There Are No Coincidences Four years had passed since Agatha’s mother died, but the bitterness and unbearable grief still haunted her—especially that evening after the funeral. Her father sat crushed by sorrow, Agatha exhausted from crying. In their spacious, well-built English home, a heavy silence loomed. Agatha was sixteen then and understood how hard and painful it was for her and her father, for once, the three of them had been so happy. Ivan put a comforting arm around her shoulders and said, “We must find a way to live on, my dear. We’ll get used to a new way of life…” Time went by. Agatha trained as a paramedic and had recently begun working at the village clinic. She lived alone now, as her father had married another woman a year ago and moved to a nearby village. Agatha held no grudge; life goes on. She would marry in her own time, and her father was still a young man. On her father’s birthday, Agatha stepped off the bus in a lovely dress and shoes, clutching a present for her only close family. “Happy birthday, Dad!” she beamed, embracing him warmly as he welcomed her home. “Hello, my darling! Come inside, the table’s all set,” Ivan said. “Agatha, finally! My children are starving!” called Katya—her new stepmum—from the kitchen. Katya’s daughter Rita, a sulky and difficult thirteen-year-old, and her ten-year-old son now lived with Ivan. Agatha seldom visited—the family tensions, especially Rita’s rudeness and her mother’s lack of discipline, made it trying. After the greetings, Katya began grilling Agatha. “Do you have a boyfriend? Any plans for a wedding?” Agatha, caught off guard by these direct questions, replied evasively. “Well,” Katya continued with a forced smile, “Ivan and I have decided he’ll no longer support you financially. Our family is big, and you’re an adult who’s working now. It’s time for you to stand on your own two feet.” “Katya, that’s not quite what we discussed—” Ivan interjected, but Katya shouted over him, “You treat Agatha like a cash machine! We can’t be left wanting because of her!” Feeling unwell, Agatha excused herself and stepped out, the birthday now ruined. Rita followed, smirking, “Don’t mind my mum, she’s just moody because she’s pregnant. But you wait, you’ll see what she’s really like.” Agatha ignored her and left. A few days later, Ivan and Katya visited Agatha’s home. Katya looked around approvingly: “It’s a fine house, not many like this in the village.” “My father built it himself with Uncle Nick,” Agatha replied. “Katya’s found a buyer for the house,” Ivan began hesitantly, unable to meet his daughter’s eye. “There’s another baby on the way—selling would help us all…” Agatha cut him off: “I won’t sell my share. This is where Mum lived; I grew up here—this house matters to me.” Katya, furious, lashed out, “When will you understand? Ivan has a new family! You’re occupying too much space—you’ll need to move on whether you like it or not.” Agatha asked them to leave. That evening, when her boyfriend Artem, a local police officer, visited, Agatha broke down in his arms and told him everything. Artem reassured her: “Ivan’s a good man—he can’t go against you, it’s Katya twisting his arm. Let me involve some legal friends from town. Don’t agree to anything you don’t want.” Later, Ivan overheard Katya on the phone—she was plotting with someone about the sale of the house, her words laced with malice: “If she won’t agree, we’ll handle it ourselves—I’ll sort him out too if need be…” One night soon after, Agatha was walking home when a car stopped beside her. A burly man bundled her inside. “Do everything we say and nothing will happen to you or your father. Tomorrow you’ll sign the papers—the buyers are waiting.” When Agatha refused, she was struck and threatened again. But Artem had asked a friend to look out for her and, seeing her taken, the friend alerted him. The police gave chase, and the kidnappers were caught—the burly man turned out to be Katya’s lover, whose child she was carrying. Together, they had plotted to take Ivan’s house, removing Agatha as the last obstacle. Time passed. The ordeal over, Ivan divorced Katya, returned home, and rebuilt his life. Now his house, once threatened, was more precious than ever. At dinner, Agatha joked, “Don’t worry, Dad, you’ll never be alone.” Artem grinned, “I’ve proposed, and Agatha’s said yes. We’ve filed the paperwork—wedding’s soon!” “And even once I move in with Artem, we’ll visit all the time—we’ll never be far away.” Ivan, tearful but happy, glanced at his late wife’s portrait. “Forgive me for all my mistakes. But everything’s alright now—maybe even better than before.” Thank you for reading, subscribing, and for your support. Wishing you all the best in life!

