EPISODE 2

The dining room remained quiet.

Purity sat at the table, still staring at her phone. A plate of eggs, bread, sausages, and fruit was placed in front of her.

She looked at the food and frowned.

“What is this?”

The cook, Mrs. Ruth, stood a few steps away.

“It is your breakfast, Miss Purity.”

Purity pushed the plate away.

“I can see that. Why are there bananas on my plate?”

Mrs. Ruth looked confused. “You usually eat bananas.”

“Well, I do not want them today.”

“I am sorry. I will remove them.”

Purity suddenly picked up the plate and pushed it toward the edge of the table.

The plate fell to the floor.

It broke into several pieces.

Everyone in the room froze.

Mrs. Ruth stared at the broken plate. Her eyes filled with tears.

Purity leaned back in her chair.

“Now make me another breakfast.”

Matthew slowly placed his cup of coffee on the table.

“Purity.”

His voice was calm, but there was something different about it.

Purity looked at him. “What?”

“Pick up the plate.”

Purity blinked.

For a moment, she thought she had heard him incorrectly.

“What did you say?”

“I said pick up the plate.”

Purity gave a short laugh.

“That is Ruth’s job.”

“No,” Matthew replied. “You pushed it onto the floor. You will pick it up.”

Purity turned to her mother.

“Mum, did you hear what Dad just said?”

Joyce did not defend her.

Instead, she looked directly at her daughter.

“Your father is right.”

Purity’s mouth fell open.

She could not believe it.

Her parents had never spoken to her like this before. Whenever she made a mess, a servant cleaned it. Whenever she became angry, everyone tried to calm her down.

But now, both of her parents were staring at her seriously.

Purity stood up.

“I am going to school.”

“You are not leaving this room until you clean that mess,” Matthew said.

Purity grabbed her school bag.

“Then I will be late.”

“You should have thought about that before throwing the plate.”

Her face became red with anger.

“This is unfair!”

Mrs. Ruth bent down to collect the broken pieces, but Matthew stopped her.

“Please leave it, Ruth.”

Mrs. Ruth hesitated.

Then she slowly stood and stepped back.

Purity looked around the room.

The servants were silent, but she could feel their eyes on her.

She felt embarrassed.

More than anything, she felt insulted.

“How am I supposed to pick it up?” she demanded.

Matthew pointed toward the cleaning cupboard.

“There is a broom and dustpan inside.”

Purity folded her arms.

“I do not know how to use them.”

“That is exactly the problem,” Joyce said quietly.

Purity stared at her mother.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

Joyce stood from her chair.

“It means you are sixteen years old, Purity. You cannot make your own bed. You cannot prepare a simple meal. You cannot even pick up something you dropped.”

“So what? We have servants.”

“They are people,” Joyce said. “They are not machines.”

Purity rolled her eyes.

“Here we go again.”

Matthew’s expression hardened.

“Do not speak to your mother like that.”

Purity picked up her phone.

“I do not have time for this.”

She turned to leave.

Matthew’s next words stopped her.

“If you walk out of this room, your phone will be taken away for one month.”

Purity slowly turned around.

Her face showed complete shock.

“You cannot take my phone.”

“I bought it,” Matthew replied. “I can take it.”

“You are being ridiculous!”

“And you are being disrespectful.”

For the first time that morning, Purity became silent.

Her fingers tightened around her phone.

She looked at the broken plate on the floor.

Then she looked at the servants.

Mary stood near the kitchen door. Sarah was beside the staircase. Mrs. Ruth was wiping tears from her eyes.

Purity hated the situation.

She hated being ordered around.

But she loved her phone more.

With an angry sigh, she walked to the cleaning cupboard.

She opened the door and stared at the broom.

“How does this thing work?”

No one answered.

Purity grabbed the broom and held it awkwardly.

She pushed it across the floor, but instead of gathering the broken pieces, she scattered them farther apart.

Mary quickly covered her mouth to hide a smile.

Purity noticed.

“Do you think this is funny?”

Mary immediately lowered her eyes. “No, Miss Purity.”

“Leave her alone,” Joyce warned.

Purity continued sweeping.

It took her nearly ten minutes to collect the broken pieces. By the time she finished, she was sweating.

She dropped the broom onto the floor.

“There. Are you happy now?”

Matthew looked at the broom.

“Put it back where you found it.”

Purity glared at him.

But she did as she was told.

When she finally left the mansion, her driver was waiting beside the car.

Purity climbed into the back seat and slammed the door.

“Drive.”

The driver, Mr. Daniel, looked at her through the mirror.

“Good morning, Miss Purity.”

“Did you not hear me? I said drive.”

Mr. Daniel sighed and started the car.

During the journey to school, Purity stared angrily out of the window.

She could not understand what had happened to her parents.

They had always given her everything she wanted.

Why were they suddenly behaving like strangers?

