Fate Would Not Allow Deception
Everyone has their own fate. Fate is a peculiar thingsometimes it hurls you into the deep end so fiercely you can hardly breathe. Other times, it brings such joy and happiness that it leaves you breathless in a different way.
Emily was still young and inexperienced, yet her fate had already been written. On that frosty morning, she stood by her grandmothers grave, watching as the cold earth slowly covered it. Her heart felt hollow, numb with the pain of losing the dearest person in her life. Emily had been raised by her grandmother, Margaret, since she was ten, after her parents passed away.
A light snow fell, but she barely noticed. The few acquaintances who had come to the funeral began drifting away from the cemetery. Only a handful remained when her cousin, Charles, approached. Theyd never been closehed never visited their grandmother, seeing as his mother, Margarets eldest daughter, had been estranged from her for years.
Charles leaned in and whispered coldly,
“You wont be staying in Grans house. Pack your things and leave today. Im just as much her grandchild as you are. And dont even think of arguing.”
He didnt ask for her agreementhe simply declared his decision as final. Emily didnt have the strength to resist. These past months, caring for her bedridden grandmother had drained her. There was no point in reasoning with Charleshed throw her out regardless. And right now, grief consumed her thoughts.
The wake was held in a modest pub, and Charles didnt even bother to show. Few attended. When Emily returned home, she found her bags waiting by the door.
“Check if I missed anything,” Charles said bluntly. “Then get out.”
With two suitcases in hand, she stepped out, unsure where to go. Then her neighbour, Sarah, spotted her from her garden gate and called her over.
“Emily, love, come inside,” she urged.
Once inside, Emily collapsed onto a chair, tears spilling over. Grief, anger, and hurt poured out in ragged sobs. Sarah handed her a glass of water.
“Stay with us for now. Well figure something out. You need restthings will seem clearer in the morning.”
Two days later, Emily returned to work. She was a nurse at the local hospital, working shifts. She had always been kind and warm, her bright eyes full of life and compassionbut now they were dull with sorrow.
The staff and even the patients knew about her loss. Everyone adored Emily, speaking fondly of her gentle smile, which they said could work miracles.
“Whenever I see you, love, I forget all my aches,” joked an elderly patient named George. “Youve got a light touch. If only I were fifty years younger”
She smiled faintly at such praise. She loved her job, loved helping people. The head nurse, Eleanor Whitmore, offered her a place to stay at her countryside cottage. It was a fair distance, but the bus ran regularly.
“Its only used in summer,” Eleanor explained. “You can have it till then. Its small, but warm enough in winter.”
Emily was about to accept when a young doctor, Daniel, approached. Handsome and confident, hed recently moved from another town. At thirty, he carried himself with assurance, and his proposal stunned her.
“Emily, I heard about your situation,” he said gently. “My grandmother raised me toomy parents divorced when I was young, and neither wanted me. I noticed you the moment I started here. Your eyestheyre like a bit of sunshine in this place.” She blushed as he smiled. “Truth is, I like you. Id like you to move in with me.”
Emily stiffened. “But what about Dr. Olivia? Everyone says youre together. Youre not free to”
Daniel laughed. “Oh, those rumours again. Dont believe them. Olivia and I went to uni togetherof course we talk. But were just friends, and please, drop the Dr.Im not some stiff old consultant.”
Olivia Hart, the hospitals anaesthetist, was striking and charismatic. Everyone assumed she and Daniel were involved. Emily had admired her elegance, though something about her gaze felt predatory.
She couldnt believe someone like Daniel would take interest in herlet alone invite her to live with him.
“I cant agree just like that,” she murmured. “What will people think? And living alone with youit wouldnt be proper.”
“I understand,” he said. “But my flats hugeyoull have your own room. I wont push anything. I want you to see how much I care. And I dont live alonemy grandmother, Beatrice, is with me. Shes lovely. Shell adore you. Shes been nagging me to bring a girl home.”
Emily didnt resist long. She agreed but asked,
“Lets say you hired me to look after your grandmother. Just for appearances.”
Daniel grinned. “Youre brilliant. Of course.”
She was relievedfinally, a proper place to live. And Daniel if he truly fancied her, maybe she really was born under a lucky star.
She moved in, and the hospital staff believed the cover story. Beatrice, as promised, was warm and kindhearted. Hearing Emilys troubles, she wept openly, embracing her.
“My dear, Im so glad Daniel found you. Life has a way of setting things right. Ive been after him to settle downhe needs someone like you. Sweet, caring, good-hearted.”
Weeks passed. Emily grew close to Beatrice. Daniel was often busytheir shifts rarely aligned. But when they met, hed smile, hug her, whisper how happy he was shed moved in. How he hoped their bond would deepen.
One day, Beatrice asked curiously,
“Emily, forgive an old womans pryingbut why are you two in separate rooms? Young couples usually share straight away. Daniel says youre his fiancée.”
Emily flushed. “I like him. But Im not ready for that yet.”
Life was good. She rushed home after shifts, where Beatrice waited, chatting with her like her own grandmother once had.
“Im so happy Daniel chose you,” Beatrice sighed. “I told him Id only leave him the flat if he married. Now I seeyoure exactly what he needs.”
Then one evening, Daniel took Emily for a walk and confessed,
“Grans very ill. Cancer. She doesnt knowI dont want her worrying. But she forgets her medication. I need you to ensure she takes it. She might refuse, but its serious.” His voice cracked. “I dont know how Ill live without her.”
“Of course,” Emily said softly. He pulled her close and kissed heronce, twicebefore she gently pushed him away. They were in public.
Still, something felt off. That night, restless, she decided to speak with Beatrice.
Daniel had given her the pills, which she tucked into her handbag. At home, after dinner, they retired to their rooms. Emily couldnt sleep. Why had Beatrice never mentioned being ill? Maybe Daniel was shielding her.
But Beatrice hid nothing from Emily. She adored her, thrilled they slept apartproof of Emilys decency. Shed disliked the last girl Daniel brought home.
Yet Emilys unease grew. Those pills were for terminal cases. Beatrice was active, cheerfulthey even walked in the park together. She cooked, cleaned, insisting,
“Dont fuss, dear! You work so hardlet me help.”
The next evening, Daniel was home when Emily returned from work. After dinner, they chatted before retiring. Daniel had an early shift; Emily was on nights.
Still troubled, she decided to check his notes on Beatrices condition. Approaching his slightly ajar door, she froze at his words.
He was on the phone, facing the uncurtained window, laughing. A cold, ugly sound. Instinctively, she hit record on her phone.
“Can you believe it, Liv? She bought it. Of course she didnaïve little thing. Our plans working. Once she starts dosing Gran, it wont be long. By our wedding day, the old batll be gone.” A pause. “I miss you too. Soon, love. And dont worryseparate rooms. Shes not my type.”
Emily barely stifled a gasp. Tears burned as she fled.
So that was his game. And Beatrice, blind with love for her grandson, saw nothing. He wanted Emily to do his dirty work.
The next morning, once Daniel left, Emily knocked on Beatrices door.
The old woman was no more ill than any her age. Their talk was long, tearful.
When Daniel returned, Beatrice handed him a thick envelope.
“Take this money and leave. I know what you planned. That recording goes to the police if you stay.”
Daniel vanishedfrom work, from the flat.
Emily still lives with Beatrice. And who knows? Perhaps one day, that spacious London flat will be hers.