There Are No Coincidences

It had been nearly four years since Janes mother passed away, but the memories of that agonising sorrow and unbearable longing still clung to her heart. She remembered the evening after the funeral most clearly. Her father sat, shattered and silent with grief, while Jane, her tears long spent, could only sit quietly. In the large, sturdy house they called home, silence held them in a tight grip.

Jane was sixteen, old enough to understand how hard things had become for both her and her dad. Once, the three of them had been happy together. Her father, David, gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders and quietly said:

Well have to find a way to carry on, my dear. We must get used to the way things are now

Time passed. Jane trained to become a medical assistant and recently started working at the village surgery. She lived alone in the old house, as her father had remarried the year before and moved to a nearby village with his new wife. Jane didnt feel any bitterness towards him, nor did she judgelife was what it was, and she knew she too would settle down one day. Her father was still young and deserved happiness.

Dressed smartly in a new dress and shoes, Jane stepped off the bustoday was her fathers birthday, the only close relative she still had.

Hello, Dad! Jane beamed as her father greeted her at the gate, embracing warmly before she handed him his present. Happy birthday!

Hello, sweetheart. Come on inthe tables already set, David replied, ushering her inside.

Jane, finally! called out Karen from the kitchenher stepmother now, The kids are starving!

David had been living with his new family for a year. Karen had a daughter, Emily, thirteen, who was mischievous and a bit sharp-tongued, and a ten-year-old son as well. Jane barely visited, only this being her second time in a year, and tried to ignore Emilys barbsher mother never seemed to mind her rudeness.

Once they finished the birthday wishes, Karen began her round of questions.

Do you have a boyfriend?

Yes, I do.

Are you two planning to get married soon?

Jane, caught off guard by Karens bluntness, blushed a little.

Well, well see, she answered, not wanting to give away too much.

Its just that, Jane, Karen forced a smile, your dad and I have decided he wont be supporting you financially anymore. Hes been giving you more than enough, and now theres a whole family to think about. Time you found a husband to take care of you. Your father has a new family, and we need to come first now. Youre an adult, and youve got a job

Karen, hang on, David interrupted her. Thats not what we discussed. Ive already told you I send Jane less money than you think

But Karen wouldnt have it.

You treat her like a cash machine while the rest of us go without! she snapped.

David fell silent, clearly embarrassed. Jane felt awful and excused herself from the table, slipping out into the garden to sit on the old bench and gather her thoughts. The birthday was ruined.

Emily soon followed and plopped down beside her.

Youre very pretty, you know, Emily said. Jane only nodded, not wanting to chat. Dont mind Mum, shes just nervous cause shes pregnant, Emily said with a sly smile. You havent seen the half of it yet. Just wait, she giggled before dashing back indoors.

Jane stood and slipped out of the garden, glancing back to see her father standing on the porch, watching her leave.

Three days later, unexpectedly, David and Karen visited Jane at her house.

What a surprise! Let me put on some tea, Jane offered.

Karen walked through the house, eyeing everything.

Solid house. You don’t find many like this in the village.

Dad built it himself, didnt you, Dad? With Uncle Colins help, Jane said.

Oh, come off it, love. I just did what I could, David brushed it off.

Well, I consider myself lucky to have you, said Karen. Actually, we’re here to talk about the house.

Jane immediately knew something was up.

I wont sell my share, she declared. I grew up here; it means too much to me. She fixed a defiant gaze on Karen and her father.

