Out of sheer desperation, she agreed to marry the rich mans son who couldnt walk And a month later, she noticed something odd.
“Youve got to be joking,” Emily said, staring at William Harrington with wide eyes.
He shook his head.
“No, Im not. But Ill give you time to think. Its an unusual offer, after all. I can imagine whats going through your mind. Weigh it carefullyIll come back in a week.”
Emily watched him leave, utterly bewildered. His words wouldnt sink in.
Shed known William for three years. He owned a chain of petrol stations and a few other businesses. Emily worked part-time as a cleaner at one of them. He always greeted the staff warmly, treating them with kindness. By all accounts, he was a decent man.
The pay was fair, so there was no shortage of applicants. About two months earlier, after finishing her shift, Emily sat outsideher workday nearly done, with a bit of time to spare.
Suddenly, the service door swung open, and William appeared.
“Mind if I join you?”
Emily jumped up.
“Of coursewhy even ask?”
“No need to stand on ceremony. Sit downI dont bite. Lovely weather, isnt it?”
She smiled and sat back.
“Its springfeels like every days a good one.”
“Thats just because were all sick of winter.”
“Maybe youre right.”
“Ive been meaning to askwhy work as a cleaner? Margaret offered to move you to cashier, didnt she? Better pay, easier hours.”
“Id love to. But the shifts dont workmy daughters young and gets poorly. When shes well, the neighbour watches her. But when shes ill, I have to be there. Margaret and I swap shifts when needed. Shes been brilliant.”
“I see Whats wrong with your girl?”
“Oh, dont ask The doctors arent sure. She has these fitscant breathe, panics, all sorts. The proper tests are private. They say she might grow out of it. But I cant just wait”
“Hang in there. Itll sort itself out.”
Emily thanked him. That evening, she found out William had given her an unexpected bonusno explanation, just handed over the money.
She didnt see him again until today, when he turned up at her flat. Her heart nearly stopped when she spotted him. And when she heard his proposalit only got worse.
William had a sonOliver, nearly thirty. Seven of those years had been spent in a wheelchair after an accident. The doctors did all they could, but he never walked again. Depression, withdrawal, barely speakingeven to his father.
So William had an idea: marry his son off. Properly. Give him a reason to live, to fight. He wasnt sure itd work, but he had to try. And he believed Emily was the perfect choice.
“Emily, youll be looked after. Your daughter will get every test, every treatment she needs. Im offering a one-year contract. After that, you leaveno matter what. If Oliver improveswonderful. If notyoull be well compensated.”
Emily was speechlessindignation choked her.
As if reading her mind, William said quietly,
“Emily, please. Help me. Its mutually beneficial. I doubt Oliver would even well, you know. And itll be easier for youyoull be respected, properly married. Think of it as a marriage of convenience. Justnot a word to anyone.”
“Wait does Oliver even agree?”
William smiled sadly.
“He says he doesnt care. Ill tell him Ive got problemsbusiness, health The important thing is hes married. Properly. Hes always trusted me. So this is a white lie for a good cause.”
William left, and Emily sat frozen, anger simmering inside. But his blunt honesty took some of the sting out of the offer.
And if she really thought about it What wouldnt she do for little Sophie?
Anything.
And him? He was a father too. He loved his son just as much.
Before her shift ended, the phone rang.
“Emily, quick! Sophies having a bad fit!”
“Im coming! Call an ambulance!”
She arrived just as the paramedics pulled up.
“Where were you, love?” the doctor asked sharply.
“I was at work”
The episode was severe.
“Should we take her to hospital?” Emily asked hesitantly.
The doctor, new to their case, sighed.
“Whats the point? They wont help there. Just scare the poor thing. You need proper specialistsLondon, maybe.”
Forty minutes later, the paramedics left.
Emily picked up the phone and dialled William.
“I accept. Sophie just had another fit.”
The next day, they left. William himself came for themwith a clean-shaven young man in tow.
“Emily, just grab the essentials. Well buy the rest.”
She nodded. Sophie eyed the carbig and gleamingwith excitement.
William crouched beside her.
“Like it?”
“Very much!”
“Fancy sitting up front? Best view in the house.”
“Can I? Really?”
The girl glanced at her mother.
“The policell fine us,” Emily said sternly.
William laughed and swung the door open.
“Hop in, Sophie! And if anyone tries to fine uswell fine them right back!”
The closer they got to the house, the more nervous Emily grew.
“God, why did I agree? What if hes odd, aggressive?”
William noticed her unease.
“Emily, relax. The weddings not for a week. You can back out anytime. And Olivers a good ladbright, just broken inside. Youll see.”
Emily stepped out, helped Sophie down, and froze, staring at the house. It wasnt a houseit was a manor. Sophie squealed in delight.
“Mum, are we living in a fairy tale now?!”
William chuckled, scooping her up.
“Like it?”
“Very much!”
In the days before the wedding, Emily and Oliver barely spokejust shared a quiet dinner or two. The young man hardly ate, hardly spoke. He just sat there, miles away. Emily studied him. Handsome, but pale, like he hadnt seen the sun in years. She sensed he carried pain, just like her. And she was grateful he never mentioned the marriage.
On the wedding day, it felt like half of London was fussing over Emily. The dress arrived the night before. When she saw it, she nearly collapsed.
“How much did this cost?”
William smiled.
“Best not to ask. Herelook at this.”
He pulled out a tiny replica of the wedding dress.
“Sophie, want to try it on?”
Her shriek was deafening. She pranced around like royalty, beaming.
Then Emily turned and saw Oliver in the doorway, watching Sophie. For the first time, there was something like a smile in his eyes.
Sophie now slept in the room next to theirs. Their bedroom. Just weeks ago, Emily couldnt have imagined this.
William suggested a honeymoon at the country estate, but Oliver shook his head.
“Thanks, Dad. Well stay home.”
The bed was massive. Oliver kept his distance, made no moves. Emily, whod planned to stay awake all night, fell asleep almost instantly.
A week passed. They began talking in the evenings. Oliver was sharp, witty, well-read. He never pushed for more. Slowly, Emily relaxed.
One night, she jolted awakeheart pounding.
“Somethings wrong”
She rushed to Sophies room. Just as she fearedher daughter was mid-fit.
“Oliver, help! Call an ambulance!”
He was at the door in seconds, phone in hand. Moments later, a bleary-eyed William hurried in.
“Ill ring Dr. Bennett myself.”
The ambulance arrived swiftlysmart uniforms, modern kit. Then the family doctor came. They talked at length after the episode passed. Emily sat with Sophie. Oliver stayed close, holding her hand.
“Emily,” he murmured, “has she always had these?”
“Yes Weve been to hospitals, run testsnothing helps. Thats why my ex told me not to ruin his life.”
“Did you love him?”
“Maybe. Feels like forever ago”
“So you agreed to Dads offer”
Emily raised a brow.
Oliver smiled.
“Dad thinks I dont know. But Ive always read him like a book. I was afraid of who hed pick. Then I saw yousurprised me. Youre not the sort to do this for money. Now it all makes sense.”
He looked at her.
“Dont cry. Well fix this. Sophies tough. She hasnt brokenunlike me.”
