Samantha shut down her computer and gathered her things to leave the office.
Ms. Robinson, theres a young lady here to see you, Angela, her assistant, called over. Says its a personal matter.
Let her in, Angela, Samantha replied, a touch of curiosity in her voice.
A petite, curly-haired woman, wearing a short skirt, stepped into the room.
Good evening. Im Chelsea. Id like to make you an offer, she began.
Samantha raised an eyebrow. Nice to meet you, Chelsea, but I dont think weve met before?
No, not officially. But I do know your husband, Chris. Well enough, actually. She tossed a folded piece of paper onto Samanthas desk.
Samantha picked it up, scanning quickly. It read: Chelsea Smith, pregnancy 5-6 weeks.
What on earth is this? Why bring it to me?
Its simple, Chelsea answered with a smirk. Im pregnant by your husband.
Samantha stared, barely believing her ears. So what exactly are you expecting from mecongratulations?
No, Chelsea replied, I want money. That is, if you care to keep your husband.
Money? Samantha repeated, incredulous. And what, exactly, am I supposed to be paying for?
Ill get an abortion and disappear from Chriss life. He doesnt even know Im pregnantI came to you first. If you refuse, hell find out, and hell likely leave you. After all, everyone knows you cant have children. I know all about you. What do you say?
Samantha felt dizzy, struggling to process the sudden onslaught of information.
How much for your so-called silence? she managed finally.
Only thirty thousand pounds. Pennies for someone like you but you get to keep your husband, grow old together, no drama.
How noble of you, Samantha said sarcastically. Fine. Leave your number. Ill think about it and let you know.
Dont take too long, Chelsea warned, scribbling her mobile on a scrap of paper as she left leisurely.
Ms. Robinson, are you off? Angela poked her head in. Technicians waiting for you
Samantha folded the paper and slipped it into her bag. Im going now. Goodnight, Angela.
She walked out to her car, her mind still reeling. Who was this Chelsea? Could Chris really have fathered a child with her?
Once home, Samantha examined the note again, heart poundingChris would be home any minute.
Love, Im back! Smells like something tasty in here, Chriss voice echoed from the hallway.
Come and find out.
He padded into the kitchen, rubbing his hands together. Samantha sat in an armchair, legs crossed, staring at him intently.
Whats that look for? Chris said, uneasy. Youre giving me the creeps
Chris, who is Chelsea Smith?
She works for one of our partner firms, Chris replied easily. Why?
She claims shes pregnant by you. Hereread. Samantha handed him the paper.
Chris blinked, reading quickly. This is ridiculous I havent touched her. How is this possible?
Shes asking for thirty thousand pounds in exchange for an abortionor else, she claims, youll leave me for her because I cant have kids. Allegedly.
I dont understand this Where is this coming from? Chris swore under his breath. Samantha, you know this is nonsense. Shes lying to get easy money.
I thought as much, Samantha nodded. I may not think youre a saint, but I know people. Shes bluffing.
Im willing to do any test, anything you want. Shes making it up! I only want you, love.
All right. I believe you. Lets eat dinner.
The next day, Samantha rang Chelsea and asked to meet her at the office. Chelsea arrived within half an hour.
Heres how it is, Chelsea. Chris cannot be the father. I trust him. Youll have to make other plans for easy money. Have your abortion if you like.
You’re a strange woman. Why trust him so absolutely? Bit overconfident, arent you? Ever looked properly in the mirror? Youre forty, you know, no matter how well you take care of yourself. Therell always be someone younger, someone prettier.
Is that all?
One more thing. Id like to offer you the chance to buy this baby. Run whatever tests you wantChris is the father, Im sure. After all, I have proof.
How could that be, if nothing happened between you? Samantha asked coldly.
Ill tell you the truth, Chelsea said with a hard look. About six weeks back, there was a work do. Thats when I met Chris. A mutual friend told me he was married to a wealthy woman who couldnt have kids under any circumstance. Frankly, seemed like the perfect setup.
I tried hitting on Chris, but he hardly noticed mewhich stung, as thats never happened to me before. Usually, men fall at my feet. Im young, fit, the works. So I decided on another approach. My sisters a pharmacistshe gave me something that makes you lose your memory for a while.
I slipped some into Chriss drink at the partyI always carry it with me. I took him back to mine; he was docile, didnt have a clue what he was doing. Luckily, it was my ovulation windowand now Im pregnant. He remembers nothing. But I have video proof.
She placed her phone on the desk, showing Samantha a clip of Chris, undressed and dazed, lying on a bed, oblivious to the recording.
For me, getting an abortion is as easy as making toast, Im strong as a horse. But I like moneyespecially easy money. I doubt youll go to the police; you wouldnt want the gossip, being in such a senior job. I figured youd say yes to my offer, but since you refused, Ill have the baby and give it to youthree million in cash and hes yours. Ill go to the doctor, eat well, do everything properly.
Samantha was horrified. Chelsea, you ought to be in prison! Youre a con artist.
