Emma turned off her computer and started gathering her things to leave.
Ms. Turner, theres a young woman here to see you. Says its a personal matter.
Send her in, lets see what this is about.
A petite, curly-haired young woman entered the office, dressed in a short skirt.
Good afternoon. My names Chloe. Id like to propose a deal.
Hello, Chloe. A deal, you say? I dont believe weve met
Not with you. But I know your husband, Daniel. Very well, in fact. Take a look at this.
She stepped closer and tossed a piece of paper onto the desk. Emma picked it up and began reading.
Chloe Mitchell, pregnancy confirmed: 5-6 weeks.
What is this? I dont understand Why are you showing me this?
Nothing complicated. Im pregnant by your husband.
Emma stared at her in disbelief. What on earth is going on?
And what exactly do you expect from me? Congratulations?
No. I want money. If you care about him
Money, for what, exactly?
Ill have an abortion and disappear from his life. He doesnt know about the pregnancyyou’re the first to hear. If you refuse, hell leave you for me. After all, you cant have children yourself. I know all about you, Emma. So, what will it be?
Emma was struggling to process the information. Her thoughts raced.
And what price have you put on your secrecy?
Its only £30,000. Pennies for you. But your husband stays, and you get to grow old together
My, how very noble of you! Thank you ever so much for the opportunity! Heres what well do, Chloeleave your phone number. Ill think it over and get in touch.
Dont take too long. Times ticking, I need to know if I have to get things sorted
Chloe jotted down her number and strutted out of the office.
Ms. Turner, are you leaving now? The cleaners waiting
Emma folded the slip of paper and put it in her bag.
Yes, Im off. See you tomorrow, Angela!
Emma left the office and got into her car. What on earth just happened? Who is this Chloe? Could Daniel really have got her pregnant?
Once home, Emma scrutinised the note again. She had to think. Daniel would be home soon.
Darling, Im home! Whats that delicious smell?
Come in and see for yourself
Daniel rubbed his hands together, stepping into the kitchen. Emma sat in an armchair, legs crossed, staring at him intently.
Whats wrong? Youre looking at me like Ive just announced the apocalypse
Daniel, who is Chloe Mitchell?
Shes a colleague from a firm I work with. Why?
Apparently, shes pregnant by you Here, read this.
Daniel gaped at the paper, skimming over its content.
Thats not possible Nothing happened between us. How could this even be?
You tell me. Shes asking £30,000 for an abortion and to stay away. Otherwise, youll be running off with her. Thats what she claims.
I really dont know what to say, Emma. Honestly, this is all madness. I swearnothing happened. Its some sort of ploy.
Ive decided the same. Not that I believe youre a saint, but I can usually spot a liar, and shes definitely one of them. Just wanted some easy cash.
Ill take any test, answer any question. Ive nothing to hide. That womans talking rubbish! Youre the only one I need
Good. Understood. Now lets have dinner.
The next day, Emma called Chloe and invited her in. Chloe was there within thirty minutes.
Look, Chloe. Daniel cannot be the father. I trust him. Your little blackmail scheme hasnt worked. Do what you like.
Youre a strange woman Why do you trust him so blindly? Bit sure of yourself, arent you? Have you looked in the mirror? Youre forty, love. No matter how well-kept you are, therell always be younger, prettier women.
Anything else youd like to say?
Actually, yes. Ill cut you a deal. Buy this baby. Do all the tests you want. Daniels the father. Im one hundred percent sure.
But nothing happened between you? How is that even possible?
Ill tell you the truth. About six weeks ago, there was a work do, and I met Daniel.
A mutual friend had told me Daniel was married to a wealthy woman who couldnt have children, not even through surrogacy. It struck me that hed be the perfect person to make some money from. I tried it on, but he just wasnt interested. Men usually fall all over themselves for meyoung, good-looking, Ive got the lot.
So, I switched tactics. My sister is a pharmacistshe gave me a special powder. A person loses memory for a while, almost like theyre not themselves.
I offered Daniel a drink, having already slipped the powder in. Then I took him home. He was completely docilenot aware of anything. Luckily for me, I was ovulating that night, so now Im pregnant. He remembers nothing. Yes, its possible. Thats why Im so sure. I even filmed it.
Chloe placed her phone in front of Emma and showed her the video. Daniel, undressed and glassy-eyed, lay motionless, seemingly oblivious to being filmed.
Having an abortions not a bother for me. Never had a days illness in my life. But I do love money, especially easy money. I doubt youll call the policenot with your job and reputation. Wouldnt want the scandal.
I thought youd accept. But if not, Im happy to carry this baby and give it to you. Ill go to all the appointments, eat well, all that. £30,000, and hes yours.
Emma was shocked to her core. How can this be real?
Chloe, I have no words! You should be in prison. Youre a scammer!
Everyone has to get by however they can. Ive got massive debtshad a wealthy sugar daddy, but he dropped dead. Dont overreact, Emmathink it over. Ill ring you in three days.
Chloe walked out. Emma gulped water from the carafeher head ached. What a mess
That evening, she told Daniel everything. He was stunned too.
