Out of sheer desperation, she agreed to marry the wealthy mans son who couldnt walk And a month later, she realised
Youve got to be kidding, Emily said, staring at Edward Whitmore with wide eyes.
He shook his head.
No, Im not. But Ill give you time to think. Its not exactly a normal proposal, after all. I can guess whats going through your mind. Take a weekweigh it up properly, and Ill come back then.
Em watched him leave, completely stunned. His words just wouldnt sink in.
Shed known Edward for three years. He owned a chain of petrol stations and a few other businesses. Em worked part-time as a cleaner at one of them. He was always kind to the staff, treating them with respect. A decent bloke, really.
The job paid well enough that there was never a shortage of applicants. A couple of months ago, after finishing her shift, Em was sitting outsideher work was almost done, and she had a bit of time to spare.
Then the service door opened, and Edward stepped out.
Mind if I join you?
Em jumped up.
Of courseno need to ask!
No need to stand on ceremonysit down, I dont bite. Lovely day, isnt it?
She smiled and sat back.
Spring always feels like a gift after winter.
Exactlyeveryones had enough of the cold.
Suppose youre right.
Ive been meaning to askwhy stick with cleaning? Margaret offered you a cashier role, didnt she? Better pay, easier work.
Id love to, but the hours dont suit. My little girl gets poorly sometimes. When shes fine, the neighbour watches her, but if she has a bad day, Ive got to be there. Margaret and I swap shifts when neededshes been brilliant.
I see Whats wrong with your daughter?
Oh, dont ask The doctors arent sure. She has these episodescant breathe, panics, all sorts. The proper tests are private, and they reckon we should just wait, see if she grows out of it. But I cant just sit and hope
Hang in there. Itll sort itself out.
Em thanked him. That evening, she found out Edward had given her an unexpected bonusno explanation, just handed it over.
She didnt see him again after that. Until today, when he turned up at her doorstep.
Her heart nearly stopped when she spotted him. And 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 did all they could, but he never walked again. Depression, shutting himself away, barely speakingeven to his father.
So Edward had an idea: marry his son off. Properly. To give him a reason to live, to fight. He wasnt sure itd work, but he had to try. And Em seemed perfect for it.
Emily, youll want for nothing. Your daughter will get every test, every treatment she needs. Its a one-year arrangement. After that, youre freeno matter what. If Oliver improvesbrilliant. If notIll make sure youre looked after.
Em was speechlessoutrage bubbling inside her.
As if reading her mind, Edward said softly,
Emily, please, help me. It helps you too. Im not even sure my son will lay a finger on you. And life will be easieryoull be respected, properly married. Think of it as a marriage of convenience. Just one thingdont breathe a word of this to anyone.
Wait, Edward Does Oliver even agree?
The man smiled sadly.
He says he doesnt care. Ill tell him its for the business, for my health The important thing is that hes married. Properly. Hes always trusted me. So its a white lie for his own good.
Edward left, and Em sat there, numb. Anger simmered inside her. But his honesty took some of the sting out of it.
And if she was honest What wouldnt she do for little Sophie?
Anything.
And him? He was a father too. He loved his son just as much.
Before her shift even ended, the phone rang:
Em, quick! Sophies having one of her episodesa bad one!
Im on my way! Call an ambulance!
She got there just as the paramedics pulled up.
Where were you, Mum? the doctor asked sharply.
At work
This episode was worse than ever.
Should we take her to hospital? Em asked weakly.
The doctor, new to Sophies case, just sighed.
Whats the point? They wont do anything there. Just scare the poor thing. You need proper specialistsLondon, maybe.
Forty minutes later, the ambulance left.
Em picked up the phone and called Edward.
Im in. Sophie just had another episode.
The next day, they left.
Edward himself came for themwith a young, clean-shaven man in tow.
Emily, just take the essentials. Well get everything else.
She nodded.
Sophie eyed the car with wide eyesbig and shiny.
Edward crouched in front of her.
Like it?
So much!
Want to sit up front? See everything properly?
Can I? Really?
The girl glanced at her mum.
The policell fine us if they see, Em said firmly.
Edward laughed and swung the door open.
Hop in, Sophie! And if anyone tries to fine uswell fine them right back!
The closer they got to the house, the more Ems nerves kicked in.
God, why did I say yes? What if hes strange, or angry?
Edward noticed her unease.
Emily, relax. The weddings not for a week. You can back out anytime. And Olivers a good lad, clever, but something broke in him. Youll see.
Em stepped out, helped Sophie down, then froze, staring at the house. It wasnt just a houseit was a proper mansion. Sophie squealed with delight:
Mum, are we living in a fairy tale now?!
Edward laughed and scooped her up.
You like it?
Love it!
In the days before the wedding, Em and Oliver only met a handful of timesat dinner. He barely ate, barely spoke. Just sat there, miles away. Em studied him carefully. Handsome, but pale, like he hadnt seen sunlight in years. She could tell he carried pain, just like her. And she was grateful he never mentioned the wedding.
On the big day, it felt like half the county was fussing over Em. The dress arrived the night before. When she saw it, she nearly collapsed.
How much did this cost?
Edward smiled.
Emily, best not to ask. LookIve got something else.
He pulled out a tiny version of the wedding dress.
Sophie, fancy trying it on?
Her squeal was ear-splitting. She pranced around like a little queen, glowing.
At one point, Em turned and saw Oliver. He was in the doorway, watching Sophie. For the first time, there was something like a smile in his eyes.
Sophie now had the room next to theirs. Their bedroom. Just weeks ago, Em could never have imagined ending up here.
Edward suggested a honeymoon at the country house, but Oliver shook his head.
Thanks, Dad. Well stay here.
The bed was enormous. Oliver kept his distance, made no moves. And Em, whod planned to stay alert all night, fell asleep almost instantly.
A week passed. They started talking in the evenings. Oliver turned out to be sharp, funny, loved books and science. He never tried to push things. Slowly, Em relaxed.
One night, she woke with a jolther heart racing.
Somethings wrong
She ran to Sophies room. Just as shed fearedher daughter was mid-episode.
Oliver, help! Call an ambulance!
He was at the door in seconds, phone in hand. A minute later, a bleary-eyed Edward rushed in.
Ill ring Henry myself.
The ambulance arrived fast. The doctors looked poshmodern kit, smart suits. Then the family GP turned up. They talked for ages after the episode passed. Em sat with Sophie. Oliver stayed close, holding her hand.
Emily, he asked quietly, has she always been like this?
Yes Weve been to hospitals, done every testnothing helped. Thats why my ex told me not to ruin his life.
Did you love him?
Maybe. Feels like forever ago
So you agreed to Dads plan
Em raised an eyebrow
