**Fate’s Strange Ways**
Edward wasn’t a young man anymore. He’d lost his wife five years ago after a long, painful illness. They’d fought it together, but in the end, she slipped away, leaving him alone in this world.
At forty-eight, he found himself a widower, struggling to adjust to solitude. Remarrying? The thought never crossed his mind. No matter how much his family and friends insisted—
*”You’re still young, Ed! Find yourself a good woman and be happy again!”*
*”There was no one like my wife,”* he’d reply. *”Sure, there are better out there, and worse—but none like her.”*
His younger brother, James, lived across town. There was a big age gap between them—fifteen years. Their mother had struggled to conceive again, and when she’d nearly given up hope, James came along. Edward had practically helped raise him, and as a boy, James had idolised his big brother.
Their parents passed when James was just twenty-one, and Edward had supported him through university until he married. But fate had a cruel twist—around the time Edward lost his wife, James’s marriage fell apart.
Every evening, Edward took a stroll through the park near his house—a habit he and his wife had shared when they had the time. That night, he wandered slowly along the path toward the duck pond, where geese from the nearby neighbourhood often swam.
On his way back, he spotted a girl on a bench, wiping tears from her face. He couldn’t just walk past.
*”Evening, love. Everything alright? You look like you could use some help.”*
She lifted her eyes, looking at him with such sadness.
*”No one can help me. Thanks, though. I just… don’t know where to go.”*
Edward sat beside her.
*”What do you mean? You must’ve come from somewhere. What’s your name?”*
*”Mum kicked me out. Her flat’s full of… *friends* now. No room for me, and I’m scared of them. My name’s Emily.”*
*”Right, Emily, let’s sort this out. It’s getting dark—you can’t stay here all night.”*
Emily had lived with her parents in a tiny flat they’d inherited from her grandfather. They’d moved from a dying village where work had dried up. Her father passed when she was fifteen, and for a while, it was just her and her mum—until Emily noticed the smell of alcohol when her mother came home from work. Sometimes, she’d even crack open a bottle at dinner.
*”Mum, why do you drink? It won’t end well,”* Emily would beg.
*”What do you know about life, love? Your dad left me alone—what else am I supposed to do? Have a sip, it’ll cheer you up. You just don’t understand yet.”*
Then her mum would pass out on the sofa.
Emily made her own breakfast and trudged off to nursing college—she’d started after GCSEs, eager to grow up fast and work. She couldn’t rely on her mum, who kept getting sacked from even the simplest jobs.
*”Mum, you’ve hit rock bottom. They won’t even take you as a cleaner. How are we supposed to live?”*
*”That’s what *you’re* for. You’ll get a job soon enough,”* her mum would slur.
It got worse. Strangers filled the flat, drinking all night, crashing on the floor while Emily hid behind a wardrobe, too scared to sleep.
After qualifying, she got a job at a hospital. Night shifts were a blessing—at least she didn’t have to see the chaos at home. She’d started saving to move out.
But that evening, exhausted after a brutal shift, she came home to find her mum passed out on the bare floor. The flat was empty—furniture, curtains, even Emily’s clothes, all gone. Only her old winter coat remained.
She ran out in tears, wandering until she ended up in the park, on that bench.
Edward listened, heart aching. He softened his voice.
*”Emily, love… life throws awful things at us. But there’s always hope. When my wife died, I thought my world had ended. She was *everything* to me.”* He paused. *”But I realised—if fate wills it, you keep living. And so will you. There’s always a way.”*
*”What way?”* She looked up. *”I’ll never afford my own place. Where do I go?”*
*”Listen. I live alone—big house, too much space. You could stay with me. Don’t be scared; I’d never hurt you. Think of me as family. My wife and I… we couldn’t have kids. You’d be like a daughter to me.”*
Edward was a good man. Emily thanked her lucky stars she’d met him that night. He became her family—her second father. She took over the housework, keeping the place spotless and cooking meals. Evenings were spent talking; Edward knew so much, and she hung on every word. His kindness thawed both their hearts—a lonely older man and a lost young woman.
But fate twisted again. Slowly, Edward found himself watching Emily differently—no longer as a father would. The embers in his chest, long cold, flickered back to life.
*”The more I think of her, the fiercer it burns. I have to tell her. Whatever happens next…”*
That night at dinner, he gathered his courage.
*”Emily, I don’t know what you’ll think… but I’ve fallen in love with you. You’ve brought me back to life. Will you marry me?”*
Emily had wondered if her own feelings were just gratitude—but she believed she loved him too. She said yes.
A year later, their son Daniel was born. Edward beamed with pride. Emily glowed.
*”Now I’m truly happy. Edward and my little Danny—this is my fate.”*
One day, Edward told her:
*”My brother James is visiting tomorrow. Remember, the one I helped raise? Big age gap. I told him about you and Danny. He’s eager to meet you—you’ll get on brilliantly.”*
Edward was right. James *did* like Emily. The moment he saw her, it was like a thousand pins pricking his skin. His heart stuttered then raced. He couldn’t stop staring.
James had kept in touch with Edward, knew how crushed he’d been after losing his wife. Then suddenly—joy. Edward was in love again. Meanwhile, James’s own life was a mess post-divorce. He hadn’t settled down, though women liked him well enough.
Armed with gifts for his nephew, James arrived.
*”I’ve *got* to meet the woman who brought my brother back to life.”*
Stepping inside, he hugged Edward.
*”Look at you, brother! Fatherhood suits you. Where’s this famous wife of yours and little Danny?”*
Edward led him to the nursery, where Emily was dressing the baby.
*”Here they are. Emily, this is James.”*
James froze, gifts in hand. He couldn’t look away from Emily holding the baby. One thought seared his mind:
*”God, she’s beautiful…”*
*”James? Earth to James!”* Edward nudged him. *”Time you settled down too. Emily, this is my baby brother. Get acquainted—I’ll go check the roast.”*
*”Hello,”* James managed, handing over the presents.
*”Hello. I’m glad you’re here,”* Emily replied, fighting to keep her voice steady.
They just stared, wordless.
Over the next few days, James played with Danny, who shrieked with delight. Edward was overjoyed.
*”Look at him, Emily! He *knows* James is family.”*
But whenever Edward left the room, Emily’s heart thundered. She *ached* to be near James—and dreaded it.
James confessed first.
*”This can’t happen. I won’t betray my husband,”* Emily said, steeling herself.
*”I know,”* James admitted. *”But you’re all I want. And I *can’t* hurt Edward. He’s everything to us.”*
He left abruptly, puzzling Edward.
Time passed. Then one day, a call—Edward had been rushed to hospital. Emily raced there, tears blurring her vision. The doctor avoided her eyes.
*”I’m sorry… his heart gave out.”*
James came at once. Helped with the funeral, comforted Emily, offered to stay. But she sent him away.
Then one night, she dreamed of Edward—sliding off his wedding ring, handing it to James as if blessing them.
She called James. He came running.
They visited the grave under a bright sun. Edward’s photo seemed to smile at them.
*”Look, Emily… he doesn’t mind.”*
A year later, their daughter Alice arrived
