Out of sheer desperation, she agreed to marry the wealthy mans son who couldnt walk And a month later, she noticed
“You must be joking,” Emily said, her eyes wide as she stared at Edward Whitmore.
He shook his head.
“No, Im not. But Ill give you time to think. Its not an ordinary proposal, after all. I can imagine what youre thinking. Weigh it carefullyIll return in a week.”
Emily watched him leave, stunned. His words echoed in her mind, refusing to settle.
Shed known Edward Whitmore for three years. He owned a chain of petrol stations and several other businesses. Emily worked part-time as a cleaner at one of them. He was always polite to the staff, treating them with kindness. A decent man, by all accounts.
The wages were fair, so there was never a shortage of applicants. Two months earlier, after finishing her shift, Emily had been sitting outsideher work nearly done, a rare moment to herself.
The service door swung open, and Edward appeared.
“Mind if I join you?”
Emily stood abruptly.
“Of coursewhy even ask?”
“No need to jump up. Sit downI dont bite. Lovely day, isnt it?”
She smiled and sat again.
“Spring always feels like a gift after winter.”
“Thats because weve all had enough of the cold.”
“Maybe youre right.”
“Ive been meaning to askwhy work as a cleaner? Margaret offered to move you to cashier, didnt she? Better pay, less strain.”
“Id love to. But the hours dont suitmy daughters young and falls ill often. When shes well, the neighbour minds her. But when shes poorly, I have to be there. So Margaret and I swap shifts when needed. Shes been a godsend.”
“I see Whats wrong with the little one?”
“Oh, dont ask The doctors arent sure. She has these fitscant breathe, panics. The proper tests are private. They say she might grow out of it. But I cant just wait”
“Hold on. Itll sort itself out.”
Emily thanked him. That evening, she found Edward had authorised a bonusno explanation, just handed over.
She didnt see him again until today, when he turned up at her doorstep. Her heart nearly stopped at the sight of him. And then his proposal made it worse.
Edward had a sonOliver, nearly thirty. Seven of those years hed spent in a wheelchair after an accident. The doctors had tried everything, but he never walked again. Depression took holdwithdrawn, barely speaking, even to his father.
So Edward had an idea: marry him off. Properly. Give him a reason to live again. He wasnt sure it would work, but he had to try. And Emily seemed the perfect choice.
“Emily, youll want for nothing. Your daughter will have every test, every treatment. Im offering a one-year arrangement. After that, youre freeno matter what. If Oliver improveswonderful. If notyoull be well compensated.”
Emily couldnt speakindignation choked her.
Edward, sensing her rage, spoke softly.
“Emily, please, help me. Its mutual. I doubt Oliver will even touch you. Youll be respected, legally wed. Think of it as a marriage of circumstance. And not a word to anyone.”
“Wait Does Oliver agree?”
Edward smiled sadly.
“He says he doesnt care. Ill tell him I need thisfor business, for my health. He trusts me. This is a necessary lie.”
Edward left, and Emily sat numb, fury simmering beneath the shock. But his blunt honesty dulled the edge of her anger.
And if she thought about it What wouldnt she do for little Sophie?
Anything.
And him? He was a father too.
Her shift hadnt even ended when the call came.
“Emily, hurry! Sophies having one of her fitsa bad one!”
“Im coming! Call an ambulance!”
She arrived as the paramedics pulled up.
“Where were you, mum?” the doctor asked sharply.
“At work”
This fit was worse than usual.
“Should we go to hospital?” Emily asked weakly.
The doctor, new to them, sighed.
“Whats the point? They wont help. You need a proper specialistLondon, perhaps.”
Forty minutes later, the medics left.
Emily picked up the phone and dialled Edward.
“I agree. Sophie had another fit.”
The next day, they left.
Edward himself came for themaccompanied by a clean-shaven young man.
“Emily, just bring essentials. Well buy the rest.”
She nodded.
Sophie eyed the carbig, gleaming.
Edward crouched before her.
“Like it?”
“Very much!”
“Want to sit up front? See everything?”
“Can I? Really?”
The girl looked to her mother.
“The police will fine us,” Emily said sternly.
Edward laughed and opened the door.
“In you go, Sophie! If anyone tries to fine uswell bill them instead!”
The closer they got to the house, the tighter Emilys chest grew.
“God, what have I done? What if hes strange, violent?”
Edward noticed her tension.
“Emily, relax. The weddings a week away. You can back out anytime. And Olivers a good man. Sharp. But something broke in him. Youll see.”
Emily stepped out, helping Sophie down, then froze. The house wasnt a houseit was a manor. Sophie squealed.
“Mum, are we living in a fairy tale now?!”
Edward laughed, lifting her into his arms.
“Do you like it?”
“Very much!”
Until the wedding, Emily and Oliver met only at dinner. He barely ate, barely spokejust sat there, distant. Emily studied him. Handsome, but pale, as if sunlight was a stranger. She sensed his pain matched hers. And she was grateful he never mentioned the marriage.
On the wedding day, chaos swarmed around Emily. The dress arrived the night before. When she saw it, she sank into a chair.
“How much did this cost?”
Edward smiled.
“Emily, best not to ask. Look what else Ive got.”
He produced a tiny replica of the gown.
“Sophie, shall we try it?”
Her shriek was deafening. She paraded like a princess, beaming.
Emily turnedand saw Oliver. He stood in his doorway, watching Sophie. A ghost of a smile in his eyes.
Sophie now slept in the room next to theirs. Their bedroom. Not long ago, Emily couldnt have imagined this.
Edward suggested the country estate, but Oliver refused.
“Thanks, Dad. Well stay here.”
The bed was vast. Oliver kept his distance, made no move. And Emily, whod planned to stay alert, fell asleep instantly.
A week passed. Evenings brought conversation. Oliver was sharp, witty, well-read. He never pushed. Slowly, Emily relaxed.
One night, she woke in panic.
“Somethings wrong”
She ran to Sophies roomjust as feared, a fit had seized her.
“Oliver, help! Call an ambulance!”
He was there in seconds, phone in hand. Moments later, Edward rushed in.
“Ill call Dr. Harris myself.”
The ambulance came quicklysmart suits, modern gear. The family doctor arrived, conferring at length. Emily sat with Sophie. Oliver stayed, holding her hand.
“Emily,” he asked softly, “has she always been like this?”
“Yes Weve been to hospitals, done testsnothing helped. Thats why her father left. Said I was ruining his life.”
“Did you love him?”
“Once. Feels like forever ago”
“So you agreed to Dads offer”
Emily blinked.
Oliver smiled.
“Dad thinks I dont know. But Ive always read him like a book. I feared who hed find. Then I saw younothing like the sort whod do this for money. Now it makes sense.”
He looked at her.
“Dont cry. Well fix Sophie. Shes strongunlike me.”
“Why do you say that? Youre clever, kind”
“Be honestwould you have married me if things were different?”
Emily thought, then nodded.
“Yes. Loving you would be easier than loving men who pretend to be heroes. But its not just that. I cant explain.”
Oliver smiled.
“You dont have to. I believe you.”
Days later, Emily found Oliver at a strange taskassembling a complex contraption.
“Its a trainer,” he explained. “After the accident, I was meant to use it daily. But I gave up. Now Im ashamed. In front of Sophie. In front of
