See for Yourself
After a terrible tragedylosing her husband and her six-year-old daughter in a car accidentEmily just couldnt get over it. She spent nearly half a year in a private clinic, completely shutting everyone out except her mum, who sat by her side, gently chatting and waiting for her to come round. Then, one day, her mum finally told her,
Em, your husbands business is barely keeping its head above water, and Jacks barely managing. He actually called me to ask if I could pass that on to you. Thank goodness for Jackhes a good bloke, but…
Those words seemed to wake Emily out of her stupor a bit.
Yes, Mum, I ought to do something, really. I think Tom would be happy if I kept the business going. At least I know a little about ithe always brought me in to the office, it was as if he knew I’d need to.
Emily got stuck back in to work and managed to keep the family business from collapsing. The company was safe, but Emily missed her little girl terribly.
Love, I want to suggest something, her mum said gently one evening. Why dont you consider adopting a girl from a childrens home, one whos maybe even worse off than you? You could change her life. I think, in doing that, you might find some peace, too.
Emily thought long and hard about her mums words and realised she was right. She must have known deep down that nothing and no one could ever replace her little girl, but at least she could help someone else. So, before long, she found herself visiting the childrens home.
Isabel was born almost blind. Her parents, both university-educated from respectable families, wanted nothing to do with her once they heard the diagnosis. Bravery and kindness arent guaranteed by a good upbringing, clearly. So, baby Isabel found herself growing up in the home, named by the nurses there. She barely saw the world, could only make out shapes and shadows, but she learned to read and loved fairy tales, dreaming that one day her own fairy godmother would find her.
When Isabel was nearly seven, that fairytale moment came. Into the home walked a beautiful, confident woman, wealthy but carrying deep sadness. Isabel couldnt see her clearly, but she sensed kindness. The homes director seemed surprised by Emilys requestwhy did she want a child with health needs? Emily didnt go into all the details, just said that she had the means and the wish to help a child who needed it most.
The carer led Isabel in by the hand. The moment Emily saw the golden curls and big, blue but sightless eyes, she just knewthis little one was meant to be her daughter. There was an angelic air about her.
And whos this? Emily asked, hardly able to take her eyes off the girl.
This is our Isabellovely, gentle, and a real darling, the carer replied.
Shes mine, for certain, Emily decided, and that was that.
Emily and Isabel soon became each others world. Bringing Isabel home gave Emilys life a new purpose. Emily turned to the best doctors, who told her there was hope: an operation might restore some of Isabel’s sight, and shed just need to wear glasses.
The very idea spurred Emily on. Before Isabel started school, they went ahead with an operation, but the results werent greather sight was still very poor. There was a chance for another go, but it had to wait until Isabel was older. Time ticked by. Emily doted on her daughter, spending as much time as possible with her. The family business was thriving again, and Emily, beautiful and successful, kept her focus firmly on Isabel, ignoring any romantic interest from men.
By the time Isabel grew up, she was absolutely stunninga true English beauty. She finished university, never once behaved spoilt, and was sincerely grateful to her mum. She started working in Emilys company. Emily, for her part, was quite protective, nervous that some chancer might try to take advantage of Isabels innocence and wealthy future. Emily never hesitated to warn off gold-diggers.
Then, at last, Isabel fell in love. Emily met the young manJamesand, not spotting anything dodgy, gave her blessing to their relationship. Before long, James proposed. Wedding preparations began, and a final operation to restore Isabels sight was scheduled for six months after the big day.
James was affectionate and attentivealmost too perfect at times, Emily sometimes noticed, but shoved it aside. One afternoon, James and Isabel visited the country house where the wedding reception would be held, hoping to sort out the decorations with the staff. It was quiet there during the day.
They sat at a table, and James put his phone down in front of them. Then, hearing his car alarm go off, he popped outside to check it. Isabel was left sitting alone. Jamess phone started ringing and wouldnt stop. Reluctantly, Isabel answered, but before she could say a word, she heard the sharp, commanding voice of his mumMrs. Margaret Smith.
James, Ive figured out a quick way to get rid of the blind little Isabel. My friend has two tickets for a mountain holiday, and Ive asked her to hold them for you. After the wedding, take your bird up theresay youre desperate to see the hills. Go for a walk together, and make sure your wife takes an unfortunate tumble. Then simply disappear. Call the police and report her missing, maybe say you had a row and she walked off on her own. Cry, play distraughtdemand they look for her. By the time shes found, itll look like an accident. Whos going to dig deeply in the Alps? Trust me, son, you can act the heartbroken widower. That way, her mother wont suspect a thing. Theyre planning that last operation, but if they do it and she gets her sight back, things will get messytoo risky with all the family money at stake, son. Dont miss your chance, think about it. Im hanging up now.
