I shut down my computer at the end of another busy day, gathering my things and preparing to leave. Just as I put on my coat, Angela, our receptionist, called out, Miss Evelyn, theres a young woman here insisting on seeing you. She said its personal.
I frowned, curiosity piqued. Send her in. Lets see what this is about.
A petite, curly-haired girl stepped into my office, wearing a very short skirt. She looked barely more than a teenager.
Good afternoon. Im Charlotte. I want to propose a deal, she blurted out.
Hello, Charlotte. Im intrigued. We dont know each other, do we?
No, not really. But I know your husband, Nick. Quite well, actually. She placed a sheet of paper on my desk.
I picked it up, scanning quickly: Charlotte Walker, pregnancy: 5-6 weeks.
Whats this supposed to mean? Why are you showing this to me?
Its all quite clear. Im pregnant by your husband.
I just stared at her, stunned. Could this really be happening?
And what exactly do you want from me? My congratulations?
No. Money if you value your marriage, that is.
On what grounds? I asked, struggling to keep my composure.
Ill have an abortion and walk away from Nicks life. He doesnt know about the baby youre the first. But if you refuse, hell leave you for me, since youre infertile and cant have children. I know everything about you. She smiled, cold as ice. So, what do you say?
My mind was swimming. I tried to think.
How much are you after for this secret?
Only thirty thousand pounds. Its pocket change to you. That way, you can keep your precious husband and grow old together.
How charitable of you! Thank you so much for the opportunity, I bit back. Leave your number. Ill think about it and get in touch.
But dont take too long. Times ticking I need to get things sorted quickly if I have to you know.
She scribbled her number on a slip of paper and sauntered out.
Angela poked her head in. Are you alright, Miss Evelyn? The cleaner is waiting.
Yes, Im off. See you tomorrow, Angela.
As I walked to my car, my heart pounded. Who even was this Charlotte? Could Nick truly have done such a thing?
At home, I sat at our dining table, the paper still clutched in my hand, waiting for Nick to come in.
Darling, Im home! Something smells wonderful! he called.
Come in here and find out, I replied.
Nick wandered into the kitchen, rubbing his hands together, but stopped short when he saw my expression.
Whats wrong? Youre scaring me, Jo.
Nick, who is Charlotte Walker?
She works for one of the firms we partner with. Why?
She says shes pregnant by you. Here, read this.
His face turned ashen as he read. This is mad. I swear on my cricket bat nothing happened between us! I dont understand.
She wants thirty thousand pounds for an abortion. Otherwise, she’ll cling to you claims Im barren and cant compete. Thats her story.
Jo, Im telling you, I havent a clue. Shes making this all up! Id never
I believe you, I interrupted softly. I might not think youre a saint, but I know people, and shes lying. Shes after easy money.
Ill do any test or whatever you want you know Ive nothing to hide. Shes mad! he insisted. I dont want anyone but you, my love.
Alright, I believe you. Lets have dinner and talk no more about it tonight.
The next day, I called Charlotte and asked her to come back to my office. Half an hour later, she stood before me looking expectant.
Charlotte, I trust Nick. Hes not the father. Try your luck elsewhere. If you want to go through with an abortion, do it. I wont be paying you.
Youre a strange woman Why do you trust him so much? Think youre invincible? Have you looked in the mirror lately? Youre forty, no matter how well youve aged. There will always be younger and prettier women.
Do you have anything else to say?
I do. Ill offer you the baby, then. Run all the tests you want. Nick is definitely the father. Ill have the baby and you can take it for thirty thousand. Simple.
But you claim he had nothing to do with you. How do you explain that?
Alright, Ill tell you the truth. About six weeks ago we had a work party. Before that, a mutual acquaintance had mentioned Nick was married to a wealthy woman who couldnt have children. The perfect target, really. I wanted a baby and money.
She smirked. I tried to seduce Nick, but he was uninterested. Most men jump at me. I wasnt used to being ignored. In the end, I took a more direct approach. My sisters a chemist she gave me a powder that makes people lose their memory temporarily.
