To See With Her Own Eyes After a devastating tragedy that claimed the lives of her husband and six-year-old daughter in a car accident, Katherine struggled to recover. She spent almost six months in a clinic, avoiding everyone except her patient, supportive mother. One day, her mother gently intervened: “Katie, your husband’s business is on the brink. It’s barely staying afloat—George is having a tough time managing. He called me, asked me to let you know. It’s fortunate that George is so trustworthy, but…” The words seemed to rouse Katherine a little. “Yes, Mum, I need to keep busy. I think Dennis would be pleased if I took over his work. It’s a good thing I know the ropes—he must have sensed something, bringing me into the office.” Katherine returned to work and managed to save the faltering family business. But, despite this success, she missed her lost daughter desperately. “Darling, I want to suggest something. Why don’t you foster a little girl from an orphanage—one going through even darker times than you? Help her, and you’ll help yourself too. Trust me, you’ll see.” After giving it serious thought, Katherine realised her mother was right. Soon, she stood in an orphanage, knowing full well that no one could ever replace her own flesh and blood. Alice was almost blind at birth. Her well-educated, respectable parents abandoned her immediately after her diagnosis—fear and cowardice trumped responsibility, even for them. So Alice arrived at the children’s home, named by the staff, growing up hardly able to see the world, distinguishing only light and shadows. She loved reading, adored fairytales and dreamed that, one day, a good fairy would come for her. When Alice was nearly seven, her fairy appeared—glamorous, wealthy and terribly sad. Although the little girl couldn’t see the woman’s face, she sensed her kindness. The orphanage director was surprised at Katherine’s willingness to foster a child with a disability, but Katherine just gave the usual explanations: she had the means and the heart to help. When Alice was brought in, Katherine instantly knew—this was her child. The little girl looked like an angel, with golden curls and huge, sightless blue eyes. “Who is she?” Katherine asked, unable to look away. “That’s our Alice—delicate and so loving,” answered the carer. “Alice is mine, I know it,” Katherine decided on the spot. Katherine and Alice adored each other—they both needed love so badly. With Alice in her arms, Katherine’s life found meaning again. She consulted doctors, who said a risky operation might allow Alice to see—she might need glasses forever, but there was hope. Clinging to the idea, Katherine arranged for the surgery before Alice started school. The results were disappointing, but there was a chance for improvement as she grew older. Years passed. Katherine poured her heart into parenting. The business thrived, and she became a successful, attractive woman—though she had eyes for no one but her daughter. Alice grew into a stunning, gracious young woman. She finished university, was grateful, never spoiled, and worked in her mother’s firm. Katherine, protective and sharp-eyed, kept an eye on every young man who approached her daughter, especially since Alice’s inheritance was considerable. Love finally found Alice. Katherine met her boyfriend, Anthony, and found nothing to object to. Anthony soon proposed and wedding preparations began. Six months after the wedding, Alice was set for her final eye operation. Anthony was tender and attentive, though Katherine sometimes sensed a certain insincerity that she brushed aside. The couple visited a countryside restaurant (the planned wedding reception venue) to discuss decorations. It was quiet during the day. After they sat down, Anthony put his phone on the table; when his car alarm went off, he dashed outside. Alone, Alice ignored his ringing phone until the calls became insistent. She picked up, and before she could speak, heard Anthony’s mother, Mrs. Innes, on the other end. “Darling, I’ve got it! After the wedding, you’ll take blind little Alice to the mountains—it’s the perfect way to be rid of her. Go hiking together and make sure your dear wife has a fatal slip. Head back, call the police, say she stormed off after a row—cry, demand they search for her, play the grieving husband. If they find her, it’ll look like an accident. No one investigates these things abroad. Play the role—you’re a natural. Once she’s out of the way, you get everything. Just make sure her mother doesn’t get her eyes fixed first; that would make things much harder…” The call ended. Alice’s hands trembled as she replaced the phone. “So they want to kill me, and Anthony is in on it too,” she thought in horror. Moments earlier she’d been a blissful bride-to-be—now, the people she and her mother considered family had turned out to be monsters. Alice shuddered, barely holding it together when Anthony returned: “Strange, must’ve been a cat that set off the alarm—no damage, anyway,” he said. His phone buzzed again. “Ah, work emergency—I have to rush to the office.” “Go ahead,” Alice murmured, “I’ll wait for Mum and we’ll discuss everything.” As he left, Alice fought back tears and called her mother. “Mum, come to the restaurant—please, it’s urgent!” Her voice shook. “Darling, what’s happened? You sound so upset. I’ll be right there.” When Katherine arrived, Alice revealed everything. Katherine was stunned but knew her daughter spoke the truth—she had overheard Mrs. Innes herself. As the women tried to gather their thoughts, Anthony called Alice. “Well, Alice, has your mum arrived? Have you finalised the reception?” Taking the phone, Katherine said, “Hello, Anthony, dear. Good thing we discovered your and your mother’s little scheme in time. We know all about your mountain holiday plans—the ones where Alice wouldn’t come back.” Anthony hesitated, “I—I don’t know what you’re talking about. What plans?” “Oh, we have all the proof we need, Anthony. Perhaps you’ll explain everything to the police—and don’t think you can delete the evidence; investigators have ways of retrieving everything.” Anthony fell silent, then muttered, “It was my mother, not me…” “A real gentleman, hiding behind his mum. Goodbye, Anthony.” Next day, Anthony left town, blaming his mother for giving him away. He took her money and ran. Mrs. Innes disappeared too. She Experienced Shock Seeing with Her Own Eyes At the eye clinic, Alice had her operation. Katherine was at her side as the bandages came off. The young doctor, Dr. James, had performed the surgery, and it was clear he was very taken with Alice. Katherine watched closely, but saw nothing but genuine affection. When Alice saw clearly for the first time, Dr. James presented her with a bouquet of red roses. Overwhelmed, Alice burst into tears—she could see it all: the flowers, the handsome blond doctor, life itself. “I can see—I see everything!” she wept joyfully, and Dr. James hurried to comfort her. Alice needed glasses, but it was a small price to pay. In time, Dr. James and Alice had a beautiful wedding. A year later, a daughter was born with grey eyes like her dad. Alice was filled with happiness—a devoted husband and a loving family at last. Thank you for reading, subscribing and supporting. All the best!

