To See With Her Own Eyes After a devastating tragedy in which she lost her husband and six-year-old daughter in a car accident, Catherine struggled for months to recover. She spent almost half a year in a clinic, refusing visitors, with only her mother patiently at her side. One day, her mother gently said: “Kitty, your husband’s business is on the verge of collapse. It’s only barely holding on, and Edward is struggling. He called me, asked me to let you know. It’s good he’s an honest man, but still…” Those words seemed to bring Catherine out of her shell. “Yes, Mum, I need to get back to life. I think my Denis would be glad to know I’m continuing what he started. At least I understand something about the business—he must have sensed this, he was teaching me at his office.” Catherine returned to work and managed to save the shaky family business. Yet no matter how successful she was with work, she missed her little girl unbearably. “Darling, I want to suggest you consider adopting a girl from the children’s home—someone who’s having an even harder time than you. You’ll be saving her life, and I promise you’ll see that in helping her, you’ll be saving yourself, too.” After thinking long and hard about her mother’s words, Catherine realised she was right. Soon, she found herself visiting the local children’s home, fully aware that nothing could ever replace her own daughter. Ariana had been born with almost no sight. Her parents, both well-educated and from respectable backgrounds, abandoned her as soon as they learned about her diagnosis. Fear and cowardice apparently spare no one. And so, Ariana ended up at the children’s home, where they named her and raised her. She grew up mostly in darkness, recognising only faint shadows, but she learned to read and adored fairy tales—always believing one day her own fairy godmother would come. When Ariana was nearly seven, her fairy arrived: radiant, wealthy, beautiful, and deeply sad. Ariana couldn’t see her properly, but she sensed kindness. The director was curious why Catherine wanted a disabled child, but Catherine gave only polite, evasive answers. A carer led Ariana over by the hand. The moment Catherine saw her—angelic, with golden curls and large, deep, blind blue eyes—she knew: she was meant to be hers. “Who is this?” Catherine asked, unable to look away. “That’s our Ariana—she’s wonderful, gentle and sweet,” replied the carer. “She’s mine, Ariana is mine,” Catherine decided on the spot. The bond between Catherine and Ariana grew quickly and deeply, transforming both their lives. Under medical advice, Catherine learned that Ariana might regain her sight with surgery, though she’d need glasses. Before Ariana started school, they went through with the operation, but the results were limited. There might be another chance, but patience was needed. Meanwhile, Catherine devoted herself to her daughter, letting business thrive but keeping her personal life on hold. Ariana blossomed into a stunning young woman and graduated from university. She was grateful, unspoiled, and began working for Catherine’s company. Catherine guarded her closely, wary of opportunists who might take advantage of Ariana’s innocence and future inheritance. Then, Ariana fell in love. Catherine met Anthony and approved of him. Soon, Anthony proposed, and wedding preparations began. Half a year after the wedding, Ariana was due for her final eye operation. Anthony was loving and attentive, but Catherine sometimes felt there was something artificial about him—though she quickly dismissed the thought. One day, the couple visited a countryside restaurant to arrange wedding decorations. When Anthony’s car alarm went off, he left Ariana at the table. His phone, left on the table, rang persistently. Hesitant, Ariana finally answered—just in time to hear her future mother-in-law, Mrs. Ingrid Sutton, say: “Son, I’ve got an idea how we can be rid of that blind Ariana quickly. My friend at the travel agency set aside two tickets. After the wedding, take your little hen to the mountains, say you’re dying to enjoy the scenery. Make sure you’re alone—get her to trip and fall. Then come back and tell the police she disappeared after you argued; act devastated but stay calm. Once they find her, it’ll just look like a tragic accident. Don’t miss this chance, son—once she gets her surgery, it’ll be too late. We can’t let that money slip away. Think about it, I’m hanging up.” Ariana dropped the phone as if it had burned her. So, his mother wants to kill me—and Anthony, too? Her thoughts raced in horror. Just moments earlier, Ariana had been a blissful bride-to-be. Now, she realised those she thought of as family were plotting against her. Anthony never heard the call. She tried to steady herself as he returned and nonchalantly explained about the car alarm and an urgent call from work. “Go,” Ariana replied softly, “I’ll wait for Mum—she’ll help me with the plans.” Left alone, Ariana called Catherine. “Mum, come to the restaurant now,” she managed through tears. When Catherine arrived, Ariana told her everything she’d heard—the mountain plot, Ingrid’s voice, and how she’d quickly hung up before they realised it was her. Catherine was stunned. Could they really have been deceived by Anthony? They sat together, strategising their next steps, until Anthony called: “So, Ariana—did you and your mum decide about the decorations?” Taking the phone, Catherine responded: “Hello, Anthony. Good thing we found out about your plans with your mother just in time. Listen closely about your little mountain getaway…” Anthony either didn’t understand or was a brilliant actor: “What trip? What plans?” “You know—the trip where Ariana was supposed to have a tragic accident, and you’d come back a rich widower. You should also know that even deleted call recordings can be recovered by the police.” After a pause, Anthony replied, “It wasn’t me, it was my mother…” “You’re a coward and a disgrace, hiding behind your mother. Goodbye, Anthony.” The very next day, Anthony fled town with money taken from his mother. Mrs. Sutton also left for another city. She Experienced the Miracle: Seeing the World for Herself At the eye clinic, Ariana underwent her final operation. With her bandages still on, she and Catherine would sit on a bench outside, watched over by the kind young doctor, Dr. Derek Palmer, under the supervision of an experienced surgeon. Derek was clearly smitten, making Catherine nervous but warming Ariana’s heart. When the day came to remove the bandages, Derek brought Ariana a huge bouquet of roses. She was overwhelmed—she could see, truly see, for the first time. The flowers, the handsome young doctor with the gentle grey eyes—it was a dream fulfilled. “I’m so happy—I can see everything!” Ariana wept, and Derek gently calmed her. Glasses would always be a part of Ariana’s life, but that was a small price compared to what she’d gained. Time passed, and Ariana and Derek had a beautiful wedding. A year later, they welcomed a lovely baby daughter with her father’s grey eyes. Surrounded by love and protection, Ariana finally had her happy ending. Thank you for reading, for subscribing, and for your support. Wishing you all the best in life!

