Out of sheer desperation, she agreed to marry the wealthy mans son, who couldnt walk And a month later, she noticed
You must 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 not an ordinary offer, after all. I can imagine whats going through your mind. Weigh it carefullyIll return in a week.
Emily watched him leave, utterly bewildered. His words refused to settle in her mind.
Shed known William Harrington for three years. He owned a chain of petrol stations and several other businesses. Emily worked part-time as a cleaner at one of them. He always greeted the staff warmly and treated 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, a rare moment to herself.
Suddenly, the service door opened, and William appeared.
Mind if I join you?
Emily sprang to her feet.
Of coursewhy even ask?
No need to stand on ceremony. Sit downI dont bite. Lovely weather, isnt it?
She smiled and sat back.
Spring always feels like a fresh start.
Thats because were all sick of winter.
Suppose 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 my daughters young and often ill. When shes well, the neighbour looks after her. But when shes poorly, I have to be there. Margaret and I swap shifts when needed. Shes been a godsend.
I see Whats wrong with the little one?
Oh, dont ask The doctors arent sure. She has these episodesstruggles to breathe, panics. 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 learned William had authorised a bonus for herno explanation, just handed over.
She didnt see him again until he turned up at her flat. Her heart nearly stopped when she opened the door. And his proposal made it worse.
William had a sonJames, nearly thirty. Seven of those years hed spent in a wheelchair after an accident. The doctors did their best, but he never walked again. Depression set inwithdrawn, barely speaking, even to his father.
So William had an idea: marry him off. Properly. Give him a reason to live, to fight. He wasnt sure it would work, but he had to try. And Emily seemed perfect for the role.
Emily, youll want for nothing. Your daughter will have every test, every treatment. Im offering a one-year contract. After that, you leaveno matter what. If James improvesbrilliant. If notyoull be generously compensated.
Emily was speechlessoutrage choked her.
As if reading her mind, William said quietly, Emily, please. Its mutually beneficial. I doubt James will even touch you. Youll have respect, security. Think of it as a marriage of convenience. Just keep this between us.
Wait Does James agree?
The man smiled sadly.
He says he doesnt care. Ill tell him Ive got troublesbusiness, health The main thing is hes married. Properly. Hes always trusted me. So this is a white lie for a good cause.
William left, and Emily sat numb for hours. Anger simmered inside her. But his blunt honesty took the sting out of it.
And if she was honest What wouldnt she do for little Sophie?
Anything.
And him? He was a father too. He loved his son just as fiercely.
Her shift hadnt even ended when the phone rang:
Emily, quick! Sophies having another episodea bad one!
Im coming! Call an ambulance!
She arrived as the ambulance pulled up.
Where were you, Mum? the doctor asked sternly.
At work
This episode was severe.
Should we go to hospital? Emily asked timidly.
The new doctor sighed.
Whats the point? They wont help there. Just frighten her. You need specialistsLondon, perhaps.
Forty minutes later, the medics left.
Emily picked up the phone and dialled William.
I agree. Sophies had another episode.
The next day, they left.
William himself came for themwith a clean-shaven young man.
Emily, pack only essentials. Well buy the rest.
She nodded.
Sophie eyed the car with wonderbig and gleaming.
William crouched before her.
Like it?
Very!
Fancy sitting up front? See everything better.
Can I? Please!
The girl looked at her mother.
If the police see, theyll fine us, Emily said sternly.
William laughed and opened the door.
Hop in, Sophie! If anyone tries to fine uswell fine them back!
The closer they got to the house, the more Emilys nerves frayed.
God, why did I agree? What if hes odd, aggressive?
William noticed her unease.
Emily, relax. The weddings a week away. You can back out anytime. And James is a good ladbright, just broken inside. Youll see.
Emily stepped out, helped Sophie down, and froze. The house wasnt a houseit was a manor. Sophie squealed:
Mum, are we living in a fairy tale now?!
William laughed, scooping her up.
Do you like it?
Yes!
Until the wedding, Emily and James barely spokejust shared dinners. He barely ate, barely spoke. Just sat there, distant. Emily studied him. Handsome, but pale, like hed forgotten the sun. She sensed he carried pain, like her. And she was grateful he never mentioned the marriage.
On the wedding day, it felt like the whole village buzzed around Emily. The dress arrived the day before. When she saw it, she sank into a chair.
How much did this cost?
William smiled.
Emily, best not to ask. Lookheres something else.
He produced a tiny replica of the dress.
Sophie, fancy trying it on?
Her shriek nearly shattered their eardrums. Then the fittingthe little princess paraded, beaming.
Emily turned and saw James. He stood in the doorway, watching Sophie. A faint smile touched his eyes.
Sophie now slept next to their bedroom. Their bedroom. A week ago, Emily couldnt have imagined this.
William suggested a honeymoon at the country estate, but James shook his head.
Thanks, Dad. Well stay home.
The bed was enormous. James kept his distance, made no moves. Emily, whod planned to stay alert, fell asleep almost instantly.
A week passed. They began talking in the evenings. James was sharp-witted, well-read, fascinated by science. He never overstepped. Slowly, Emily relaxed.
One night, she woke with a jolther heart pounding.
Somethings wrong
She rushed to Sophies room. Just as fearedan episode had gripped her.
James, help! Call an ambulance!
He was at the door in seconds, phone in hand. Moments later, a bleary-eyed William hurried in.
Ill call Henry myself.
The ambulance arrived swiftlydoctors in crisp suits, modern equipment. Then the family physician. They conferred after stabilising Sophie. Emily sat with her daughter. James stayed close, holding her hand.
Emily, he asked softly, has she always had these?
Yes Weve been to hospitals, done testsnothing helped. Thats why her father left. Said I was ruining his life.
Did you love him?
Once. Feels like another lifetime
So you agreed to Dads offer
Emily blinked in surprise.
James smiled.
Dad thinks I dont know. But Ive always read him like a book. I feared who hed find. Then I saw youyoure not the sort to do this for money. Now it all makes sense.
He met her gaze.
Emily, dont cry. Well fix this. Sophies a fighter. She hasnt brokenunlike me.
Why did you? Youre clever, kind, handsome
He smirked. Be honestwould you have married me if things were different?
Emily thought, then nodded.
Yes. Loving you seems easier than loving men who play at being heroes. But its not just that.
