Another Chance at Happiness
Emily woke up feeling joyful—it was her eighteenth birthday, and she knew her parents had a gift for her. She didn’t know what it was, but she had a hunch. She’d been dreaming of a delicate gold ring with a tiny diamond.
“Love, wake up! Happy birthday! Look what we got you,” her mother said, holding out a small ring, while her father stood proudly beside her.
“Thank you, Mum, Dad!” She jumped up and slid the ring onto her finger. “Oh, it’s beautiful!” She hugged each of them in turn and kissed their cheeks. “But it must’ve cost so much!”
“Would we really deny our only daughter such a gift on her eighteenth birthday, especially when she’s wanted it for so long?” her father said warmly.
“Come on, sweetheart, there’s more,” her mother added. “We’ve planned a surprise—a trip to the seaside. We’re all on holiday, and your uni break lines up perfectly.”
“Really? You sneaky things, keeping it a secret! But what about packing?”
“I’ve already done it. Just check to see if you need anything else,” her mother said before leaving the room.
Emily was overjoyed, though the rain outside dampened her spirits a little. By the time they left the house, however, it had stopped. They packed the car and set off, joining the motorway out of London. Emily imagined sunbathing and swimming, returning home with a tan that would make her friends—especially her best mate, Sophie—green with envy.
Emily forced her eyes open and tried to sit up, crying out in pain. Her whole body ached fiercely.
“Stay still, don’t move,” came the voice of a woman in a white coat adjusting her pillow. “I’ll fetch the doctor.”
An older, bespectacled doctor took her hand gently. “There was an accident on the motorway—a lorry skidded and hit your car head-on.” He spoke carefully, softening the blow.
“Mum? Dad? Where are they? I need to see them!” Tears streamed down Emily’s face.
“Emily, you must be strong. Your parents didn’t survive. You’re lucky to be alive.”
“No! My dad was always so careful!” But the truth was undeniable—the lorry had lost control on the wet road. It took Emily weeks to accept it. Even through painkillers and exhaustion, grief weighed on her.
Time passed, and though she slowly recovered, the doctor delivered another blow—two major surgeries meant she could never have children. It was a second devastation.
She had no close family aside from a frail grandmother in the countryside. Her friend Sophie visited, once bringing along Liam, a boy she’d fancied after a few park walks. But he never returned.
After her discharge, Sophie tried to distract her, bringing along Ethan, whom she secretly fancied. But Ethan only saw friendship—until he met Emily. Reserved and quiet, she intrigued him instantly, and when he learned of her loss, he felt compelled to comfort her.
Soon, the three were inseparable, until Ethan began visiting Emily alone. She occupied his thoughts constantly. Being with him brought Emily back to life, though she worried about hurting Sophie. Finally, she confronted her.
“Sophie, are you cross with me about Ethan? I’m sorry.”
Sophie bit back anger. “Even if I were, would you drop him?” She knew—she’d seen it in his eyes. She couldn’t win him back.
Misreading her sarcasm, Emily smiled. “Don’t be silly—how could I ever let him go? Say you’re not upset.”
Sophie forced a nod, seething inside. If she’d known broken, barren Emily would catch Ethan’s eye, she’d never have introduced them.
Ethan never noticed Emily’s scars. He showered her with compliments, and she bloomed under his love. One day, he arrived with a bouquet of roses and confessed his feelings. Panic set in—serious love meant intimacy, marriage, children. And she could never give him that. Heart heavy, she confided in Sophie.
“I don’t know what to do… Ethan loves me, but I—I never told him I can’t have children. What if he leaves? What family has no kids? I have to tell him.”
“Of course you do,” Sophie agreed, already scheming. She’d tell him first—let him see who he was really with.
She called Ethan immediately. “I’m Emily’s best friend, but there’s something you should know. She can’t have children after the crash. I doubt she’ll admit it.”
Ethan stared at her, then turned away. “Right. Thanks.”
Emily waited for him, resolved to confess.
“Hi, Ethan,” she said solemnly when he arrived. “Come in. There’s something I need to say.”
He pulled her into an embrace. “You don’t have to. I know… and it doesn’t change how I feel.” She never asked how he knew.
His love was all that mattered. They married quietly, but childlessness cast a shadow.
“Emily,” Ethan said one evening, “what if we adopted?”
“God, thank you for giving me a husband like you!” Tears of joy filled her eyes.
They soon welcomed little Katie, doting on their daughter. Nothing was too good for her—the finest shoes, the prettiest ribbons. She lacked for nothing, though Ethan grumbled they spoiled her.
Years passed, but Katie cared little for school, only demanding more—expensive clothes, gadgets. Ethan tried to rein her in, but Emily indulged her.
“She’s playing us,” he warned. “Fourteen and caked in makeup, always on her phone. She’s your doing.”
“You’re too harsh! All girls her age wear makeup. She’ll grow out of it.”
Katie, eavesdropping, grew cunning—books open, phone hidden. When Emily peeked in, all seemed well. But Ethan saw through it.
“Mum, Dad’s always on at me! Tell him you’ve checked my work.”
Demands escalated. “I need spending money,” she declared at fifteen. “If you can’t afford it, get a second job. I need my nails done—I want to look good.”
Then Ethan found their holiday savings gone. He stormed into her room, lifting the mattress to reveal the cash.
“Emily, look at this!”
He didn’t confront Katie, but Emily defended her. “You’ve raised a thief!” he snapped.
“You’re exaggerating!”
Katie listened, manipulating her mother further. “Mum, when you’re out, Dad hits me. He’s done it three times.”
Horrified, Emily confronted Ethan that evening. “I won’t let you lay a hand on her! Pack your things and go—I’m scared of what you might do!”
“Emily, have you lost your mind? I’d never hurt her! Who do you believe—her or me?”
“My child,” she said coldly.
“You’ll regret this,” he warned, gathering his things. “A mother’s love is blind.”
As he left, Katie smirked—now she could twist her mother any way she liked.
Too late, Emily saw the truth. She remembered Ethan’s words, aching to apologise, to beg his forgiveness. Maybe life would grant her one more chance—for happiness.