Author Wanda MirandaReading 9 minViews 3

See For Yourself

After that dreadful accident snatched away her husband and six-year-old daughter, Charlotte felt like shed been swept into a storm with no end in sight. She spent nearly six months tucked away in a private clinic, refusing visitors. Her mother, sturdy as ever, kept vigil at her side, gently coaxing her out of the shadows day after day. Then, one day, she delivered a reality check:

Charlotte, darling, your husbands business is circling the drain. Mikes barely keeping it afloat. He rang me, desperate for you to step in. Thank heavens Mikes honourable, but still

Something about those words managed to shake Charlotte from her daze.

Youre right, Mum. I cant just let it collapse. I suppose Dennis would have wanted me to carry on what he built. Good thing he taught me some of the ropes back in the office.

With a deep breath and a put-on smile, Charlotte returned to work, rescuing the business from the brink. But where spreadsheets could be balanced, the ache for her lost daughter was an equation that never worked out.

Trying to coax her into a new chapter, her mother made a gentle suggestion.

Sweetheart, why not adopt a little girl from the childrens home? Especially one whos had a harder time than most. You could change her life, andbelieve meit would change yours too.

Charlotte chewed over those words and, after a few sleepless nights, realised her mum had a point. She couldnt replace her own daughter, of course, but perhaps she could sprinkle a little hope into another childs life.

There, in the heart of a rather greyish Surrey council-run childrens home, lived nearly-blind Alice. Her biological parentsdespite being Oxbridge types from terribly respectable familieshad bolted at the first mention of vision impairment. Responsibility? Not really their cup of tea.

So Alice landed in the home, named by a kindly nurse who favoured classics. She grew up mostly in her own world, seeing little but shapes and shadows, but she adored fairy tales and clung to the hope that one day shed meet her very own fairy godmother.

Her miracle arrived just before her seventh birthday: a tall, elegant woman, striding in with both pain and kindness radiating from her. Alice couldnt see much, but she sensed she was safe when Charlotte knelt beside her. The head of the home raised her browswhy on earth would this well-to-do businesswoman want a child with health problems? Charlotte dodged the awkward conversation by waving off concerns, I have the means, and Id like to help a child who needs a bit of luck.

