Today, I understood what happiness truly means.
On her way home, Emily thanked her lucky stars—at least her eldest daughter, Charlotte, would have a happy life. Her own fortune had been less kind, but she held no regrets. She believed everything happened as it was meant to, that life unfolded just as it should.
“It was fate that brought me to Henry,” she thought. “I met him, loved him, and married him. We had Charlotte, though he longed for a son. I wanted to make him happy, so I tried again and gave birth to little Oliver.” But it was after Oliver’s birth that misfortune struck. He was born disabled, confined to a wheelchair for life. Emily sighed heavily as she opened the front door of their terraced house in Manchester.
One evening, Henry learned of their son’s diagnosis, packed his things, and left without hesitation. His parting words were cold: “Don’t depend on me for help.”
After he left, Emily’s heart ached. Charlotte was only six, Oliver was ill, and she wasn’t sure she could manage. Some nights, she sobbed into her pillow, wondering why life had dealt her such a cruel hand.
But one day, she steeled herself. “Tears won’t change a thing,” she whispered. “The children need me. No one else will step in. This is my life, my burden to bear.”
Charlotte went to nursery, then school a year later. Emily poured all her love into Oliver, who adored his mother and sister. Charlotte, in turn, cared for her brother in the evenings, giving Emily time to tend to the house. The three of them grew closer, wrapped in warmth and devotion. Emily was fortunate to find remote work, allowing her to stay with Oliver. As Charlotte grew older, she helped more. Time passed.
When Emily unlocked the front door one evening, she found Charlotte twirling before the mirror in a wedding gown. Tears welled in her eyes—her little girl had blossomed into a beautiful woman. Charlotte was engaged to William, a good man, independent, and even had his own flat in London.
“Lottie, you look absolutely stunning!” Emily beamed. “William won’t believe his eyes when he sees you. Though, isn’t it a bit early to buy the dress? They say it’s bad luck.”
“Oh, Mum, you always know how to spoil the mood,” Charlotte laughed, slipping out of the gown. “It’s fine. William’s got connections at the registry office—we won’t have to wait long.”
Emily nodded. “Just an old superstition. Everything will be perfect—just don’t let William see the dress before the day.”
She checked on Oliver, who brightened at the sight of her. After chatting with him, she headed to the kitchen, lost in thought.
“Charlotte’s grown up so fast,” she mused. “Already in love, ready to marry. William seems decent—I felt it the first time we met. A mother’s instinct is never wrong.” She smiled, recalling his earnest promise:
“I love your daughter, and I swear she’ll want for nothing. She’ll be happy with me. I’ll give her a grand wedding—all expenses covered.”
“William, you’ve put my mind at ease,” Emily had replied, silently thanking heaven for sending her daughter such a man.
With the wedding approaching, Emily suddenly fell ill—weakness, dizziness. The doctor’s expression darkened as he reviewed her tests.
“I don’t mean to alarm you, but further tests are needed.”
Fear gripped her. What if the diagnosis was dire? Charlotte was grown, but Oliver—who would care for him?
She confided in Charlotte. “If something happens to me, Oliver can’t be left alone.”
“Mum, don’t talk like that! You’ll be fine. I’ll take care of him while you’re in hospital.”
“But your wedding—”
“William can postpone it.”
True to his word, William rearranged everything. Emily underwent tests, her mind racing with fears for Oliver.
When the doctor finally entered her room, his smile was reassuring. “You’ve been worrying yourself sick over nothing. It’s just a benign growth—no surgery needed. You’ll live a long life, but we’ll monitor it.”
Relief flooded her, yet doubt lingered. “What if he’s hiding something?”
At home, Charlotte pressed for answers. Emily shared her fears, but her daughter was firm. “Mum, stop borrowing trouble. Trust the doctor.”
Still, Emily couldn’t shake the thought—what if she died? Who would care for Oliver? Days later, she called Charlotte. “We need to talk.”
Charlotte arrived quickly, sensing her mother’s distress. “What now?”
“Promise me, if anything happens, you won’t abandon Oliver.”
“Mum, I’ve told you—I’d never leave him!”
“Then let’s make it official. I want you named his legal guardian.”
Charlotte hesitated but agreed. “I’ll tell William. He knows a solicitor.”
“And if William objects?”
“Why would he? He loves me—and Oliver. You’ve seen them together.” She kissed Emily’s cheek and hurried off.
Later, she confronted William. “There’s something you should know.”
His reaction stunned her. “You’re mad! Taking on a disabled brother? What about our future? Our children? I won’t have you tied down like that. Hire a carer or find a care home—I’ll pay!”
Charlotte recoiled. “I’d never abandon him. I only wanted Mum to feel at ease.”
“And I won’t have a wife chained to an invalid!” he snapped. “I want a normal life—children, a happy home!”
Silently, she packed her things. As she reached the door, he called, “Think it over.”
“I don’t need time. I have a brother—that’s all that matters.”
Emily wept when Charlotte returned. “Forgive me. I’ve ruined your life.”
“If William loved me, he’d accept my family. I won’t marry a man who only thinks of himself.”
“But men need attention. How could you give him that with Oliver to care for?”
“My decision’s final.”
William lay awake all night, anger dissolving into shame.
“Would she have left me if I were in Oliver’s place?” Memories surfaced—defending a disabled boy in his youth. “Oliver’s just like him—kind, full of light.”
Guilt gnawed at him. “When did I become so heartless? How could I hurt her like that?”
The next morning, he stood at their door, contrite. “Forgive me. I was wrong—a thousand times wrong.”
Emily let him in, tears streaming. Charlotte emerged, wary.
“Lottie, I’m sorry. I’ll make it right—for all of you.”
He went to Oliver, who smiled weakly. “Do you trust me?”
“Yes,” Oliver managed.
“Tea, everyone,” Emily said, her heart lighter than it had been in years. As Charlotte and William entertained Oliver, she poured the tea, realizing in that moment what true happiness was—the simple joy of family, love, and second chances.