Her phone vibrated.

It was a message from her best friend, Anita.

Where are you? Assembly is about to start.

Purity quickly replied.

My parents are acting crazy. I will tell you when I arrive.

A few minutes later, the car stopped in front of Greenfield International School.

Purity stepped out without thanking the driver.

She hurried through the school gates.

Most of the students were already gathered in the assembly hall.

Purity quietly slipped into the row beside Anita.

“You are late,” Anita whispered.

“I know.”

“What happened?”

“My father forced me to sweep the dining room.”

Anita’s eyes widened.

“You? Sweeping?”

“Exactly! Can you imagine?”

Anita tried not to laugh.

Purity frowned. “It is not funny.”

“Sorry.”

The principal, Mrs. Anderson, stepped onto the stage.

The hall became silent.

“Good morning, students.”

“Good morning, ma’am,” everyone replied.

Mrs. Anderson smiled.

“As you all know, our school believes education is not only about books and examinations. It is also about character, discipline, responsibility, and kindness.”

Purity stopped listening.

She looked down at her phone and opened a video.

Anita gently touched her arm.

“Put it away. Mrs. Anderson is looking this way.”

Purity ignored her.

On the stage, Mrs. Anderson continued speaking.

“This year, every student in the senior classes will take part in our Community Responsibility Program.”

Several students began whispering.

Mrs. Anderson raised her hand for silence.

“For two weeks, each student will work in a different part of the school. Some will help in the library. Some will assist in the kitchen. Others will help clean the classrooms and school grounds.”

Purity finally looked up.

“Clean?” she whispered.

Anita nodded nervously.

Mrs. Anderson continued.

“Your assignments have already been decided. They will be posted on the notice board after assembly.”

Purity crossed her arms.

“This school has cleaners. Why should students do their jobs?”

Anita gave her a warning look.

“Keep your voice down.”

But Purity did not lower her voice.

“My parents pay too much money for me to come here and sweep floors.”

The students around her turned to look.

Mrs. Anderson stopped speaking.

Her eyes moved toward Purity.

“Miss Williams, is there something you would like to share with everyone?”

The hall became completely silent.

Purity slowly stood up.

“I was only saying that students come here to learn. We are not cleaners.”

A few students gasped.

Anita covered her face with her hand.

Mrs. Anderson looked calm.

“Do you believe cleaning is beneath you, Miss Williams?”

Purity shrugged.

“I believe everyone should do the job they are paid to do.”

Mrs. Anderson stepped closer to the edge of the stage.

“And what job are you paid to do?”

Some students laughed.

Purity’s face tightened.

“I am a student.”

“Exactly. And your job is to learn. This program is part of your education.”

“I do not see what sweeping floors has to do with education.”

“It teaches responsibility.”

“I already know how to be responsible.”

Mrs. Anderson looked at the phone in Purity’s hand.

“You arrived late to assembly, and you are using your phone while I am speaking.”

Purity quickly placed the phone behind her back.

Mrs. Anderson raised an eyebrow.

“Is that your definition of responsibility?”

A few more students laughed.

Purity felt humiliated.

She was not used to being corrected in public.

“My father will hear about this,” she said.

Mrs. Anderson nodded.

“I am sure he will.”

Purity sat down angrily.

When assembly ended, students rushed toward the notice board to see their assignments.

Anita held Purity’s hand.

“Come on. Let us see what we got.”

They pushed through the crowd.

Anita found her name first.

“Library assistant,” she said happily. “That is not bad.”

Purity searched the list.

Then she saw her name.

Her entire body became still.

Purity Williams — School Kitchen and Dining Hall.

“No.”

Anita read the assignment.

“Oh.”

“No,” Purity repeated. “There must be a mistake.”

“You have to help in the kitchen.”

“I am not doing it.”

“Purity—”

“I said I am not doing it!”

She pushed through the students and marched toward the principal’s office.

Without knocking, she opened the door.

Mrs. Anderson was sitting behind her desk.

She looked up slowly.

“Miss Williams, have you forgotten how to knock?”

Purity placed the assignment paper on the desk.

“I want this changed.”

Mrs. Anderson looked at the paper.

“Why?”

“I cannot work in the kitchen.”

“Do you have a medical condition?”

“No.”

“Then you can work in the kitchen.”

Purity folded her arms.

“I have never worked in a kitchen before.”

“That is why the experience will be useful.”

“I do not cook.”

“You will learn.”

“I do not clean dishes.”

“You will learn that too.”

Purity shook her head.

“My parents will not allow this.”

Mrs. Anderson leaned back in her chair.

“Your parents already know.”

Purity froze.

“What?”

“The school sent information about the program several weeks ago. Your father signed the permission form.”

Purity could not believe what she was hearing.

“My father agreed to this?”

“Yes.”

Purity grabbed her phone.

“I am calling him.”