A young care worker took Alice by the hand and gently introduced her. In that moment, Charlotte just knewthis little girl with angelic curls and deep blue, hauntingly vacant eyes was somehow destined for her.

Whos this, then? Charlotte whispered, blinking back tears.

Thats our Alicesweet as they come, smiled the worker.

Well, shes definitely my Alice now, Charlotte declared.

Alice fit into Charlottes life like the missing puzzle piece neither knew they needed. Charlotte threw herself into mothering again, her world starting to bloom with meaning. Doctors hesitantly gave hope: If we operate, she might see again, though shell need glasses, they said.

Charlotte clung to that hope like a lifeboat and arranged for surgery before school started. The outcome was modestAlices sight improved, if only slightly. There was another shot at full vision when she was older, so they waited. Charlotte lavished attention on her, the business thrived, yet her life revolved solely around Alice. Men, romance? That ship had sailed.

Alice blossomed into the sort of beauty whod make Pre-Raphaelite painters weepethereal, gracious, endlessly grateful, and now working with her mother in the family company. Charlotte guarded her daughter fiercely. Every suitor was scrutinisedher girls kindness and, lets be honest, substantial inheritance made her a target for opportunists. Woe betide any chap thinking hed get rich quick by proposing.

Eventually, love turned up in the unassuming form of Toma pleasant fellow who raised no red flags. Charlotte, while always vigilant, found nothing worrying about him and gave her motherly blessing. Tom soon proposed, and before long, wedding plans were in full swing. The doctors scheduled Alices final eye surgery for half a year after the nuptials, raising hope for a brighter futureliterally and figuratively.

Tom seemed the picture of a doting fiancé, yet sometimes Charlotte sensed a whiff of insincerity. She shrugged it off. One sunny afternoon, Tom and Alice visited the countryside venue where they would tie the knot. Mid-discussion about flower arrangements, Toms car alarm started squawking outside. He left his phone on the table and dashed out.

Alone, Alice ignored the ringing phone at first. It persisted. She answered itbarely managing Hello?only to be blasted by Toms mother, Mrs. Sutton, whose voice could carry across counties.

Tommy dearest, Ive got just the plan to get rid of that blind Alicemy friend at the agencys got two spots for that Alpine hiking trip. Take her up the mountains right after the wedding. Say you fancy panoramic views. It wouldnt take muchone misplaced step, gone! Come back, report her missing. Sobs, drama. The foreign police wont bother, and if they do, theyll chalk it up to an accident. Your grieving act is aceyoull fool everyone. If she gets that blasted operation, were stuffed. Now, dont let all that money slip through our fingers, love. Right. Bye-bye!

Mrs. Sutton hung up, and Alice dropped the phone like it was a hot iron.

Her whole world spun. Her future mother-in-law wanted her dead, and Tomwas he in on it? Only moments ago shed been a giddy bride-to-be; now the horror was heavy in her chest.

Tom returned, none the wiser, muttering about cats and alarms before being summoned to the office urgently by his mate, Rob.

Ill wait for Mum here, Alice croaked. We can talk wedding stuff without you.

As Tom made his excuses and left, Alice called Charlotte. She tried to sound composed, but her trembling voice betrayed her.

Mum, please get here. Now.

Charlotte arrived within twenty minutes, sat, took one look at her daughters red eyes, and frowned.

Alice, whats happened?

Mum, they want to kill me. Toms mother was on the phonehe left it behind. I heard everything. Shes pushing him to take me to the mountains, make it look like an accident before we go ahead with my eye surgery.

Charlotte stared. Are you sure, darling? Youre not imagining things?

I heard her with my own ears. Toms gone to work. She doesnt know it was me who picked up.

They sat, thunderstruck, struggling to process how two people theyd trusted could plot such villainy. Then Tom called.

So, Alice, did your mum arrive? Get that decor sorted?

Charlotte snatched up Alices phone.

Hello, Tom. Good timing! Pity about your little mountain scheme, though. We know everything, so listen carefullyplan, tickets, the whole caboodle.

Tom feigned confusion so badly he might as well have worn a sign.

What plan? Tickets?

Oh, for your Alpine accident! Dont play dumb, Tom. Im sure the police would be fascinated by the recording on your phoneeven the deleted bits. Shall I ring them?

A silence. Then, weakly, It was Mums idea, not mine

Charlotte scoffed. Coward. Goodbye, Tom.