To See with My Own Eyes

After the devastating accident that took my husband and our six-year-old daughter, I was utterly lost for a long time. Nearly six months passed in a private clinic near Bath, where I refused to see anyone. My mother was my constant companion, ever patient, gently talking to me day after day. Then, one morning over a cup of tea, she said:

Charlotte, your husbands business is on the brink. Its barely afloat, and poor George can hardly cope on his own. He rang me, asking me to let you know. We ought to be grateful George is so trustworthy, but still…

Those words finally stirred something in me.

Yes, Mum, I ought to pick myself up. I think Henry would have liked me to keep the business going. Thankfully I learned enough when he insisted I work in the office.

I forced myself back to work and managed to save the struggling family firm. The business flourished again, but nothing could fill the gap left by my daughter. I missed her terriblyand the ache in my heart refused to ease.

One evening, Mum sat beside me and said, Darling, have you thought of adopting a little girl from the orphanage? One whose life is much harder than your own. Youd be helping herand, in time, helping yourself as well. It might give you meaning.

I thought hard about Mums words and realised she was right. Soon after, I visited the local orphanage. Deep down, I knew I could never replace my own daughter, but perhaps I could offer love and a home to another child.

Amelia was almost blind from birth. Her parents, both university graduates from good families, turned their backs on her as soon as they heard the diagnosistoo afraid of the responsibility. Cowardice and callousness exist even in the most polished circles.

And so, Amelia ended up in that orphanage, named by the staff. She could barely make out shapes or shadows, but she grew to love stories, especially fairytales, comforting herself with the hope that one day a kind-hearted fairy would visit her too.

On her seventh birthday, her fairy godmother arrivedme, though she could not see that for herself. I appeared in bright colours and a nice dress, but also carrying the weight of my own sorrow. When I arrived, the director seemed surprised. Why would you want a child with a disability? she probed. I had no wish to explain my grief, so I simply replied, I have the means and desire to help a child who needs it most.

A carer led Amelia by the hand into the room, and my heart leapt at the sight of her. She was angelic: golden curls, vast blue eyes, deep and clear, yet clouded with blindness.

Whos this? I asked, barely able to tear my gaze from her.

Thats our Amelia, said the carer, with fondness. Shes gentle and sweet.

Shes meant to be my Amelia, I decided that instant.

Amelia and I quickly became inseparable. Our need for each other bound us closely, and with her arrival, my life gained fresh purpose. I took her to specialists, and was told surgery might help restore her visionshed need to wear glasses forever, but there was hope.

Clinging to that hope, we arranged the surgery before she started school. Unfortunately, her sight improved only a little. Further operations would have to wait until she was a bit older. Life ticked on. I showered my daughter with love and attention. The business thrived. I was an attractive, prosperous woman, but I paid no mind to men. All my care was for Amelia.

She grew into a strikingly beautiful young woman, nothing short of ethereal. She completed her studies at university, joined our firm, and never let her good fortune spoil her character. I watched over her jealously, wary of smooth operators who might court her for her trust fund. If I saw any sign of it, I made it clear theyd not get rich at Amelias expense.

