Sales manager Edward was unmarried, so when he saw the young and beautiful Emily on her first day in his department, he fell for her instantly.
“Good morning, colleague,” he said with a warmth that made her pause, his smile lingering in her gaze.
“Good morning,” she replied softly, returning the smile.
“Right then, get settled in. Katherine will show you the ropes—she’s our senior here,” he said, nodding toward her. “Review your duties, and best of luck. I hope we’ll work well together.”
The team—mostly women—watched him with curiosity. As soon as he left, Katherine leaned toward her desk mate, Rebecca, whispering,
“Since when does Edward take such an interest in new hires?” Both stifled a laugh.
Emily observed quietly at first, taking in the dynamics. New to the team, she wasn’t shy—never had been—but she played the role of the observer. Young but sharp, only twenty-two, she’d already broken up two marriages by seventeen. Even in college, she’d entangled herself with a much older professor before he cut things off when rumours reached his wife.
Weeks passed. One evening, Edward asked her to join him for coffee after work.
“Why not?” She smiled. “You’re my boss—good relations are essential, don’t you think?”
Her smile seemed so sweet, so guileless, he almost thought she was joking. But she’d agreed, and he was thrilled. At thirty, Edward had never married—close, but never quite there. This time, things moved fast. He fell hard. They dated, and soon, the whole office gasped when he announced their wedding invitation.
**Edward’s Married Life**
He indulged Emily’s every whim—even agreed to her terms.
“No children. Not yet. I want to live for myself. When I’m ready, I’ll tell you. Until then—no nappies, no baby clothes.”
Edward assumed she’d change her mind. Time passed, but Emily refused. Every mention of children was met with sharp dismissal.
“Ed, I warned you from the start. Don’t nag me about this. I’m not ready.”
Then, one day, he saw her emerge from the bathroom, distressed, clutching a pregnancy test.
“Emily—are you…?” She nodded.
Overjoyed, he lifted her into his arms—but she burst into tears.
“I don’t want this! I don’t want to be some fat cow! You have to fix it!” But he held her tight, kissing her tear-stained cheeks.
“Don’t be angry, darling. This is happiness. I love you. We’re having a baby!”
Emily was resolute. She booked an appointment. But Edward rushed to the clinic just in time, intercepting her before she went in. He dragged her outside, furious.
“Please, Emily. Don’t do this. Let our child live. I’ll help with everything, I swear.”
She agreed—on one condition: no nappies, no night feeds. He doted on her throughout the pregnancy, fulfilling every demand. When the time came, he drove her to hospital. Only when their healthy daughter, Lily, was born did he finally exhale.
Exhausted but elated, he went home to rest. The next day, he returned—only to be told:
“Your wife isn’t here. She left. The baby’s still with us.”
“What? That’s impossible!” Edward refused to believe it. “She must have stepped out—look again!”
“No. She’s gone. Here—a note.” The nurse handed him a folded slip of paper.
Emily vanished—no calls, no trace. Only a month and a half later did she ring.
“Pack my things. My boyfriend, Oliver, will collect them. File for divorce yourself—I won’t show up.”
No mention of Lily. No need for Edward, either. So he became both mother and father to his little girl—thankfully, his own mum lived nearby to help.
**Sophie**
The phone rang. Sophie answered to hear Marina, her son Danny’s teacher.
“Come to the school immediately. Your son has caused quite a scene.” No explanation—just a click.
Sophie grabbed her bag, left work, and rushed over.
“What could Danny have done? He’s such a calm boy—never any trouble.”
Danny had defied all odds. Before marrying, her husband, George, had been upfront—he was infertile, even had the certificate to prove it. This was his third marriage.
“Well, doctors can be wrong,” Sophie had thought. She loved him. If children weren’t possible, adoption was an option—though she hadn’t mentioned it yet.
George’s first marriage lasted six months—he left, accusing his wife of infidelity (true). His second wife walked out after demanding tests—she’d wanted children. So Sophie knew the truth.
Yet, against all odds, she fell pregnant. Overjoyed, she raced to George with the scan: eight weeks.
“George, look! We’re having a baby! I told you doctors make mistakes!”
His reaction stunned her. A sharp slap.
“Happy? Happy you cheated? Carrying another man’s child while married?” He swung again—she shielded her face, sobbing.
Later, he calmed. “Fine. A family needs a child—even if it’s not mine.”
Sophie stopped arguing. Danny was born—spitting image of George, though he refused to see it. At first, he was quiet, even helped. Then the rage returned.
“You whore. Bet you’ve told the real father, haven’t you? Using my name so I pay for his kid!”
Sophie begged, pleaded. Danny grew up hearing it, crying at his father’s shouts.
“Go to your real dad—let him feed you!”
She got a DNA test. Proof. Still, George screamed:
“Think I’ll believe it? You paid them off!”
Sophie took Danny and left, moving in with her mother. But George found them. She rented a flat across town—he tracked her down. Finally, she fled to another city.
Only then did she breathe. Danny grew into a sweet, well-behaved boy. Until that call.
At school, she found Danny outside the head’s office, a scratch on his cheek, beside a man and a girl—Lily, the class star.
“Hello,” Sophie managed as the teacher arrived.
“Finally. Danny pushed Lily. She fell and hurt herself.”
**Reconciliation**
“Mum, it wasn’t me! She started it! She called me a bastard, scratched me—so I—” He stopped, meeting her gaze.
“Dad, I didn’t—” Lily raised her hand, then dropped it.
“Lily, enough,” her father said.
“Danny, apologise.”
“Lily, you too.”
The kids glared, ready to fight.
“Parents, perhaps you can resolve this?” the teacher suggested.
“We will,” Sophie and Edward said in unison—then laughed.
“Edward. Lily’s father.”
“Sophie. Danny’s mum.”
“Lily, I’m sorry,” Danny muttered.
“Me too,” Lily said, touching his arm.
“There we go,” the parents chimed, laughing again. The kids smiled.
“This deserves celebration,” Edward said. “How about pizza?”
“Mum, yes!”
Lily looked serious. “We really made up. Right, Danny?”
“We believe you,” Sophie said, glancing at Edward.
The kids chattered happily, stuffing their faces. Danny even said, “If anyone bothers you, tell me.”
The parents ignored it—their kids were friends now. And they? They liked each other, too.
More outings followed—cinema, park, dinners. The kids noticed, thrilled.
Time passed. Edward and Sophie often joked about that first meeting—how lucky their children’s fight had been.
Sometimes, misfortune brings happiness. Sophie was expecting a boy now. Danny and Lily had already picked a name: little Stevie.
