When Fate Comes Knocking
Simon, the head of marketing, a confident and single man, couldn’t resist when he saw the new employee—a bold and spirited girl named Emily. She had just walked into the office, and he was already making his way toward her, his interest impossible to disguise.
“Good morning, colleague,” he said, his smile warm, almost scorching, making Emily hold his gaze a second longer.
“Morning,” she replied softly, but with a spark, the corners of her lips twitching into a smile.
“Well then, get started. Olivia will show you the ropes—she’s our go-to for training,” Simon nodded toward the senior colleague. “Familiarize yourself with the guidelines. Best of luck—hopefully, we’ll work well together.”
The other employees, mostly women, watched him leave. The moment Simon stepped out, Olivia leaned toward her desk mate, Charlotte, whispering,
“Since when does our Simon go out of his way for new hires?” They exchanged glances and stifled a laugh.
Emily was cautious at first. A new workplace, unfamiliar faces. She wasn’t shy—at twenty-three, she’d already had her share of whirlwind romances. Back in college, she’d tangled with a lecturer twenty years her senior. He ended things when rumours reached his family. Emily just shrugged and moved on, leaving a trail of broken hearts behind.
Two weeks later, Simon asked her to stay late for coffee by the Thames.
“Why not? You’re my boss. Best to stay on your good side,” she answered, a sly smile playing on her lips as if daring him.
Her tone was so innocent that Simon almost thought she was joking. But his heart leapt. At thirty-two, he’d never had a serious relationship—things always fizzled halfway. With Emily, it was different. Everything happened fast: dates, passion, love. Soon, the whole office buzzed with news—Simon and Emily were inviting everyone to their wedding.
**Family on the Edge**
Simon doted on Emily, indulging her every whim. She laid down one rule:
“No children, Simon. I want to live for myself. When I’m ready, I’ll say so. Until then—no prams, no sleepless nights.”
He hoped time would change her mind. Months passed, but she only waved him off:
“Simon, I told you from the start. Don’t push me. I’m not ready.”
One evening, he found her in the bathroom, pale, clutching a pregnancy test with shaking hands.
“Emily… you’re pregnant?” he breathed, afraid to believe it.
She nodded silently, eyes brimming with tears. Overjoyed, Simon scooped her up, but she suddenly sobbed:
“I don’t want this! I don’t want to be fat, I don’t want this life! Do something!”
He held her close, kissing her tear-streaked cheeks.
“Don’t cry—this is a miracle. I love you, Emily. We’re going to have a baby!”
But Emily was resolute. She booked an appointment to terminate the pregnancy. Simon stormed into the clinic at the last moment, dragging her out in a heated argument.
“Emily, please, don’t do this. Let our child live. I’ll be there—I’ll take care of everything,” his voice trembled.
She agreed—on one condition: nappies, night feeds, all of it was on him. Throughout the pregnancy, Simon was at her side, anticipating her every need. When the time came, he drove her to the hospital. Only after seeing their healthy baby girl did he finally exhale.
**Abandoned Daughter**
Elated, he went home to rest. But the next day at the hospital, a blow awaited him:
“Your wife is gone. She left the baby,” the nurse said, handing him a folded note. “This is for you.”
“It can’t be!” Simon refused to believe. “Maybe she stepped out? Find her!”
But Emily had vanished. Calls went unanswered, her number changed. Six weeks later, she finally called:
“Pack my things. My boyfriend Daniel will collect them. File for divorce yourself—I’m not coming back.”
Not a word about their daughter. She didn’t want the baby—or Simon. So he became both father and mother to little Lily. His mum, living nearby, took on caring for her granddaughter.
**Shadows of the Past**
Lucy, hearing the phone ring, snatched it up. The caller was Mrs. Thompson, her son Jake’s Year 2 teacher.
“Lucy, come to the school immediately! Your son has caused quite the scene!” The line went dead.
Lucy rushed from work, heart pounding.
“What could Jake have done? He’s quiet, well-behaved. Never any trouble,” she thought, quickening her pace.
Jake had been a miracle. Her husband, Mark, had confessed before their wedding—he was infertile. Medical proof. It was his third marriage.
“Maybe the doctors were wrong? Miracles happen,” Lucy said. She loved Mark and was prepared for anything, even adoption—though she hadn’t brought it up yet.
Mark’s first wife left within a year—infidelity. The second walked out upon learning of his diagnosis—she’d wanted children. With Lucy, he’d been honest. Yet, to her shock, she fell pregnant. Beaming, she showed him the scan: eight weeks.
“Mark, look—we’re having a baby! I told you doctors can be wrong!” she rejoiced.
Instead of joy, he struck her across the face.
“Happy? You’ve cheated on me!” he roared, raising his hand again.
Lucy wept, shielding herself. That evening, he cooled off:
“Fine. Keep the kid. Even if it’s not mine.”
She stayed silent. Jake was born—Mark’s mirror image. At first, Mark watched, even played with him. But soon, the rages returned.
“Tramp! Bet you’ve already told your lover about the boy! Why put my name on the birth certificate? Let him pay child support!” he screamed.
Jake grew up hearing these tirades, crying. Mark would sneer,
“Go find your real dad—let him feed you!”
Lucy got a DNA test proving Mark was Jake’s father. He refused to believe it:
“Bribed them, did you? Not fooling anyone!”
She took Jake and fled to her mother’s. Mark tracked them down. So she rented a flat across town, filed for divorce. Still, he harassed them. Desperate, she moved to another city. Only then did life begin anew.
At the school, Lucy found Jake with a man and a girl—his classmate Lily. She knew Lily: top of the class, teacher’s pet. Jake had a scratch on his cheek; Lily glowered at him.
“Hello,” Lucy managed, just as Mrs. Thompson arrived.
“Ah, there you are,” she said. “Jake pushed Lily—she fell and hurt herself.”
**A World of Fragments**
“Mum, it wasn’t me!” Jake blurted. “She started it! You said not to hit girls, but she stuck her tongue out, called me names, scratched me! So I—”
“Dad, I didn’t do anything,” Lily muttered, jerking as if to shove Jake but stopping short.
“Lily, enough,” the man said sternly.
“Jake, apologise to Lily,” said Lucy.
“And you too, Lily,” added the man.
The children stood, tense. The teacher sighed.
“Parents, perhaps you can sort this out?”
“We will,” Lucy and Simon said in unison, exchanging a glance—then unexpectedly laughing.
“I’m Simon, Lily’s father.”
“Lucy, Jake’s mum.”
“Lily, sorry,” Jake mumbled, scowling.
“You too,” Lily said quietly, nudging his sleeve.
“Well done!” both parents chorused, laughing again. The kids grinned too.
“This calls for celebration,” Simon said. “Pizza?”
“Mum, please!” Jake begged.
Lily declared solemnly,
“Don’t think we’re not really sorry. Right, Jake?”
“We believe you,” Lucy nodded, glancing at Simon. “Clearly just a misunderstanding.”
Over pizza, the children chattered, already friends. Jake even promised Lily,
“If anyone bullies you, tell me—I’ll sort them out.”
The parents shared a look, saying nothing. A spark had passed between them. After that day came more—cinema trips, park walks, evenings at home. The kids noticed first, thrilled—almost more than their parents.
Time passed. Simon and Lucy, laughing, would recall that first meeting, thanking fate for a childish spat. Every cloud… Lucy was expecting. Jake and Lily had already picked a name for their baby brother—Theodore.
Life, when given a second chance, has a way of mending itself.
