See for Yourself
After the devastating loss of her husband and six-year-old daughter in a car accident, Emily was utterly broken. For almost half a year she stayed in a clinic, refusing visitors, her mother sitting patiently by her side with gentle, never-ending conversations. One day, her mother finally broached a new subject:
Em, love, your husbands business is about to go down the drain. Its barely afloatMatthew is up to his neck keeping it running. He rang me and asked me to pass on a message: something needs to be done. Were lucky Matthews as decent as they come, but
It was the first spark of life in Emily for ages.
Yes, Mum, I need to get myself together. I think David would have liked me to carry on his work. Its good he showed me the ropes and brought me into the office.
So, Emily returned to work, willed the trembling family business back onto solid ground. Work and money sorted, yesbut nothing could fill the gaping hole left by her little girl.
One evening, her mother gently suggested, Darling, why not think about adopting a little girl from one of the childrens homes? Perhaps someone whos having an even rougher time than you. Itll ease her life, andone dayyoull realise youve saved yourself, as well.
After weeks of pondering, Emily realised her mother, as always, had a point. Of course, she didnt expect any child to replace her late daughter, not really. But she visited the childrens home nonetheless.
Cassandra had been born almost completely blind. The moment her diagnosis came through, her well-educated, upper-middle-class parents turned tail and vanished, shirking all responsibility. Cowardice knows no class, apparently.
And so Cassandras story began at the nursery, named by staff who doted on her. She grew up barely able to make out the worldjust hazy shadowsbut learned to read and adored fairy tales, always believing one day her fairy godmother would sweep in.
Not long before her seventh birthday, her wish was granted: in walked Emily, beautiful, dazzling, wealthyand utterly shell-shocked. Cassandra couldnt see her properly, but sensed her kindness instantly. The headmistress seemed genuinely puzzled as to why a woman like Emily wanted a child with a disability, but Emily gave her a bland reply about money and wanting to help.
A kind matron led Cassandra into the room. One look at her, and Emily knewthis little cherub with golden curls and massive blue eyes was hers. The eyes were pure and deep, even if they saw little.
Whos this? Emily asked, transfixed.
This is our Cassiegentle, sweet, and always smiling, replied the staff member.
Shes my Cassie now, thought Emily, decision made.
Emily and Cassandra clung to each other like shipwreck survivors. With Cassie in her life, everything seemed to slot into place. Top surgeons told Emily there was a slim chance surgery could restore Cassies sight, though glasses would be a must.
She leapt at the hope. An operation was scheduled before Cassandra started school, but unfortunately, her vision barely improved. There was still another shotperhaps, when she was older. Emily doted on her daughter and kept her world spinning. The business flourished, but Emily had eyes only for Cassie.
Cassie grew up into a truly stunning young woman, all ethereal beauty. She finished university, never spoiled, always grateful, and worked for her mothers firm. Emily was ferociously protective, ever-watchful for gold-diggers hoping to swoop in for Cassies considerable inheritance.
Then, inevitably, love came calling. Emily met the young man in questionJamesfound nothing objectionable, and raised no objections to their romance. Soon enough, James popped the question. The wedding preparations rolled on, and after half a year as newlyweds, Cassie would finally be eligible for her last, most promising eye operation.
James seemed endlessly attentive and gentle, but Emily occasionally wondered if he was a touch too rehearsed. Still, she brushed off the worries. One day, Cassie and James visited a countryside venue to inspect for their reception. The place was nearly empty in the afternoon.
They settled at a table, and James plopped his phone down. Suddenly, his car alarm trilled outside. Muting a sigh, James left the restaurant. Cassie waited. James phone started ringing, insistentlytoo insistent to ignore. She answeredand received a shock.
