Evelyn shut down her computer and gathered her things to leave.
Ms. Spencer, theres a young woman here to see you, said Angela, her secretary. Says its a personal matter.
Let her in, Angela.
A petite, curly-haired woman in a short skirt swept into the office. Hello. My names Isla. Im here to propose a deal.
Good afternoon, Isla. A deal? Thats interestingI dont believe weve met before.
You and I, no. But I know your husband, Tom, rather well. Very well, actually. Isla sauntered over and dropped a sheet of paper on the desk. Evelyn picked it up and read.
Isla Carterpregnancy 5-6 weeks. Evelyns heart thudded. What am I looking at? Why are you showing me this?
Isnt it obvious? Im pregnant by your husband.
Evelyn stared at her, stunned, searching Islas face for some sign she might be lying.
What do you expect from mecongratulations?
No. I expect money. If Tom means anything to you at all.
For what exactly?
Ill have an abortion and disappear from Toms life. He doesnt know about the pregnancy yet; I came to you first. If you refuse, hell leave you for me. After all, you cant have children of your ownI know all about that. So, what will it be?
Evelyn tried to make sense of what shed just heard, her thoughts tangling together.
And how much do you want for your little secret?
Only £35,000. Pennies for someone like you. In exchange, you and your husband can grow old together in peace
How noble of you, Evelyn retorted, her voice edged with sarcasm. Leave your number. Ill consider it and get in touch.
Dont take too long. Dont want to miss the window.
Isla scribbled her number on a scrap of paper and sauntered out just as casually as shed entered.
Ms. Spencer, are you leaving now? Angela called out. Facilities are waiting to lock up.
Evelyn folded the note and slipped it into her bag. Yes, Im off. See you tomorrow, Angela.
She walked to her car, trembling with shock. Who was Isla, really? Could Tom have got her pregnant? When she got home, Evelyn laid the paper out on the kitchen table, studying it again as if it might reveal the truth.
Soon after, Tom arrived home, stowing his keys with a cheerful, Love, Im home! Something smells absolutely delicious!
Come and see Evelyn replied.
Tom entered, rubbing his hands together, but stopped short at the sight of Evelyn sitting rigid in her armchair, eyes fixed intently on him.
Whats wrong? Youre staring at meits a bit unnerving
Tom, do you know an Isla Carter?
She works for that firm weve partnered with. Why?
Shes pregnant. And she says its yours. Take a look.
Tom snatched up the paper, quickly scanning it. Thats impossible. Nothing happened between us, Evelyn. I swear to you.
She wants me to pay her £35,000 for an abortion. Says otherwise youll leave me for her. She claims Im barren, but shes got your child.
His face darkened with confusion. I honestly have no idea why shed say such a thing. Evie, love, I swear on my old cricket batnothing ever happened between us. Shes making it all up.
Evelyn watched him closely, searching for a lie. I tend to agreeshe wants easy money, by the looks of it.
Ill take any test you like, love. Shes spinning some daft fantasy. Youre all I need. Always.
She offered a weak smile. Fine. Lets have dinner.
The next morning Evelyn called Isla, who soon arrived, lips pursed in a sly grin.
Well, Isla. Tom is not the father of your childI trust him. You wont wring money out of me. If you want an abortion, go ahead.
Youre a strange woman, trusting him like that. Are you really so sure of yourself? Have you looked in the mirror lately? Forty is forty, no matter how well you hide it. Therell always be younger, prettier women.
Anything else?
Yes. Id like to sell you the baby. You can do whatever tests you please. Tom is definitely the fatherIm certain. Buy the baby for £35,000, and hes yours.
But you say nothing happened between you two. How is that possible?
Fine, the truth is, about a month and a half ago, there was a company do, and I met Tom there. Someone told me youre wealthy but cant have kids, not even with a surrogate. I figured hed be the perfect candidate. He didnt bite when I tried to flirt; men usually do. It stung. So, I got creative. My sisters a pharmacistshe gave me a powder, makes someone a bit dazed, forgetful. I poured it into Toms drink, lured him back to mine.