By the following morning, Tom had vanished from London, cashing out his mums savings and doing a runner. Mrs. Sutton herself made herself scarcepopping off to visit a friend up north. They never heard from either again.

Seeing is Believing

Alices eye surgery came at the London Eye Clinic, with Charlotte by her side, buzzing with both nerves and hope. Young Dr. James Whitakergentle, tall, with shy grey eyes and rather nice hairsaw to Alice with the utmost care.

It didnt escape Charlottes notice that Dr. Whitaker seemed thoroughly smitten, and, for once, she approved. He blushed when Alice smiled and, on the day her bandages came off, brought a glorious bouquet of pale pink roses. For Alice, the moment the world finally sharpened into focus, the shock was totalroses aflame with colour, and standing above them, the handsomest man shed ever imagined, right out of a fairy tale.

I can see! OhI really can! she cried, and Dr. Whitaker all but melted away in delight.

True, Alice would have to wear glasses forever, but after what shed been through, that was a triflejust another accessory, like a statement necklace.

Soon enough, Alice and Dr. Whitakers wedding outshone anything the society pages had seen in ages. A year later they welcomed a baby girlgrey-eyed, just like her father. Alices happily-ever-after was safe at last, with a husband so caring the wolves of the world wouldnt dare come near.

Thank you for readingand heres hoping your support brings you luck, good sense, and a bit of fairy-tale magic just when you need it most!

DO I REMEMBER? I CAN’T FORGET! “Polly, there’s something I need to tell you… Do you remember my illegitimate daughter, Annie?” My husband spoke in riddles, and I grew uneasy. “Do I remember? I could never forget! Why?” I sat down, bracing myself for bad news. “I don’t even know how to say this… Annie’s begging us to take in her daughter—my granddaughter,” he stammered. “And why should we, Alex? What about Annie’s husband? Did he vanish into thin air?” I was intrigued—my curiosity piqued. “You see, Annie doesn’t have long to live. She never had a husband. Her mother married an American and moved to the States ages ago—they’re not on speaking terms, and Annie has no other family. That’s why she’s asking,” Alex mumbled, not meeting my eyes. “So? What are you thinking? What will you do?” I’d already made up my mind. “I’m asking you, Polly. Whatever you decide, that’s what we’ll do,” Alex finally met my gaze, questioning. “How convenient. So you made mistakes in your youth, and now I have to take responsibility for someone else’s child?” My husband’s lack of resolve infuriated me. “Polly, we’re a family. We should decide together,” Alex pushed back. “Oh, look at that—now you remember I’m your wife! But did you ask me when you rolled in the hay with that girl?!” Tears welled up, and I fled to another room. Back in school, I’d been dating my classmate Val, but as soon as the new boy, Sam, arrived, I forgot everyone else. I broke up with Val soon after. Sam noticed me, started walking me home, kissing me on the cheek, bringing me flowers. A week later, we ended up in bed. I’d fallen for Alex for life. We finished school, and Sam was called up for National Service in another city. We wrote for a year, then Sam came home on leave. I was ecstatic, bending over backward to please him. He promised: “Polly, I’ll come back in a year and we’ll get married! I already consider you my wife.” Those words filled me with love. That’s how it’s always been: Sam would flash me one of his sweet glances and I’d melt. He left again, and I waited, thinking myself a fiancée. Half a year later, I got a letter—he’d found his true love near his army base and wouldn’t be coming home. Meanwhile, I was pregnant—with Sam’s child. So much for that wedding promise. “Never trust buckwheat in bloom, trust what’s stored away,” my gran had always said. Soon after, my son John was born. Val, my old boyfriend, offered to help out—I accepted out of desperation. We’d been close, but I never thought Sam would reappear. He hadn’t been in touch for ages when, out of the blue, he turned up. Val opened the door, and there was Sam. “Can I come in?” Sam asked. “Go ahead, you’re here already,” Val reluctantly let him in. John, sensing the tension, burst into tears and clung to Val. “Val, can you take John for a walk?” I had no idea what to do. Val and John left. “Is he your husband?” Sam asked jealously. “Why do you care? What are you doing here?” “I missed you. I see you’ve settled, Polly, got a family. Guess you didn’t wait for me. I’ll go, then. Sorry for disturbing your family idyll.” Sam turned to go. “Wait, Sam. Why did you really come? To torment me? Val’s been helping me cope, actually raising your two-year-old son,” I said, trying to keep him. I still loved him. “I came back for you, Polly. Will you have me?” Sam looked at me hopefully. “Come in, lunch is almost ready,” my heart soared. He had come back—he hadn’t forgotten me. Why fight it? Val was shown the door again—my John deserved his real dad. Val later married a wonderful divorced woman who already had two children. Years went by, but Sam never managed to love John as a father—he always thought John was Val’s. His heart wasn’t in it. I knew it. Sam was a womanizer, quick to fall for others and quick to leave. He cheated on me—my friends, and even their friends! I cried constantly but still cherished our family. But it was still easier for me—I loved in blissful ignorance. I didn’t have to lie, make up stories, or justify myself. I just loved. Sam was my sun. Sometimes I thought I should leave, but at night I’d reproach myself: where would I find another man like him? And Sam would be lost without me—I was his lover, his wife, and his mother all in one. Sam lost his mum when he was fourteen—she died in her sleep. Maybe that’s why he’s always seeking affection elsewhere. I forgave him everything. Once, we fought so badly I threw him out. He moved in with family. A month later, I’d forgotten what we’d even argued about, but Sam still hadn’t come home. I had to go to his aunt’s. “Polly, why are you after Sam? He said you were divorced. He’s got a new girl now.” That’s how I learned about her—and her address. I paid her a visit. “Hello! Is Sam in?” I tried to be polite. Her smirk said it all—she slammed the door. Sam came back a year later. The girl had had a daughter, Annie. I still blame myself for kicking him out. Maybe, if I hadn’t, he’d never have fathered that child. Sam and I never spoke about his illegitimate daughter, Annie. It was the one subject that could tear our family apart, so we kept silent. A child from a fling—these things happen. But I never forgave the other woman. Life went on. Sam mellowed—his wandering stopped. Our son got married young, gave us three grandkids. And then, this… After all these years, Annie appeared. She wants us to take in her daughter. It makes you think—how do I explain the sudden appearance of a strange girl to John? He knows nothing of his father’s escapades. But of course, we took five-year-old Alice in. Annie passed away, her journey ending at thirty. Graves soon grass over, but life goes on. Sam had a heart-to-heart with John. Our son summed it up: “What’s done is done, Dad. I don’t judge. And that girl—she’s family.” Sam and I breathed a sigh of relief. Good lad, our John—so kind. Now, Alice is sixteen. She adores Granddad Sam, confides in him, and calls me Nana. She says she’s the spitting image of me at her age. And I just smile and agree…

