**Diary Entry**
Out of sheer desperation, she agreed to marry the wealthy mans son who couldnt walk And a month later, she noticed something unexpected.
You must be joking, Emily said, staring at Edward Whitmore with wide eyes.
He shook his head. No, Im not. But Ill give you time to think. The offer isnt exactly conventional. I can guess what youre thinkingweigh it carefully, take a week to decide. Ill come back then.
Emily watched him leave, stunned. His words refused to settle in her mind.
Shed known Edward 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 was always polite, treating staff with kindness. A decent man, by all accounts.
The pay was fair, so there were always applicants. Two months earlier, after finishing her shift, she sat outsideher break nearly over.
Suddenly, Edward appeared. Mind if I join you?
Emily nearly jumped up. Of coursewhy even ask?
No need to stand on ceremony. SitI dont bite. Lovely day, isnt it?
She smiled and settled back. Spring always feels like a fresh start.
Thats because weve all had enough of winter.
Maybe youre right.
Ive been meaning to askwhy work as a cleaner? Sarah offered you a cashier position, didnt she? Better pay, easier hours.
Id love to, but the schedule doesnt suit. My daughters young and often ill. When shes well, the neighbour watches her, but when shes poorly, I have to be there. Sarah and I swap shifts when needed. Shes been a blessing.
I see Whats wrong with your girl?
Emily sighed. The doctors arent sure. She has 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.
That evening, Edward gave her an unexplained bonus.
She didnt see him again until he turned up at her flat. Her heart nearly stopped when she opened the doorand his proposal made it worse.
Edward had a sonJames, nearly thirty. Seven years ago, an accident left him wheelchair-bound. The doctors did their best, but he never walked again. Depression followedsilence, withdrawal, even from his father.
So Edward devised a plan: marry his son off. Properly. To give him purpose, something to fight for. He wasnt certain it would work, but he had to try. And Emily seemed perfect.
Youll want for nothing. Your daughter will have every test, every treatment. A one-year contract. After that, youre freeno matter the outcome. If James improvesbrilliant. If notyoull be well compensated.
Indignation choked her.
Edward sighed. Emily, please. Its mutual. I doubt James will even touch you. Youll be respected, officially married. Think of it as a marriage of convenience. Just dont speak of this to anyone.
Waitdoes James agree?
Edward smiled sadly. He says he doesnt care. Ill tell him its for the business, for my health He trusts me. A necessary lie.
After he left, Emily sat numb. Anger simmered, but his honesty dulled the edge.
What wouldnt she do for little Lily?
Anything.
And him? Just a father, loving his son.
Her shift hadnt ended when the phone rang. Emily, come quick! Lilys having a bad episode!
She rushed home as the ambulance arrived.
Where were you? the doctor snapped.
At work
The episode was severe.
Should we go to hospital? Emily asked.
The doctor shook his head. They wont help. She needs specialistsLondon, perhaps.
After they left, Emily called Edward. Ill do it. Lily just had another episode.
The next day, Edward arrived with a clean-shaven man. Pack only essentials. Well buy the rest.
Lily gaped at the sleek car. Edward crouched before her. Like it?
Yes!
Want to sit up front? Best view.
Lily glanced at Emily.
The police will fine us, Emily warned.
Edward laughed. Hop in! If they try, well fine *them*.
As they neared the house, Emilys nerves frayed. *What have I agreed to? What if hes cruel?*
Edward noticed. Relax. The weddings a week away. You can back out anytime. James is clever, kindjust broken inside. Youll see.
Emily stepped out, helping Lily downthen froze. The house was a mansion. Lily squealed, Mum, are we living in a fairy tale now?
Edward laughed, lifting her. Do you like it?
Yes!
Before the wedding, Emily and James barely spokeonly at dinner. He was quiet, distant, handsome but pale, as if sunlight had abandoned him. She sensed his pain mirrored hers. She was grateful he never mentioned their arrangement.
On the wedding day, chaos surrounded Emily. The dress arrived last minute. She gasped. How much did this cost?
Edward smiled. Best not to ask. Looktheres more. He produced a tiny replica. Lily, shall we try it?
The girl shrieked with joy, parading like a princess.
Emily turnedJames stood in the doorway, watching Lily. A faint smile touched his eyes.
Lily now slept in the room beside theirs. *Theirs.* Weeks ago, Emily never imagined this.
Edward suggested a country honeymoon, but James refused. Well stay home.
The bed was vast. James kept his distance, made no advances. Emily, expecting to lie awake, fell asleep instantly.
Days passed. They talked in the evenings. James was sharp, witty, well-read. He never pushed. Slowly, she relaxed.
One night, she woke with a jolther heart racing. *Somethings wrong.*
She dashed to Lilys room. Another episode. James, call an ambulance!
He grabbed the phone. Moments later, Edward rushed in. Ill ring Dr. Harris.
The ambulance arrived swiftlysmart suits, modern equipment. The family doctor examined Lily, then explained quietly. Emily sat with her daughter. James stayed, holding Lilys hand.
Emily, he murmured, has she always been like this?
Yes. Weve been to hospitals, done testsnothing helped. My ex said I was a burden.
Did you love him?
Once. A lifetime ago
So you agreed to Fathers plan
Emily blinked.
James smiled. He thinks I dont know. But Ive always read him like a book. I feared who hed pick. Then I saw younothing like a gold-digger. Now it makes sense.
He met her eyes. Dont cry. Well fix Lily. Shes strongunlike me.
Why? Youre clever, kind, handsome
He smirked. Be honestwould you have married me if things were different?
Emily hesitated, then nodded. Yes. Loving you would be easier than loving men who play at being heroes. But its more than that.
James smiled. No need to explain. I believe you.
Days later, she found James straining on a strange contraption.
A trainer, he explained. Post-accident, I was meant to use this daily. But I gave up. Now Im ashamed. Before Lily. Before you.
A knock. Edward peered in. May I?
He froze, seeing his son. Swallowing hard, he turned to Emily. Tell me was Lilys birth difficult?
Yes, why?
The doctor thinks they pulled her out too sharplydamaged the temporal bone. Externally, it healed. Internally, its pressing on a nerve.
Emily sank into a chair. What do we do?
Tears fell.
Dont cry, Edward said. Surgery can fix it. Remove the pressure, and shell be well.
But her *head*its dangerous
James took her hand. Listen to him. Shell be okay.
How much?
Edward stared. Thats not your concern. Youre family.
Emily stayed in hospital with Lily. The surgery succeeded. In two weeks, theyd go home.
*Home.*
But where was home now?
James called daily. They talked for hoursabout Lily, about life. It felt like theyd always known each other.
Time flew. The years end loomed. Emily avoided thinking about it.
They returned one evening. Edward met themgrim. Somethings happened James has been drinking.
