Another Shot at Happiness
Amelia woke up feeling like today was special. It was her eighteenth birthday, and she just knew something wonderful was about to happen. Her heart already fluttered with excitement, and more than anything, she dreamed of a delicate ring—a slim band with a tiny diamond.
“Happy birthday, love!” Her parents stepped into her room, her mum holding a little velvet box, her dad beaming with pride.
Amelia sprang up, flipped open the box, and slipped the ring onto her finger, breathless.
“It’s perfect… Thank you! But—this must’ve cost a fortune…”
“You’re worth every penny, sweetheart,” her dad chuckled.
Mum winked. “And that’s not all. Since we’re on holiday and you’re off school, we’re going to the seaside. Bags are packed, the car’s waiting!”
Amelia couldn’t believe her luck. The beach! Sunshine! New swimsuits! Her mates would be so jealous—especially Sophie, who bragged nonstop about her fancy holidays.
The rain had eased as they left town, the motorway buzzing with traffic. Amelia stared out the window, daydreaming about coming back tanned and happy…
Then—blackness.
She woke in a white hospital room. Every inch of her ached, movement sending sharp pains through her body. A nurse in a pale-blue uniform adjusted her pillows.
“Easy now, love. Don’t try to move. I’ll fetch the doctor.”
Amelia shifted slightly—then panic hit.
“Where’s Mum? Dad?! I need to see them!”
The doctor, an older man with round glasses, sat beside her. His voice was steady but firm.
“Amelia… There was an accident. Your car collided with a lorry. Your parents… didn’t make it. I’m so sorry.”
The world shattered. Not pain—just hollow emptiness. She refused to believe it. No, her dad always drove carefully…
But the doctor wasn’t lying.
Days passed. Amelia lay under the hum of drips, whispering for her parents in her sleep. One evening, the doctor sat by her bed.
“Amelia… You’ve had two major surgeries. We saved you. But… you won’t be able to have children. I’m sorry.”
The second blow cut deeper than the first.
After leaving hospital, she learned her only family was an elderly grandmother up in Scotland, frail and alone. Her only friend was Sophie, who visited out of obligation, sometimes bringing along a lad named James. They’d strolled through the park a few times—until he vanished.
Then Sophie showed up one day with Daniel. He noticed Amelia straight away—her quietness, her solemn eyes. When he heard her story, he wanted to help.
He started visiting more. Sometimes alone. They walked together. Amelia laughed again—really laughed—for the first time in months. But guilt gnawed at her. She had to talk to Sophie.
“Sophie… I’m sorry if you’re upset about Daniel.”
“What, you’ll dump him if I am?” Sophie scoffed.
Amelia faltered. “No, I—I just don’t want to lose you.”
Sophie nodded, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes.
“That broken girl… And Daniel’s falling for it. Should’ve never introduced them.”
Daniel, though, never seemed to see Amelia’s scars. Just her eyes. He brought flowers. Said he loved her.
Amelia bloomed—but fear lingered. One day, she confided in Sophie.
“The doctor said… I can’t have kids. How do I tell him? He’ll leave.”
“Of course you should tell him,” Sophie said, sickly sweet. “He deserves to know.”
Then she raced to Daniel. Twisted the truth.
“Amelia’s infertile. Doubt she’ll tell you, but you should know what you’re getting into.”
Daniel just stared. Then: “Cheers. That’s all I needed.”
And left.
Amelia paced her flat, steeling herself to confess.
When Daniel walked in, she trembled. “There’s something I have to tell you—”
He pulled her into a hug. “Don’t. I know. And I don’t care. I love you.”
She never asked how he knew. It didn’t matter. He was here.
Their wedding was small but joyful. Then one evening, he said:
“Let’s adopt.”
She sobbed. It was her lifeline.
Soon, they had little Emily.
Amelia spoiled her rotten—only the best for her girl. But when Emily started school, Daniel grew uneasy.
“Can’t you see? She’s not studying. She’s playing you.”
“All girls experiment with makeup,” Amelia dismissed.
Emily schemed. Hid her phone, faked her homework. Her dad hated the lying.
“She’s cheating. Are you blind?”
“I trust my daughter!”
Emily heard everything. One day, she whispered:
“Mum… Dad hit me. Three times.”
When Daniel came home, Amelia blocked the door.
“Get out. I won’t let you hurt my child.”
“Amelia, what—? I’d never! She’s lying!”
“I believe my daughter.”
He packed his bags. Left.
In her room, Emily grinned. Now everything was hers.
Years passed. Amelia grew tired of the lies, of Emily’s demands. Money vanished. She missed Daniel. His voice. His warmth.
“Forgive me…” she whispered at night.
She dreamed of knocking on his door again. The smell of coffee. A man who’d still take her back.
Maybe fate would give her another chance. She’d had one before… and lost it.
