Back in Year Seven, she warned her friends that this boy would one day be her husband.
Emily, even in Year Seven, told her classmates that Oliver was her boyfriend, and when the time came, they would surely marry. None of her friends dared argue with her.
Now, her friends hardly glanced at Oliver, because Emilys grandmother was rumoured to be a witch. She lived in her village, tending to her dark affairs, while Emily dabbled in the craft herself, learning bits and pieces in the city, occasionally visiting her grandmother.
And Oliver? Oliver barely noticed Emily. He spent all his free time in the yard with Grace. Grace had been disabled since childhood and used a wheelchair.
I dont know why, but something about Grace captured Olivers heart. Maybe it was her quiet kindness, but somehow, she enchanted him. Besides, Grace was sharp-minded, and Oliver found her fascinating. For years, they spent every spare moment together.
One day, Oliver left his house and headed for the yard where Grace sat. Emily blocked his path.
“Hello, Oliver.”
“Hello,” he replied, trying to step around her.
“Fancy a walk into town?” Emily asked.
“No chance today,” Oliver said. “Sorry.”
Emily pressed her lips tight, watching as Oliver reached Grace, greeted her, and they began chatting and laughing. A dark wave of fury and jealousy flooded her heart. She wept when no one was looking.
A year passed. Now, Oliver often took Grace to the river, the woods, or the meadow where daisies grew. They spent every free moment together.
Emily had transformed into a raven-haired beauty. Boys couldnt take their eyes off hershe was stunning, slender. Yet Olivers heart still held only Grace. Their love was no longer childish; it was real.
Then one day, as Oliver walked to Graces, Emily stopped him again.
“Hello, Oliver. Off to see your cripple again? What do you even see in her? Take me instead. Youll only be happy with meyou know Ive loved you since school.”
“I know,” Oliver said. “But I love Grace.”
“Whats so special about her, that useless cripple?”
“I dont know. But that shes better than youthats certain.”
“Oliver, you know it wouldnt take much for you to love me. My grandmother is the most powerful. But I dont want that. I want you to love me freely. Tell mewhat must I do?”
Oliver stopped and looked at her.
“Make Grace walk. Then Ill marry you,” he snapped.
From that day, Emily spent all her time with Grace. She arrived at dawn and left late at night. Oliver barely saw Grace anymore. And Grace didnt resist. She drank tonics, rubbed ointments on her legs, endured gruelling exercises.
Watching Emilys efforts, Oliver began to realise how deeply she loved him to go so far.
Four months passed.
One evening, Oliver went to the yard where Emily tended to Grace. He noticed nearly the whole neighbourhood had gathered on their balconies, watching closely
Emily, holding Graces hands, led her step by step away from the wheelchair. Today, both girls were the happiest in the world. Exhausted but radiant, they sat on the bench. Oliver approached, stunned.
“Oliver, may I have a word?” Emily said, stepping aside.
He followed.
“Is it time?” Oliver asked softly.
“Time for what?”
“To marry,” he murmured.
Emily laughed. “No, Oliver. I wanted to apologise for my stubbornness. Magic is powerless against love. In truth, magic changes nothing unless a person wills it.”
Now, Grace and Emily are the closest of friends. Grace and Oliver have a daughter. Emily has a sona boy she cant stand, one she never shows to anyone. She says hes a pilot