It was James mother, Mary, her tone brisk and cold:
Darling, Ive worked out how we can be rid of that blind Cassie for good. My friend at the travel agency has held two tickets for a hiking holiday. Take your little drip to the mountains after the weddingsay its always been your dream. Get her alone on a trail. Make sure she has a little accidenttrip, fall, whatever! Afterwards, tell the police she stormed off after a row. Mourn publicly, demand a searchno one beyond Dover will bother to look too closely. I know you can act the grieving husband. If she has that surgery, everything changes, well never get rid of her. Dont let her or her mother get in the way of the inheritance, son! Now, get on with itIm hanging up.
The line clicked dead. The phone in Cassies hands felt like it was burning her.
So they want me dead, she thought in horror. James, Maryboth in on it. Only moments ago, shed been floating in bridal bliss, but now, two people shed welcomed as family were plotting her murder for money. Cassie trembled, trying to regain composure before James returned.
He strolled in, feigning casualness about the car alarm. Probably just a curious cat, he shrugged, but no scratches. Ohhang on, its my mate Tom calling. Got to take this.
He grabbed his phone with exaggerated urgency, muttered something about work, and dashed off.
Cassie watched him leave, called her mother with a shaking voice. Mum, please come to the restaurant. Urgently.
Whats wrong, love? You sound dreadful! Ill be right there.
Cassie was still in tatters when the restaurant manager came overan old acquaintance. Cassie? Are you alright? Wheres James? Arent you supposed to bewell
Its nothing, Amy, Cassie lied feebly, Mum will be here soon, just some sort of misunderstanding. James was called to work.
Let me make you some tea, you look like you need it, the manager said kindly.
Meanwhile, Emily was turning the situation over in her mind, racing through country lanes to the venue. Within twenty minutes, shed arrived and sat herself at Cassies side.
Cassie, I was worried sick on the drive over!
Mum! The dam broke, and Cassie burst into tears. They want me dead! James and Mary. I heard it. Mary called, James left his phone on the table, and I picked up before she realised. She told him to take me to the mountains and Cassie struggled to finish the sentence.
Emilys eyes narrowed into icy blue slits. Are you sure, darling?
I swear it. She had no idea I was listeningshes none the wiser. James was summoned to the office in a panic.
Emily was floored. Had they really been so blinded by charm? What to do now? As they pondered next steps, James rang back.
All sorted, Cassie? Did your mum arrive, and do you agree on the venue decorations?
Emily snatched up her daughters phone. Hello, James. Good timing. Were ever so grateful we found out about your little plan with your mother, before heading off to the mountains for a tragic accident. I hope you understand, if the police get your phone, theres not a data wiper in the country thatll hide what weve just heard.
James stammered after a long pause. It wasnt meit was Mum!
Of course. Hiding behind your mother now, are we? Goodbye, James.
The very next day, James legged it out of town, blaming Mary for the blunder and nicking her cash. He was terrified Emily and Cassie would go to the police. Mary skipped off to stay with a friend in Liverpool, for good measure.
A Shock in the Flesh
At the London Eye Hospital, Cassies final surgery went ahead. Emily was forever by her side, waiting for the moment when the doctor would remove her bandages. Dr. Ben Carter, the young, dashing surgeon, treated Cassie like royalty. Hed performed the tricky operation himself, and made no secret of his fondness for Cassie. Hed blush every time she smiledand Emily, ever the protective mother, kept one beady eye on him.
Finally, the big moment: Dr. Carter arrived with a gigantic bouquet of red roses, and whipped off the bandages. Cassie gasped, properly seeing the worldand her handsome doctorfor the very first time.
Oh, Mum, I can see! I really, truly can! she cried, tears running down her cheeks as Dr. Carter flustered about, all concern and kindness.
She would need to wear glasses forever, truebut so what? That was nothing compared to what shed gained.
Time flew by. Cassie and Dr. Carter (now just Ben, if you please) had a glorious, storybook wedding, and a year later a little girl was born, with steely-grey eyes like her father. Cassie had everythinga devoted, trustworthy husband and a future bright as a summers day. No villains in sight.
Thank you for reading, for subscribing, and for your support. Wishing you all the best that lifeand seeing things for yourselfcan bring!
