Fate Would Not Allow Deceit
Every soul has its own fatea thing so capricious it might drown a person in sorrow or lift them to such joy that breath itself becomes a marvel.
Diana was young, untested by life, yet her fate had already been written. On that bitter winters day, she stood by her grandmothers freshly dug grave, the cold earth heaped upon it, her heart hollowed by grief. Diana had been raised by her grandmother, Grace, since she was ten, her parents long lost to tragedy.
A thin snow fell, but she scarcely noticed. The few mourners trickled away from the cemetery, leaving only a handful by the graveside when her cousin, Charles, approached. They had never been closehis mother, Graces eldest, had been estranged from the family for years.
Charles leaned in, his voice low.
“You wont be staying in Grans house. Pack your things and be gone by tonight. Ive as much right to it as you. Dont even think of arguing.”
He spoke as though his word were law. Diana had no strength to protest. She had nursed Grace in her final days, watching her fade. There was nothing to say to Charleshe would cast her out regardless. Grief swallowed all else.
The wake was held in a modest café, Charles notably absent. Few attended. When Diana returned home, her bags waited by the door.
“Check if I missed anything,” Charles said coldly. “Then leave.”
With two suitcases in hand, she stepped into the street, directionless. But then her neighbour, Margaret, peered out from her gate and beckoned her inside.
“Diana, come in,” she urged. Once inside, Diana collapsed onto a chair and sobbedrage, sorrow, betrayal all pouring out. Margaret handed her a glass of water.
“Stay with us awhile. Things will seem clearer in the morning.”
Two days later, Diana returned to work at the hospital, where she served as a nurse. She had always been kind, her bright eyes full of warmth, but now they were shadowed. The staff and patients knew of her loss. Many spoke of her gentle smile, how it lifted spirits.
“Nurse Diana, just seeing you makes me forget my aches,” joked old Mr. Thompson with a chuckle. “And youve a light touch with needles. Ah, if only I were twenty again…”
She smiled faintly at such praise, grateful for the kindness. The head nurse, Evelyn Whitmore, offered her the use of a cottagea long commute, but better than nothing.
“Its only used in summer. You can stay till you sort things out. Bit chilly, but its sound.”
Diana was ready to accept when Dr. Edward approached. Handsome, newly arrived from another city, he carried himself with confidence. His offer stunned her.
“Diana, I heard about your situation. My grandmother raised me tooparents divorced, neither wanted me. I noticed you the moment I arrived. Your eyes… like a miracle in this dreary place.” He smiled, and she flushed. “Id like you to live with me.”
She stiffened. “But… what of Dr. Charlotte? Everyone says youre courting her. Youre not free to make such an offer.”
Edward laughed. “God, the rumours here. Charlotte and I studied togetherof course were friendly. Nothing more. And dont call me sirIm not your grandfather.”
Dr. Charlotte, the anaesthetist, was striking, sharp-eyed. Diana had admired her, though something in her gaze unsettled her.
She hesitated. “I cant agree so quickly. People will talk. And living alone with you…”
“I understand. But my flats largeyoull have your own room. My grandmother, Beatrice, lives with me. Shell adore you. Shes been begging me to find a wife.”
Diana relented, asking only that they claim she was hired to care for Beatrice.
Edward grinned. “Brilliant. Just what Id expect from you.”
She moved in, the staff believing the arrangement purely professional. Beatrice was everything promisedwarm, kind-hearted. When she learned Dianas plight, she wept and embraced her.
“My dear, Im so glad Edward found you. Life will right itself. Hes been too long without a wife.”
Time passed. Diana grew fond of Beatrice. Edward was often absent, their shifts clashing. When they met, hed smile, embrace her, murmuring how glad he was shed come.
One evening, Beatrice finally asked, “Diana, forgive an old womans meddlingbut why do you and Edward keep separate rooms? Young folk nowadays dont wait.”
Diana blushed. “I… I cant rush into that. I care for him, but…”
She was happy, rushing home to Beatrices company, their chats a balm.
“Im glad Edward chose you,” Beatrice said once. “This flat will be his when he marries. And youre just the wife he needsgentle, kind.”
Then came the day Edward took her aside. “Beatrice is ill. Cancer. She doesnt knowI dont want her frightened. She forgets her medicine. Please, ensure she takes it.” He pressed the pills into her hand.
That night, Diana overheard Edward on the phone, laughing cruelly.
“She believed it, Charlotte! Of course she wouldso naive. Once shes given enough pills, the old woman wont last till our wedding. Dont fret, darlingwere in separate rooms. Shes not my type.”
Horrified, Diana confronted Beatrice the next morning. There was no illnessonly greed.
When Edward returned, Beatrice handed him a sum of money. “Take it and go. I know what you planned. Leave, or Ill take Dianas recording to the authorities.”
Edward vanished, his career in ruins. Diana remained with Beatrice. And who knows? Perhaps one day, the flat will indeed be hers.