Ive been used Ill take her to court
Daniel, things happen these days that youd never believe. But lets see it from another angle. I read that you can do a DNA test from the mothers blood after seven weeks. Lets make sure its your baby first. We always dreamed of having a child but had no luck
We never considered adoption. But if it really is your childyes, not conceived honestlybut maybe its fates way of giving us a child and saving him. Ever think of that?
Really, arent you laying it on a bit thick? Let her get rid of it and leave us alone! No way are we paying money for this!
Daniel stormed out.
Emmas mind drifted back a decade
She and Daniel were at university together. Love at first sight. They were inseparable, got married soon after. Rented a tiny flat. As soon as Emma graduated, her career took off. Her uncle helped her start a firm and gave her the money to fund it.
When the business grew, she repaid her uncle in fullplus interest. Daniel opened a shop, Emma ran her company. Life was good. They desperately wanted children, but nothing worked.
One night they walked home from a restaurant under a perfect sky. A group of drunken lads attacked them, one lunging at Daniel with a knife. Emma threw herself in front of her husband and took the blow to her stomach instead.
She spent days in hospital fighting for her life. She survived, but had to have her womb and ovaries removed. Children were impossible now. The news crushed Emma. Shed never be a mum.
Daniel supported her through it all. He blamed himself for what happenedwished hed taken the blow instead.
Emma would sometimes visit church, light a candle, pray for family and friends. She often gave to the poor.
One day, she gave some change to an old lady by the church gates.
Thank you, my dear. I see theres a sorrow eating you up, but please, dont be sad, the old lady said.
Oh, Granny, I have it all, but Ill never have children Its hard to accept.
I understand, I never had children either But you will have a child. Theyll come to you in the most unexpected way
Emma sighed and moved on. Who knew what an old woman might say?
She threw herself into work and her relationship with Daniel only deepened over the years. And now, this
Emma convinced Daniel to give a blood sample, and Chloe did too at nine weeks pregnant. The DNA test confirmed paternity.
Well, have I proved Im not a liar? Ready to pay up now? Chloe smirked.
Lets be clear. Finding a woman to have Daniels child wouldnt even cost this muchand thats if we were thinking that way. We never were! But, things are as they are, so well take the baby. But youll get £15,000not a penny more.
Well sort everything legally and properly.
I asked for £30,000! Why are you bargaining?
Now were the ones calling the shots. Dont like it, dont take ityoull get nothing. Just be glad were not calling the police. Were decent people
***
Daniel, its sorted. Were going to have a baby.
Em, why all this even paying her
Maybe this is fates gift to us, and we should accept it
Throughout her pregnancy Chloe kept every appointment, did all the tests, followed everything asked of her. In due time, a healthy baby boy was born.
Chloe gave up her rights. Daniel, as the childs father, brought his son home. All the legal stuff was sorted. Chloe took the money and vanished. Everyone was told a surrogate had given birth.
Thank you for bearing my husbands child, Emma said to Chloe as they parted.
Their son, Charlie, settled in with Emma and Daniel.
Daniel, look at him, hes got your eyes
You think so? I cant tell with little ones Though, yeah, maybe hes as handsome as me
Remember the old lady by the church? I told you about her once. She predicted this Our child appeared in a most amazing way
Emma and Daniel gazed at their son. Who knows what the future holds, but for now they were happy.
Sometimes the universe answers your wish in the oddest way
***
A few months later, Emma heard on the news that Chloe Mitchells body had been found in her flat. Police were investigating the circumstances. Shed finally gone too farEmma stood by the window, cradling Charlie in her arms as golden evening light flushed the room. Daniel was busy assembling one of the boys new toys nearby, casting her a grateful smile now and then. Outside, a drizzle began to tap at the panesbut inside, warmth bloomed.
For days after the news about Chloe, Emma found herself strangely thoughtful. Sadness tugged at hernot for the woman Chloe had been, but for what desperation had turned her into. No one had ever truly known Chloe, except for her brief, jagged impact on their lives.
One Sunday, Emma wrapped Charlie in his tiny blue jacket and walked to the old church. She lit a candle, the flame trembling gently.
I dont know if youre listening, she whispered, but thank youfor this life, for this second chance, however it found us.
As she placed a small offering in the charity box, the same hunched old woman appeared at the door, eyes glinting.
I told you a gift always finds its way to those who hope, she said softly.
Emma smiled, tears stinging her eyes.
Hes beautiful, isnt he?
The old woman nodded. Cherish him, and rememberlove isnt always born, sometimes its chosen.
Emma left, feeling a strange peace settle over her. She realized that sometimes, what begins with betrayal and pain can end in grace. The shadows of the past had made her treasure the fragile, golden present.
At home that night, as Emma rocked Charlie in her armsDaniels hand resting on her shouldershe looked down at her sons peaceful face.
She whispered, Welcome home, Charlie. However you came to us, you are ours. And we are yours.
In that moment, beneath the hum of the house at dusk, Emma understood: families are stitched not by perfect beginnings, but by hard-forged loveand the unbreakable hope that, despite it all, you finally belong.
