**Diary Entry A Twist of Fate**
In sheer desperation, I agreed to marry the wealthy mans son who couldnt walk And a month later, I noticed something unexpected.
You must be joking, Emily said, staring at William Harrington with wide eyes.
He shook his head.
No, Im not. But Ill give you time to think. This isnt a conventional proposal, and I know what you must be feeling. Weigh it carefullyIll return in a week.
I watched him leave, stunned. His words wouldnt settle in my mind.
Id known William for three years. He owned a chain of petrol stations and other businesses. I worked part-time as a cleaner at one of them. He was always kind to the staff, warm in his manner. A decent man, by all accounts.
The pay was fair, so there was never a shortage of applicants. Two months ago, as I sat outside after my shift, he appeared.
Mind if I join you?
I stood abruptly.
Of coursewhy even ask?
No need to jump up. SitI dont bite. Lovely day, isnt it?
I smiled and relaxed.
Spring always feels like a fresh start.
After winter, anything seems brighter, he chuckled.
Quite right.
Tell mewhy stay as a cleaner? Margaret offered you a cashier position, didnt she? Better pay, easier hours.
Id take it in a heartbeat, but my little girlSophieshe falls ill often. When shes well, the neighbour watches her. But when shes poorly, I have to be there. Margaret and I swap shifts when needed. Shes been a godsend.
I see Whats wrong with Sophie?
The doctors cant pinpoint it. She has these awful episodesstruggles to breathe, panics. The proper tests are private, and they say we should wait, that she might outgrow it. But how can I just wait?
Hang in there. Itll sort itself out.
That evening, I found out William had given me an unexpected bonusno explanation, just an envelope in my hands.
I didnt see him again until today, when he turned up at my doorstep. My heart nearly stopped when I recognised him. And his proposal made it worse.
William had a sonOliver, nearly thirty. Seven of those years had been spent in a wheelchair after an accident. The doctors had done their best, but he never walked again. Depression took holdsilent, withdrawn, barely speaking even to his father.
So William had an idea: marry him off. Properly. Give him a reason to live again. He wasnt sure it would work, but he was willing to try. And for some reason, he thought I was the one.
Emily, youll want for nothing. Sophie will have every test, every treatment. Im proposing a one-year arrangement. After that, you leaveno matter what. If Oliver improvesbrilliant. If not, youll be generously compensated.
I was speechlessoutraged.
As if reading my mind, William said softly, Emily, please. Help me. Its mutually beneficial. I doubt Oliver would even touch you. Youll have security, respect. Think of it as a marriage of convenience. Justdont breathe a word of this to anyone.
Wait Does Oliver even agree?
William sighed.
He says he doesnt care. Ill tell him its for the business, for my health He trusts me. This is a white lie for his own good.
After he left, I sat numb, indignation simmering. But his blunt honesty dulled the shock slightly.
And when I thought of Sophie what wouldnt I do for her?
Anything.
And William? He was just a father, like me. Loving his child.
Before my shift ended, the phone rang.
Emily, hurry! Sophies having an attacka bad one!
Im coming! Call an ambulance!
I arrived as the ambulance pulled up.
Where were you? the doctor asked sharply.
At work
This episode was worse than ever.
Should we go to the hospital? I asked weakly.
The new doctor shook his head.
They wont help here. You need Londonspecialists, proper tests.
Once they left, I called William.
I agree. Sophie just had another episode.
The next day, we left. William arrived with a clean-shaven assistant.
Emily, just bring essentials. Well replace everything else.
Sophie stared at the sleek car in awe.
William crouched beside her.
Like it?
Yes!
Fancy sitting up front? Best view.
She looked at me.
But the police I started.
William laughed, opening the door.
Hop in, Sophie! If anyone tries to fine us, well fine them back!
The closer we got to the house, the more my nerves twisted.
*What have I done? What if hes cruel, unstable?*
William noticed.
Emily, relax. The weddings not for a week. You can back out anytime. Oliver hes a good man. Broken, but good.
When we arrived, I froze. It wasnt a houseit was a manor. Sophie squealed.
Mum, are we living in a storybook now?
William laughed, scooping her up.
Do you like it?
Yes!
Before the wedding, Oliver and I barely spokejust shared quiet dinners. He hardly ate, barely engaged. Handsome, but pale, like hed forgotten the sun existed. I sensed his pain mirrored mine. I was grateful he never mentioned the arrangement.
On the wedding day, chaos swarmed around me. The dress arrived last-minute. When I saw it, I nearly collapsed.
How much did this cost?
William smiled.
Best not to dwell on it. Lookheres something else.
He produced a tiny replica of my dress.
Sophie, shall we try it?
Her squeal was deafening. As she twirled, I turnedand saw Oliver in the doorway, watching her. For the first time, there was something like a smile in his eyes.
Sophie now slept in the room next to ours. *Our* bedroom. A week ago, I couldnt have imagined this.
William suggested a honeymoon in the countryside, but Oliver refused.
Well stay home.
The bed was enormous. Oliver kept his distance. Id planned to stay awake all nightbut exhaustion claimed me.
A week passed. We began talking in the evenings. Oliver was sharp, witty, well-read. He made no advances. Slowly, I relaxed.
One night, I jolted awakeheart pounding.
*Somethings wrong.*
I rushed to Sophies roomanother attack.
Oliver, help! Call an ambulance!
He was there instantly. Soon, William burst in, phone in hand.
Im calling Dr. Bennett.
The private ambulance arrived swiftlymodern equipment, crisp uniforms. After the episode passed, they conferred. I sat with Sophie. Oliver held her hand.
Emily, he murmured, has she always had these?
Yes Hospitals, testsnothing helped. Thats why her father left. Said I was holding him back.
Did you love him?
Once. Feels like another life.
So you agreed to Fathers offer
I blinked.
Oliver smiled.
He thinks I dont know. But Ive always seen through him. I feared who hed choose. Then I saw younot the type to do this for money. Now it makes sense.
He met my eyes.
Dont cry. Well fix Sophie. Shes stronger than I was.
Why did you give up? Youre brilliant, kind
Be honestwould you have married me if things were different?
I thought, then nodded.
Yes. Youre better than most heroes out there. But its not just that. I cant explain.
He smiled.
You dont have to. I believe you.
Days later, I caught Oliver using a strange contraption.
A trainer, he explained. Post-accident, I was meant to use it daily. I gave up. Now Im ashamed. In front of Sophie. In front of you.
William entered, then froze.
May I?
Come in, Father.
His eyes flicked to the machine, then to me.
Tell me was Sophies birth difficult?
Yeswhy?
Dr. Bennett thinks they pulled her out too sharplydamaged the temporal bone. Its pressing on a nerve.
I sank into a chair.
What do we do?
Tears fell.
Dont fret, William said. She needs surgery. Theyll remove the pressure. Shell be fine.
But her
