money. She had no home. She had no family waiting for her. She walked and thought about her future. Her heart said, Do not give up. You must try. If you stop, you will lose everything.

Millie started to look for work. She went to one place and asked. The man said no. She went to another place. The woman said no. She asked again and again. The answer was always the same. People did not trust her. She knew why. Her past was heavy. Her past followed her. She felt sad. She felt alone. But she said to herself, One day I will find one chance.

One afternoon Millie saw a small notice. It said, A family needs help. Cooking. Cleaning. Taking care of a child. Live in the house. Millie looked at the words again and again. She thought, This is for me. I can do this. She called the number.

Next day she went for the interview. A man opened the door. He looked at her and said, You want to work? Millie answered, Yes. I can work hard. I only need one chance.

The man called his wife. She came and looked at Millie. She was quiet for a long time. Then she said, Can you start soon? Millie said, Yes. I can start tomorrow. The wife said, Good. We will try you.

A little girl came into the room. She hid behind her mother. She looked at Millie. Millie smiled. The girl smiled back. Millie felt something warm inside. It was a small light in her heart.

That night Millie sat with her small notebook. She wrote simple words. Today I am free. Today I got a chance. I will not waste it. I will work. I will stay strong. This is my new beginning.

She closed the notebook. She held it close. She spoke softly to herself. I will not lose again. I will not break again. I will stand. I will protect myself. And maybe this house will change my life.

Millie lay down. Her eyes closed slowly. Her mind was full of thoughts. She asked herself, What will happen tomorrow? What will I see in this new house? She did not know the answer. But one thing was sure. Her new beginning had already started.