I slipped it into Nicks drink, took him back to mine, he was completely under. My timing was perfect, I was ovulating. Now Im pregnant and he remembers nothing. I have proof I filmed it, if you want to see.
She showed me a video on her phone. Nick, naked on a bed, his face blank. My blood ran cold.
For me, an abortion is nothing. But I do love easy money. I doubt youll go to the police, given your position. No one wants a scandal.
I stared at her in disbelief. Charlotte, you belong in prison. Youre a fraud and a thief.
I do what I must! I have debts to pay, and my last sugar-daddy died. Think about it, Miss Evelyn. Ill be in touch.
She swept out, leaving me drained. I poured myself some water, my head pounding.
That evening, I told Nick everything. He was just as shocked as I was.
She used me Ill call the police
Nick, stranger things have happened in this world. Lets think rationally. I read online that after the seventh week of pregnancy, they can do a DNA test on the mother’s blood.
Lets start there. Find out if the child is truly yours. We always wanted a child of our own it just wasnt meant to be. Adopting from the care system never felt right for us. But maybe, if its your child However twisted the path, maybe its fate offering us a chance.
Nick stormed out of the room. Were not paying her a penny! Let her have the abortion and be done! I dont want a child this way!
I watched him go, my mind drifting back ten years
Nick and I met at university, inseparable from the start. Wed married, rented a tiny flat, and built our lives piece by piece. I rose quickly in my career, with help from Uncle Richard, who gave me the start-up funds for my first business.
When our fortunes improved, we paid back every penny, with interest. Nick opened his own shop. But no matter how we tried, children never came.
One night, on our way home from dinner, a group of drunken youths attacked us. One lunged with a knife; I shielded Nick and was stabbed.
The doctors saved my life, but the damage meant Id never have children. They had to perform a hysterectomy. I was heartbroken, Nick devastated. He never quite forgave himself. Sometimes, Id retreat to the local church, light a candle, and pray for those I loved. When I gave alms to a frail old woman at the church gate, she peered up at me.
Thank you, dear. I see sadness in you. Dont fret, your troubles will pass, she murmured.
Ill be alright, but Ill never have children I sighed.
I know what thats like, she said softly. But mark my words: a child will come to you in the most surprising way.
Id thought little of it. Old women at churches often have words for those in pain.
Work became my focus, and Nick and I only grew closer. And thenthis madness.
I persuaded Nick to do the DNA test, and Charlotte did, too. By the ninth week, we had the results. Nick was the father.
So? Do you believe me now? If you want the baby, pay up, Charlotte smirked.
Lets get this straight, I replied, calm but firm. There are plenty of women we could pay to be a surrogate for less. We never intended to, but since circumstances are what they are, well take the child and pay you fifteen thousand. No more.
I told you thirty! she snapped.
Were in charge now. Take it or leave it. If not, you get nothing, and youre lucky we dont report you. Your choice.
A few moments later, Nick came home. I sorted it well have a child after all.
Oh, Jo, is this really what we want? Paying someone like her
Maybe, Nick, maybe its the sort of strange blessing fate sometimes gives. Lets accept it.
Throughout her pregnancy, Charlotte kept her appointments, ate well, and did everything expected. When the time came, a healthy boy was born. She gave him up willingly; Nick, as father, brought him home, and Charlotte vanished with the money. Everyone was told the baby came from a surrogate.
Thank you for carrying Nicks child, I said as she signed the papers.
Little Alex settled into our home, and one evening, I smiled at Nick.
Look at him hes got your eyes.
You think? He is quite the charmer, like me, he grinned.
Remember that old woman at the church? I told you about her. She said a child would come to us in the most unexpected way And here he is.
We gazed at our son, uncertain what the future might bring, but at that moment, deeply happy.
The universe, it seems, answers prayers in strange, roundabout ways…
* * *
A few months later, as I watched the evening news, I caught a report Charlotte had been found dead in her flat. The circumstances were under investigation. Shed played her last hand.
