**Only My Fate**
«Mum, what are you doing here?» Emily gasped, spotting her mother in the maternity clinic.
«Oh, Em, do you have an appointment today too? I thought you said nothing yesterday…» Sarah lowered her eyes, embarrassed.
«Mum, this is for pregnant women. Why are you here?» Emilys hand rested on her rounded belly.
«Emily, Ive been meaning to tell you…» Sarah hesitated, glancing around. «Well, Im expecting a baby too.»
…Sarah had Emily at eighteen. The girls father showed no interest, paying minimal child support only after court orders.
But Sarah adored her daughter. She worked two jobs, sewing late into the night. Friends shook their heads. «Why push yourself so hard? Youll ruin your youth!» But Sarah wouldnt listen. Her girl would want for nothingthe finest chocolates, stylish coats, expensive dolls. She denied herself everything, yet Emily never felt deprived.
Emily grew accustomed to the best. She never counted penniesif she wanted something, she bought it, even managing a seaside trip with her class. When university applications came, she chose the most prestigious one, enrolling in the paid programme. Sarah didnt argue.
In her third year, Emily met James. Older, nearing graduation, he struck Sarah as dependablea man with his head on straight. She was relievedher daughter would have a steady husband, a rock. Even if Emily became pregnant, she wouldnt be alone.
And so it happened. Emily fell pregnant. James proposed immediately, and they held a grand wedding. His parents covered half the costs; Sarah paid the rest, even gifting them a holiday to Cornwall.
«James, lets go for a walk,» Emily suggested.
«Sure. Lovely weather, and that new cafés just opened. Well grab a bite,» he smiled, gently touching her belly.
They strolled through the park, fed the pigeons, then stopped at the café. The moment they sat, Emily paled.
«Whats wrong?» James frowned.
«Mum…» she muttered.
Two tables away sat Sarah with an unfamiliar man.
«Oh, right!» James turned.
Sarah noticed them and smiled awkwardly.
«Lets say hello. Whos that with her?» James started to rise.
«No. I dont even want to look!» Emily shot up and rushed outside.
James paid and caught up. On the pavement, Emily was already confronting her mother:
«Who is he?! Have you forgotten youre about to be a grandmother?»
«Emily, youre grown. I raised youdont I deserve my own life?»
James tactfully interrupted. «Everything alright, Sarah?»
«James, its fine…»
«Lets go!» Emily seized his arm and nearly ran.
Emily had always assumed her mother belonged solely to her. The idea of Sarah having a man was unthinkable. And truthfully, Sarah hadnt datedfearing her daughters reaction.
Until two years ago, when her boss, Richard, began pursuing her. Shed liked him for years but never acted. When he showed interest, she gave in.
They started dating. Richard even asked her to move in. Sarah hesitated but eventually agreed. Yet how to tell Emily? Then this disastrous encounter…
Later, Sarah discovered she was pregnant. At forty-threelate, yes. But abortion wasnt an option. Richard was overjoyedchildless, he now had a son or daughter on the way.
After the café, Emily stopped answering calls. Sarah relied on James for updates. Then another shockthe clinic meeting. After that, Emily cut contact entirely, blocking her number, ignoring messages.
Sarah learned of her granddaughters birth from James.
«A girl, 21 inches, 7 pounds!» he announced cheerfully.
«Congratulations! Can we visit? Id love to see her,» Sarah whispered, tears welling.
«Ill try to persuade Emily…»
But she refused outright. Sarah worried, though doctors warned herat six months, stress was dangerous.
Four months later, she had a girl. She texted Emily: *You have a sister now.* Silence. Only James sent flowers and called.
Years passed. The girls grew. Emily and James named theirs Sophie. Sarah and Richard chose Anna, after her grandmother. James occasionally sent photos: *First tooth!* or *Shes walking!* Sarah hoped Emily might soften by Sophies first school year. But she held firmas if she had any reason to resent them.
On Sophies seventh birthday, Sarah called James.
«Bring Sophie to visit. Wed love to see you.»
«Ill try…»
That evening, James relayed the invitation.
«No,» Emily snapped.
«But shes your motherand Sophies sister,» he reasoned.
«She betrayed me. And I dont want to see that girl.»
They lived parallel livesSarah and Richard in a countryside cottage, Emily and James in the suburbs. Sometimes, mutual friends shared updates: *Sarah was hospitalised*, *Annas fever spiked*. Deep down, Emily longed to visit, to hug her mother like before. But jealousy and anger won.
«James, we still need hair ribbons and indoor shoes for Sophie,» Emily said over dinner.
«Plenty of time. Hard to believe shes seven already…»
«Mum, can I skip ballet today?» Sophie burst into the kitchen.
«No! We moved house just for that school!» Emily said sternly.
Like Sarah once had, she gave her daughter the very best.
First of September. James took leave to walk Sophie to Year Onea prestigious bilingual school, far but worth it.
The bell rang. Speeches, greetings…
«Class 1A!» the teacher called.
«Thats us!» Emily whispered, guiding Sophie forward.
Then, in the crowd, she saw her mother. Their eyes met.
Emily broke. She ran to Sarah, tears shed held back for years finally spilling. Sarah hugged her tightly, just as she had in childhood, and in that moment, every grudge melted awayas if it had never existed.