I do what I mustIm in a lot of debt. Found myself a wealthy sugar daddy but he died suddenly, left me with nothing. Think about it, Samantha. Ill call you in three days.
Chelsea sauntered out. Samantha drained a glass of water, head pounding from the stress.
That night, she poured out everything to Chris, who was equally appalled.
She used me Ill sue her Chris began, furious.
Chris, strange things happen these days. Weve always dreamed of having a child but fates been unkind. Maybe we try to look at this another way? I read online about tests clinics can do after week seven to see if the childs yours. If it is were given a child of your blood. I know its all wrong, but perhaps its a gift in a strange wrapping. Have you thought about that?
Oh, dont praise that woman, Samantha! Its madness. Let her have an abortion and be done with it! Im not paying a penny, Chris fumed, leaving the room.
Samanthas mind drifted back a decade She and Chris met in universitylove at first sight. They married, lived in a tiny rented flat, built their lives from scratch. Samanthas uncle loaned her money to set up her business, which she repaid in full. Chris opened his own shop; they were happy except for their inability to have children.
One night, walking home from dinner, they were attacked by a drunk gang. One lunged at Chris with a knife; Samantha shielded him and was stabbed. She barely survived. But after emergency surgery, she could never have children; her uterus and ovaries had to be removed. The news devastated her.
Chris was supportive, always by her side. He felt guilty it had happened to her instead of him. Sometimes, Samantha visited church to pray for her loved ones, and always gave to the poor. Once, she handed a coin to an old lady at the church door.
Thank you, my dear. I can see sorrow weighs on you. But dont despair, the woman said.
Thank you, Gran. All is well but Ill never have a child its a tough thing to bear.
I understand. I never had children either but you will. Itll come to you in the strangest of ways.
Samantha left, doubting the old womans words. Life took on its own momentum. Her and Chriss love deepened. And now, this.
Eventually, Samantha persuaded Chris to do the DNA test when Chelsea was nine weeks pregnant. Chelsea did, too. The results proved Chris was the father.
Told you, didnt I? Chelsea crowed when she arrived for the meeting. Are you ready to pay for your child now?
Listen here, Samantha said, voice icy. We could pay a surrogate woman much less to have Chriss baby. But since fate forced our hand, well take this childone and a half million pounds. You get your money, we get the baby. And well do all the paperwork properly.
I asked for three million, not a penny less!
Were dictating terms now. Say no, and youll get nothingnot a shilling. You should be grateful we havent reported you. Count yourself lucky, Chelsea.
***
Chris, its settled. Were having a baby.
Samantha, what on earth paying her
Maybe this is the gift we always wanted. Sometimes, you take the opportunities that come.
Throughout the pregnancy, Chelsea kept her doctors appointments, stayed healthy, and delivered a sturdy, healthy boy on the dot.
Chelsea signed away her rights; Chris took his son home as legal parent. All the paperwork was sorted. Chelsea disappeared from their lives, cash in hand. To everyone else, the baby was born to a surrogate.
Thank you for carrying my husbands son, Samantha told Chelsea as she left.
Little Archie settled into his new home with Samantha and Chris.
Chris, look how much he looks like you
Do you think? I can never tell with babies although, maybe youre right. Quite the stunner, like me.
Remember the old lady at the church I told you about? She said our child would arrive in some extraordinary way turns out, she was right.
Samantha and Chris watched their son, uncertain of what the future held, but full of happiness in that moment.
The universe grants wishes in the strangest ways sometimes
***
A few months later, Samantha saw on the evening news that Chelsea had been found dead in her flat. The circumstances were unclearshed gone too far in her gamesSamantha sat in the nurserys pale morning light, Archie cradled in her arms, his breath soft against her collarbone. The news of Chelseas death felt unreala cold, metallic note in the warmth of their new family. No details had been released, only the anchors solemn voices and a grainy photograph flashing briefly on the screen. Secretly, Samantha mournednot for the woman Chelsea had been, but for the girl who must have once dreamed of more than blackmail and desperation.
She brushed Archies dark hair with her lips. Life often twisted fate in unimaginable shapes. Here was proofinnocence, a future, born of a web she never would have chosen to spin.
Chris entered quietly and knelt beside her, his arms curling around them both. I keep thinking about how different things mightve been he whispered. His eyes lingered on their son, then found hers, heavy with gratitude, sorrow, and love.
Perhaps Chelseas gift was giving us what we never could have on our own, Samantha said softly. And perhaps, in raising him well, we give her broken spirit a little peace.
They sat in silence as the city woke around them. Outside, the world kept turningcars rushing, children chattering on their way to school, life tumbling inexorably forward. Inside, a candle flickered on the mantle, lit by Samantha each evening in memory of wishes granted and prices paid.
Every night, as she sang Archie to sleep, Samantha would remember the words of the old woman at the church:
Itll come to you in the strangest of ways.
She believed it now, utterly.
Love, after all, was never about perfection. It was surviving pain, clinging to hope, and welcoming the unexpectedno matter how it arrived.
As Archies hand closed around her finger, Samantha smiled.
This is our miracle, Chris. And I am at peace.