Winter had blanketed Andrew’s garden in a soft layer of snow, but his loyal German Shepherd, Duke, was acting strangely. Instead of curling up inside the large kennel Andrew had lovingly built for him last summer, Duke stubbornly insisted on sleeping outside, right in the cold snow. Andrew watched from the window, a tightness in his chest—Duke had never behaved like this before. Every morning, when Andrew went out, Duke would look at him with tension in his eyes. And whenever Andrew moved towards the kennel, Duke positioned himself between Andrew and the entrance, growling quietly and gazing up with pleading eyes, as if saying: “Please, don’t go in there.” This uncharacteristic behaviour after years of friendship left Andrew deeply unsettled—what was his best friend hiding? Determined to uncover the truth, Andrew hatched a small plan—he lured Duke into the kitchen with a tempting piece of steak. While the dog, locked safely inside, barked furiously at the window, Andrew approached the kennel and crouched down to peer inside. His heart stopped as his eyes adjusted to the darkness and he saw something that chilled him to the bone… …Inside, bundled in a blanket, was a tiny kitten—dirty, frozen, and barely breathing. Its eyes barely opened, and its little body shivered against the cold. Somehow, Duke had found it and, rather than chasing it off or leaving it alone, had taken it under his protection. Duke slept outside to avoid frightening the kitten and guarded the entrance as if there was a treasure within. Andrew held his breath. He reached in gently and gathered the frail creature to his chest. Instantly, Duke ran to his side and pressed close to his shoulder—not growling this time, but carefully, ready to help. “You’re a good boy, Duke…” Andrew whispered, hugging the kitten. “Better than most people.” From that day on, there were no longer just two friends in the garden, but three. And the kennel Andrew had built with such care finally regained its true purpose—as a little home for saved souls.