Then love found her. I met her suitor, Thomasa pleasant young manand approved of their budding relationship. Not long after, he proposed, and wedding preparations began in earnest. Six months after the wedding, Amelia would undergo her final eye surgery, which the consultants thought might fully restore her sight.

Thomas was attentive and caring, although occasionally I sensed something artificial about his devotionbut I brushed the doubts aside. One afternoon, they visited the country hotel where the wedding reception would be held, hoping to finalise arrangements. The place was quiet during the day.

Seated at a polished oak table, Thomas placed his phone beside his plate. Then the hotel manager called him outsidehis car alarm was blaring. Alone, Amelia sat waiting, when his phone rang insistently. It kept ringing, so she finally answered.

A womans loud voice burst throughThomass mother, Mrs. Angela Davis.

Tom, Ive got a brilliant plan to get rid of that blind Amelia quickly. My friend at the travel agency has two tickets on hold for a trip to the Lake District. After the wedding, whisk her off to the fellstell her you want to admire the views. Take her for a little walk. Once youre alone, see to it that your dear wife has a nasty accident. Then go straight to the police, say she stormed off after an argument and got lost. Cry, demand a search party. When they find her, itll look like a tragic slip. No one will investigate abroad Youve got the talent to play the grief-stricken husband. Otherwise, if they fix her eyes, well never get rid of herand that money belongs to us, darling. Think it through. Ill hang up now.

Angela ended the call. Amelia dropped the phone, as if it had scalded her hand.

So he and his mother planned to kill her. Thoughts reeled through Amelias mind. Minutes earlier, she was a blissful bride-to-be, listening to final wedding plans. Nowthe unimaginable. The man she and I both trusted had conspired with his mother to end her life.

Thomas returned. No idea what set off the alarmperhaps a stray cat, but the cars fine. His phone buzzed again. Yes, Paul, Ill be there. Must dash to the office, emergency!

Go on, said Amelia quietly. Mum will be here soonwell sort out the details together.

Alright, best get moving He hurried off.

Amelia watched him leave, tears streaming down her face, and immediately phoned me.

Mum, please, come quickly to the hotel. I need you. She tried to sound calm, but I heard the strain in her voice.

Whats wrong, darling? You sound dreadful. Ill be there straight away.

When I arrived twenty minutes later, Amelia was in pieces, barely able to speak.

Mum, Mumthey want to kill me.

Who, love? I stared at her, baffled.

Thomas and his mother. I heard everything myself. He left his phone behind when he went outside. She was urging him to take me to the Lake District after the wedding and make it look like an accident. She was desperate for us not to get the final surgery for my eyes

Darling, are you sure? Are you alright?

Mum, please believe me. I heard with my own two ears. Angela didnt even realise Id answered the call, not Thomas. Nothings changed yetThomas still thinks I know nothing. He was called away to the office.

Stunned, I sat there. Had we been utterly deceived by Thomas? What now? While we tried to pull ourselves together, Thomas called Amelia back.

So, Amelia, has your mother arrived? Have you sorted out the table arrangements?

I snatched up the phone.

Hello, Thomas. Im glad we found out about your and Angelas little scheme in time. The plan for the Lake District, the staged accident…

What are you on about? he stuttered, trying to feign confusion.

Oh come off it. You wanted to be a wealthy widower. Well, let me reassure you: nothing you or your mother cooks up will ever succeed. I hope you realise that if this phone goes to the police, theyll recover everything from iteven deleted calls. You do understand?

He went silent for ages.

I do, butit was my mother, not me…

Pathetic. Hiding behind your mum. Goodbye, Thomas.

The very next day, Thomas fled Londonblaming his mother for everything, draining her bank account before disappearing. Angela made herself scarce too, escaping to her sisters in Manchester.

To see with my own eyesI never truly grasped that saying until then.

Not long afterwards, Amelia had her surgery at a renowned London eye hospital. I stayed at her side, walking her through the hospital gardens, waiting while her vision settled. Her doctor, David Carter, a young consultant, took careful chargehis own interest in Amelia growing with each visit. I kept a wary eye, but he was obviously smitten.

The day they removed her bandages, David arrived with a huge bouquet of English roses. Amelia broke down in tears, joy overwhelming her as she took in her surroundings for the first time, truly seeing the worldand her kind, blond doctor with the soft grey eyes.

Oh, I can see! I can really see! she cried, David gently embracing her.

Shed need glasses for life, but it was a small price compared to the darkness shed left behind.

Time went on and, eventually, David and Amelia had a beautiful wedding in the Cotswolds. A year later, they welcomed a lovely baby girl with her fathers grey eyes. Amelia could not have been happierblessed with a loving, steadfast husband who would never let her come to harm.

Thank you for reading, and for your supportand may you find kindness and good fortune in your own days.