Mrs. Anderson did not try to stop her.

Matthew answered after two rings.

“Hello?”

“Dad, this school wants me to work in the kitchen.”

“I know.”

Purity’s voice rose.

“You knew?”

“Yes.”

“And you agreed?”

“Yes.”

“But why?”

“Because you need it.”

Purity looked at Mrs. Anderson.

The principal was quietly watching her.

“Tell them to change my assignment.”

“No.”

Purity stepped away from the desk.

“Dad, I am serious.”

“So am I.”

“I am not going to wash dirty plates.”

“Then you will face the school’s punishment.”

Purity’s eyes widened.

“Whose side are you on?”

“I am on the side that will help you become a better person.”

Purity felt tears of anger forming in her eyes.

“You are the worst father in the world.”

The moment the words left her mouth, there was silence on the phone.

Matthew spoke slowly.

“When you return home, we will discuss what you just said.”

Then the call ended.

Purity stared at the screen.

Her father had never ended a call on her before.

Mrs. Anderson pointed toward the chair in front of her desk.

“Sit down, Purity.”

“I do not want to sit.”

“That was not a request.”

Purity slowly sat down.

Mrs. Anderson removed her glasses.

“Your parents are worried about you.”

Purity looked away.

“They are trying to control me.”

“No. They are trying to correct a problem before it becomes permanent.”

“There is nothing wrong with me.”

Mrs. Anderson studied her carefully.

“Three teachers have complained about your behavior this month. You insulted a classmate because her shoes were old. You refused to work with a student because you said her family was poor. Yesterday, you ordered a cleaner to carry your school bag.”

Purity shifted in her chair.

“She was standing there.”

“She is employed to clean the school, not to serve you.”

Purity said nothing.

Mrs. Anderson placed her glasses back on.

“Your kitchen assignment begins tomorrow morning.”

“I will not come.”

“Then you will be suspended.”

Purity stood up.

“You cannot suspend me.”

“I can, and I will.”

Purity stared at the principal for several seconds.

Then she turned and stormed out.

For the rest of the school day, she barely spoke.

She ignored Anita.

She refused to answer questions in class.

At lunchtime, she looked toward the school kitchen.

Several workers were carrying heavy pots and trays.

One of them was an elderly woman named Mrs. Grace.

Purity had seen her many times, but she had never paid attention to her before.

Mrs. Grace was small and thin. Her uniform was old but clean.

She was carrying a tray filled with plates when a student accidentally bumped into her.

The plates fell to the ground.

The student quickly apologized and bent down to help.

But Purity simply watched.

Tomorrow, she would have to work beside people like Mrs. Grace.

The thought made her angry.

When school ended, Mr. Daniel was waiting outside.

Purity climbed into the car.

She expected him to drive home, but after several minutes, she noticed they were travelling in a different direction.

“Where are we going?”

Mr. Daniel kept his eyes on the road.

“Your father asked me to take you somewhere.”

“Where?”

“He said he would explain when we arrive.”

Purity immediately called Matthew.

He did not answer.

She called her mother.

Joyce did not answer either.

Purity became nervous.

“Daniel, take me home.”

“I am following your father’s instructions.”

“I am ordering you to turn around.”

Mr. Daniel remained silent.

The tall buildings slowly disappeared.

The roads became narrower.

The houses became smaller and older.

Children in worn clothes played beside the street.

Purity looked through the window with growing discomfort.

“Where are we?”

Mr. Daniel turned onto a dusty road.

At the end of the road stood a small building with faded paint.

A wooden sign hung above the entrance.

HOPE CHILDREN’S HOME

Mr. Daniel stopped the car.

Matthew and Joyce were standing outside.

Purity stepped out.

“What is this place?”

Her father walked toward her.

“For the next four weekends, you will volunteer here.”

Purity stared at him.

“What?”

“You will help clean, serve food, wash clothes, and take care of the younger children.”

Purity laughed, but no one laughed with her.

“You cannot be serious.”

“I have never been more serious.”

“I am not going inside.”

Matthew looked at her calmly.

“Then you will lose your phone, your allowance, your driver, and every luxury you currently enjoy.”

Purity held her phone tightly.

“You would not do that.”

Matthew took one step closer.

“Try me.”

At that moment, the door of the children’s home opened.

A little girl stepped outside.

She looked about seven years old. Her dress was faded, and her shoes were too large for her feet.

But she had a bright smile.

She walked directly toward Purity.

“Hello,” the girl said.

Purity stared down at her.

The little girl stretched out her hand.

“My name is Mercy. Are you the new helper?”

Purity did not take her hand.

She looked at her parents.

Then she looked at the old building.

For the first time in her life, Purity realized that crying, shouting, and giving orders might not save her.

Her comfortable world was beginning to change.

And she had no idea that the little girl standing in front of her was about to change her life forever.

TO BE CONTINUED…