Isabel dropped the phone, recoiling in shockit was like the mobile had burnt her hands.
So they want me deadand James is in on it too. Her mind was everywhere, heart hammering.
Just a minute before, shed been blissfully looking forward to her wedding, checking the final details. Now she sat, frozen in horror, feeling as if the ground had fallen from beneath her feetthe two people she and Emily had welcomed into their family had planned her murder. James hadnt even heard the phone callhed been outside. Isabel shook uncontrollably, trying to compose herself just as James returned.
Odd, not sure why the car alarm went off. Maybe a cat, but theres no mark on the car. Oh, hold on His phone started to ring again; he snatched it up and barked, Yeah, Rom, alright, Ill be there, then to Isabel, That was Rom, bad timingthey need me in the office urgently.
Go ahead, Isabel managed quietly. Mums on her way anywaywell go through the plans together.
Right, Ill dash then. See you both later.
Isabel watched him leave, tears streaming down her face. She rang Emily.
Mum, please come to the restaurantright away. She tried to sound calm but failed miserably, her voice cracking.
Whats happened, love? You sound all over the place. Im leaving now. Hold tight.
Isabel sat alone, completely distraught. The venue manager, Kate, who she knew well, popped over.
Isabel, whats happened? Wheres James gone? Werent you two just
Its fine, Kate. My mums on her way. Just a misunderstanding, Ill stay here. James was called away to work.
Ill make you some teayou look like you need it, Kate said with a sympathetic smile. Isabel nodded, barely registering.
Emily arrived around twenty minutes later, quickly finding Isabel and sitting herself down.
Ive been worried sick. Tell me whats happened.
Mum, they want to kill me! she sobbed. James and Mrs. Smith. I heard it myself. She rang while he went outsidehe left his phone on the table, and I picked up. She told him to take me to the mountains after the wedding and make it look like an accidentand to hurry up, so we wouldnt have time for my last surgery.
Darling, stopare you sure? Are you alright?
I swear, Mum, I heard it with my own ears. She didnt even realise she was speaking to me, not James. I hung up as quickly as I could. Now shes got no idea I know. James got called to workhes gone.
Emily was in absolute shock. Had they really been so wrong about James? They sat together, quietly working through what to do when James rang Isabels phone.
So, Belle, has your mum arrived? Did you sort out the venue details?
Emily took the call herself.
Hello, James, its Emily. Just as well we found out about your and your mothers little plans in time. Listen carefully, James… about the alpine holiday, the plans
What plans, what holiday? James sounded genuinely confused or was a very good actor.
Oh, you knowthe trip to the mountains, where Isabel was to have her fatal accident.
It dawned on James what must have happenedhis mum had spoken to the wrong person, and Isabel had heard everything. Shed even texted him afterwards, but the damage was done.
Why? Why would I? Why would we? he stammered, putting on a performance, but Emily could hear the fright creeping in.
Because all you care about is the inheritance, becoming a wealthy widower. Well, it wont work. You must know that if that conversation gets to the police, they can recover every traceeven deleted messages. You know what I mean.
James was silent for a long moment.
I get it. But it wasnt me, it was Mum
Oh, so now youre blaming her? Pathetic, James. Goodbye.
The next day, James vanished from town, blaming his mother for messing up and fled with her money. His mother bolted to stay with a friend in Manchester, both terrified Emily and Isabel would go to the police.
Seeing with Her Own Eyes
A few weeks later, it was time for Isabels surgery at the Moorfields Eye Hospital. Emily was with her throughout the recovery, not leaving her side while the bandages stayed on. Theyd take short walks outside, sitting on benches in the hospital gardens. The young doctor, Dr. Tom Hughes, was attentive and gentle, and the operation itself was carried out by a top specialist. Dr. Hughes was always cheerfully on hand for Isabel, and Emily, whose guard was still up, couldnt help but notice how nervous, even bashful he was around her daughter.
When the day finally arrived to take the bandages off, Dr. Hughes presented Isabel with a huge bouquet of roses. Tears spilled down Isabels cheeks as she took in everythingan actual bright, colourful world, the vibrant roses, and the tall, kind, fair-haired doctor with the most remarkable grey eyes.
I can see! I can really see! Isabel sobbed, and Tom dashed to comfort her.
She could seeshe just had to get used to wearing glasses now, which was nothing, really, after everything shed been through.
Time passed, and the wedding of Tom and Isabel was a glorious celebration. The following year, they welcomed a beautiful baby girl, with grey eyes just like her dads. Isabel was truly happy. She had a caring, dependable husband who adored her, and Emily finally found peace, knowing her daughter was safe and loved.
Thanks for listening, mate. Heres to finding happiness, against all odds!
