20May2025
I can still feel the weight of the moment when my husband turned up to collect me and our three newborns from the ward. He stared at the tiny bundle of pink and, without a word, told me I should leave the babies at the hospital.
After years of hoping, my dream finally came true: three beautiful triplet girls. The very next day, James walked out, claiming the children were cursed.
I gazed down at the three little ones and my heart swelled. Poppy, Daisy and Ivy were perfect, each a miracle I had prayed for for so long. Now they lay asleep in their cribs, their faces so serene that a tear slipped down my cheek. The love I felt for them was already fierce and overwhelming.
Then I looked up. James had just returned from a quick errand, but something was terribly wrong. His face was ashen, his eyes never met mine, and he lingered by the doorway as if he werent sure he even wanted to be in the same room.
James? I whispered, patting the chair beside the bed. Sit down with me. Look at them theyre here. We did it.
Yeah theyre lovely, he muttered, barely glancing at the babies. He edged a little closer but still refused to look me in the eye.
James, I said, my voice trembling, whats happening? Youre scaring me.
He drew a deep breath and blurted out, Emily, I dont think I dont think we can keep them.
The floor seemed to drop out from beneath me. What? I choked. James, what are you talking about? Theyre our daughters!
He winced, looking away as if my face might break him. My mum she went to see a fortuneteller, he whispered.
I blinked, unsure Id heard him right. A fortuneteller? James, you cant be serious.
She said she said these babies our girls He paused, his voice shaking. She claimed theyd bring nothing but bad luck, that theyd ruin my life and be the cause of my death.
I stared at him, trying to make sense of his words. James, thats madness. Theyre just babies!
He lowered his head, fear plain on his face. Mum swears by this woman. Shes been right before, and now shes convinced she knows the truth.
Anger flared, hot and sharp. So because of some ridiculous prediction you want to abandon them? Just leave them here?
He stared at me, guilt and terror mixing. If you want to bring them home fine, he whispered. But I wont be there. Im sorry, Emily.
Shock washed over me. Youre really serious? Youll walk away from your own daughters because of a story your mother heard?
He said nothing, shoulders slumped, eyes downcast.
I forced a shaky breath, trying to stay steady. If you walk out that door, James, you dont come back. I wont let you do this to our girls.
He looked at me one last time, torn, then turned and walked to the door. I Im sorry, Em, he said quietly before disappearing down the corridor, his footsteps echoing.
I sat alone, staring at the empty doorway, heart pounding, mind reeling. A nurse returned, saw the distress on my face, and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder as I gathered my things.
I leaned over the cribs, tears blurring my vision. Dont worry, girls, I whispered, smoothing each tiny head. Im here. Ill always be here.
Holding them close, a mixture of fear and fierce determination rose inside me. I had no idea how I would manage alone, but one thing was certain: I would never leave my daughters. Not now, not ever.
Weeks have slipped by since James left, and each day without him has been harder than I imagined. Caring for three newborns on my own is overwhelming. Some days I feel Im barely hanging on, but I push through for Poppy, Daisy and Ivy. They are my whole world now, and despite Jamess betrayal, I must focus on them.
One afternoon my sisterinlaw Beth dropped by to help. Shes the only member of Jamess family still willing to keep in touch, and I hoped she might eventually persuade him to return. That day, however, she seemed troubled.
Beth bit her lip, eyes filled with pain. Emily, Ive heard something Im not sure I should tell you, but I cant keep it to myself.
My pulse quickened. Just tell me.
She sighed, took a breath. I overheard Mum talking to Aunt Carol. She she admitted there was no fortuneteller at all.
I froze. What do you mean, no fortuneteller?
Beths gaze softened with sympathy. Mum made it up. She was worried that having triplets would mean James spent less time with her. She thought if she convinced him the girls were a curse, hed stay close to her.
The room seemed to spin. Rage surged so fiercely I had to set Ivy down before my shaking hands gave me away.
That woman, I whispered, voice thick with fury, tore my family apart for her own selfish reasons.
Beth placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. Im so sorry, Emily. I dont think she realised hed walk out on you, but you deserve to know the truth.
I lay awake that night, torn between confronting my motherinlaw and reaching out to James to tell him the truth, hoping he might come back.
The next morning I dialled his number, hands trembling as each ring stretched longer. When he finally answered, I steadied my voice.
James, its me. We need to talk.
He sighed. Emily, Im not sure thats a good idea.
Just listen, I insisted, fighting the tremor in my voice. There was no fortuneteller, James. Your mother invented it.
Silence stretched. Then he replied, calm but dismissive. Emily, I dont believe that. Mum wouldnt make up something so serious.
She did, James, I said, anger breaking through. She told Carol herself. She lied because she was afraid of losing you.
He scoffed, the sound sharp. Look, Em, that fortuneteller has been right before. You dont know her like I do. My mum wouldnt lie about this.
My heart sank, but I pressed on. James, think about it. Why would I lie? These are your children. How can you abandon them over a tale?
He gave no answer, only a sigh. Im sorry, Emily. I cant do this.
The line went dead. I stared at the phone, realizing his choice was made. He was gone.
In the weeks that followed I did my best to adjust to life as a single mum. Every day was a battle of feedings, nappies and grief for the future I had imagined with James. Slowly, friends and family stepped in, bringing meals, looking after the babies so I could rest. Through it all my love for Poppy, Daisy and Ivy only grew. Each smile, each tiny coo, each little hand gripping my finger filled me with a joy that almost erased the pain of his absence.
Several weeks later there was a knock at the front door. I opened it to find Jamess mother, pale and eyes brimming with regret.
Emily, she began, voice shaking. I I never meant any of this to happen.
I crossed my arms, fighting to keep my composure. You lied to him. You convinced him his own children were a curse.
Tears welled as she nodded. I was frightened, Emily. I thought I thought hed forget about me if he had you and the girls. I never imagined hed actually leave.
My anger softened just a fraction. Your fear ripped my family apart.
She lowered her head, cheeks crumpling. I know. Im so, so sorry.
I watched her for a moment, then turned back to the next room where my daughters slept. I have nothing more to say to you.
She left, and I closed the door, feeling a strange mix of relief and lingering sorrow.
A year later James appeared on my doorstep, looking like a ghost of the man I once loved. He pleaded, saying he finally understood his mistake and wanted to come back, to be a family again.
But I knew better now. I met his gaze and shook my head. I already have a family, James. You werent there when we needed you. I dont need you now.
As I shut the door, a weight lifted. It wasnt my daughters who ruined his life he did that himself.