Islas eyes glittered. It worked. It was my fertile week. Now Im pregnant, and he remembers nothing. Yes, thats possible. I have proof.
She pressed play on her phonea video of Tom half-naked, vacant, unmoving.
An abortion is nothing to mestrong as an ox. But I like easy money. And you wont report me to the policea woman of your standing, far too risky for scandal. I thought youd take my offer, but if not, Im happy to have the baby and sell him to you. Ill go to every appointment, eat well, do everything by the book. £35,000, and hes yours.
Evelyn, reeling, managed, You should be in prison for thisyoure a criminal!
Needs must, Evelyn. Got debts to pay. Had a sugar daddyhe dropped dead, just my luck.
Isla picked up her bag. Think about it. Ill call you in three days.
As the door clicked shut, Evelyn poured herself a glass of water. Her temples throbbed.
That evening, she told Tom everything. He was horrified.
She drugged me? Ill destroy her in court
Tom, lets just be rational. I read online that you can do a DNA test on the foetus after seven weeks. Lets find out. And then well, weve always wished for our own child. This isnt the way we imagined, but maybe its a twist of fate.
Dont you dare pity her, Evelyn! This is mad. Tell her to get rid of it and leave us be. No way am I paying her.
He stormed from the room. Evelyns thoughts drifted to ten years ago
She and Tom had been inseparable since universitylove at first sight. Married young, they rented a tiny flat. Evelyns uncle had helped her launch her own business, and as soon as she found success, she repaid him generously. Tom opened a shop; life was good, except for the heartbreak of not having children.
One night, after dinner, they were attacked walking home. A drunken lout lunged at Tom with a knifeEvelyn leapt in front of her husband and took the blow herself. After days in hospital, the doctors saved her, but she could never have children.
Tom stood by her side, never blaming her, never wavering, always loving.
Evelyn sometimes visited St Pauls, lighting candles, praying quietly, often giving coins to the poor. Once, an old woman outside the church took her hand, Thank you, my dear. Theres sadness in you. Dont fret. You will have a childhell come to you in a most unusual way.
Evelyn smiled at the memory, but brushed it aside as a mad old womans comfort.
She pushed herself deeper into work, but love for Tom only grew stronger. And now, this
In the end, Tom did the DNA test, as did Islawith the pregnancy nine weeks along. The result: Tom was the father.
See? Told you I wasnt lying. Ready to pay for your baby now? Isla smirked.
Evelyn fixed her with a cool gaze. Its easy to find a woman wholl bear Toms child for less. But whats done is done. Well take the baby for £17,500. Thats our offer; take it or leave it. Otherwise, youll get nothing, and you should be grateful we havent reported you.
Islas eyes narrowed, but she nodded. Fine. As long as its quick.
***
Tom, its settled. Were going to have a baby.
Evie, this is madness And paying her on top of all shes done?
Maybe fate just handed us this child. We cant turn it away.
Through the pregnancy, Isla attended every check-up. She ate healthily, took every test. On a chilly afternoon, a strong, healthy boy was born.
Isla signed away all parental rights. Tom took his newborn son homethe bureaucratic nightmare was at last over. Isla vanished, money in hand; friends and family were told a surrogate had carried the child. Evelyn could only whisper, Thank you, Isla, for choosing life.
And so Alexander came home to Tom and Evelyns house.
Tom, look at your sonhe has your eyes, Evelyn said softly.
Think so? I dont know much about babies but yes, I suppose hes quite the charmer, just like his old man.
Evelyn recalled the old womans prophecy outside the church. You know, she was righta child has come to us in the most extraordinary way.
With their son cradled in their arms, the future was uncertain, but happiness filled their hearts.
The universe, it seemed, often answered prayers in the most unexpected and twisting ways.
***
A few months later, while watching the evening news, Evelyn saw a storyIsla Carter, found dead in her flat. Circumstances suspicious, investigation ongoing.
She shook her headdangerous games had dangerous ends.