My, arent you quick and clever? Karen sneered, her irritation plain. David, why are you just standing there?

We need to sort this, David said, not meeting Janes eyes. Theres a new baby on the way, the house is cramped, and the familys growing. If we sell this, you could get a smaller place of your own. If you need help, Ill help with the mortgage.

Dad, are you serious? Jane could hardly believe her ears.

Your father has a new family now, Karen snapped. When will you get that through your head? Theres no your house anymore. You live by yourself in all this space. Time you move out, and nobodys going to ask your permission.

Dont you shout at me, Jane stood, voice trembling. And Id like you both to leave.

As they left, Janes heart ached. Of course her father deserved to find happiness again, but not at her expense. Shed never sell the home where her mothers memory lingered.

Later, her boyfriend Callum arrived. He was taken aback at how upset Jane looked.

Blimey, Jane, you look dreadful! What happened?

She broke down in his arms, finally able to let out all her pent-up hurt. He listened patiently as she spilled everything. Callum, who worked with the local police, managed to keep calm and comforting.

Your dads a good man, Jane. He wouldnt truly go behind your back. Karens got him wrapped round her little finger, thats the trouble. Give it time. Ill talk to the solicitors in town and see what rights you have. Dont agree to anything.

Back home, David paced restlessly. Things had been rosy at first with Karen, but lately shed turned bitter, demanding more money and fixated on selling the house. David started to wonder if hed made a mistake. Then came news of the pregnancy.

Meanwhile, Jane was working lateautumns evenings already growing cold. Callum, busy with a sudden call at the station, couldnt meet her as he had promised. Nearing her house, Jane saw a car pull up. A stranger, large and menacing, got out and forced her inside the vehicle, which sped away.

Who are you? What do you want with me? Jane gasped, her voice shaky.

There are no coincidences in our business, the man replied calmly. Do what we say and neither you nor your father will get hurt.

Whats my dad got to do with this?

Youll sign the papers for the house. The buyers are ready, and youll get your money in a couple of days. Then youll leave.

Thats criminal! Im not signing a thing. I’m going to the police. I wont sell! Jane protestedonly to receive a sharp blow to her chin.

Were not scared of the police, or your boyfriend, the man sneered. If you refuse, youll be sorryand so will he.

Soon the car pulled over on the village edge, and a torch was shone on some documents.

Sign quickly, try not to get blood on them. These go to the solicitor first thing tomorrow.

Then, out of nowhere, blue lights flooded the nighta police car appeared behind them, then another. The driver panicked, slammed the accelerator, and careered straight into the ditch.

As it turned out, Callum had asked a friend to keep an eye on Jane whenever she finished work late. His friend, Max, saw the abduction and quickly rang Callum, who called for backupthe police arrived just in time.

It later emerged that Janes kidnapper was actually Karens secret loverand the father of her unborn child. Their plan had been to get Jane out of the picture and sell the house, splitting the profits. Afterward, Karen would deal with David too.

Time passed, and everything settled back where it belonged. David divorced Karen and moved back home, carrying on his small car parts business. One evening at supper, Jane, David, and Callum sat together, laughter echoing in the old kitchen. To David, the house and its memories felt more precious than ever.

Dont worry, Dadyoull never be alone, Jane said, her voice bright.

Look at youare you getting married? David teased.

I proposed to Jane, and she said yes, Callum replied, winking at her. Weve put in the paperworkweddings soon. The young couple grinned.

Yes, Dadeven after I marry Callum, well always be nearby. Well visit all the time.

Oh, darling, forgive me. I made such a mess of things, David said, looking at the photograph of his late wife with tears in his eyes.

Its all right, Dad. Everything’s going to be just fine. In fact, itll be even better from now on.

And so, Jane learnt that even when life feels unfair and uncertain, staying true to your values and holding onto what matters will always lead you back to where you belong. Sometimes, what seems like the end is just the start of a brighter chapter.