**Just My Fate**
* Mum, what are you doing here?* Emily gasped, spotting her mother in the maternity clinic waiting room.
* Oh, sweetheart! I didnt know you had an appointment today. You didnt tell me* Sarah lowered her eyes, flustered.
* Mum, this is for pregnant women. Why are you here?* Emily rested a hand on her swollen belly.
* Em, I was going to tell you* Sarah hesitated, searching for the right words. * Well, Im expecting too.*
Sarah had Emily at eighteen. The girls father showed no interest, paying meagre child support only after court orders. But Sarah adored her daughter. She worked two jobs, sewing late into the night. Friends would shake their heads. *”Why work yourself to the bone? Youre wasting your youth!”* But Sarah didnt listen. She wanted her girl to have everythingthe finest chocolates, the trendiest coats, expensive dolls. She denied herself every comfort, but Emily never felt deprived.
Emily grew up accustomed to the best. Money meant little to herif she wanted something, she bought it. She even went on a class trip to the seaside. When university applications came, she chose the most prestigious institution, despite the tuition. Sarah didnt argue.
In her third year, Emily met James. Older, nearly graduated, he struck Sarah as dependablea man with his head on straight. She was relieved: her daughter would have a steady husband, a support. If Emily had a child, she wouldnt be alone.
And so it happened. Emily fell pregnant. James proposed immediately, and they had a lavish weddinghalf the cost covered by his parents, half by Sarah, who even gifted them a holiday in Brighton.
* James, lets go for a walk,* Emily suggested one afternoon.
* Good idea. Lovely weather, and theres that new café nearby. Well grab a bite,* he smiled, stroking her bump.
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, look!* James turned.
Sarah noticed them and offered an awkward smile.
* Lets say hello. Whos that with her?* James began to rise.
* No. I dont even want to look at her!* Emily stood abruptly and stormed out.
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 intervened gently. * Everything alright, Mrs. Thompson?*
* Yes, James, its fine*
* Lets go!* Emily seized her husbands arm and nearly ran.
Emily had always assumed her mother belonged solely to her. The idea of Sarah with a man was unthinkable. And truthfully, Sarah had never datedfearful of her daughters reaction.
Until two years ago, when her boss, Edward, began pursuing her. Sarah had fancied him for ages but never acted. When he showed interest, she caved.
They started seeing each other. Edward even asked her to move in. Sarah hesitated but eventually agreedonly she couldnt bring herself to tell Emily. Then came that disastrous encounter at the café
Then Sarah discovered she was pregnant. At forty-threelate, certainly. But abortion was unthinkable. Edward was overjoyed; hed never had children.
After the café, Emily stopped answering calls. Sarah relied on James for updates. Then, another shock: their clinic run-in. After that, Emily cut contact entirelyblocked her number, ignored messages.
She learned of her granddaughters birth from James.
* A girl, 53 cm, 7 lbs!* he announced cheerfully.
* Congratulations! Can we visit? Id love to see her,* Sarah whispered, near tears.
* Ill try to persuade Emily*
But she refused outright. Sarah agonised, though doctors warned herat six months pregnantto avoid stress.
Four months later, she had a daughter. She texted Emily: *You have a sister.* Silence. Only James sent flowers and called.
Years passed. The girls grew. Emily and James named theirs Charlotte. Sarah and Edward chose Amelia, after Sarahs mother. James occasionally sent photos*First tooth!* or *Shes walking!* Sarah hoped Emily would soften by Charlottes first day of school. But she held firmas if there were anything to resent.
On Charlottes seventh birthday, Sarah called James.
* Bring Charlotte to visit. Wed love to see her.*
* Ill try*
That evening, James relayed the invitation.
* Were not going,* Emily said flatly.
* But shes your mother. And Amelias your sister.*
* She betrayed me. And I dont want to see that girl.*
So they livedparallel lives. Sarah and Edward in a countryside cottage, Emily and James in the suburbs. Sometimes, through mutual friends, Emily heard updates*Sarahs in hospital,* or *Amelias ill.* Deep down, she ached to reconcile, to embrace her mother as before. But jealousy and anger won.
* James, we still need hair clips and indoor shoes for Charlotte,* Emily said over dinner.
* Plenty of time. Hard to believe shes seven already*
* Mum, can I skip French today?* Charlotte burst into the kitchen.
* No! We moved house just for this school!* Emily said sternly.
Like Sarah before her, she vowed to give her daughter the best.
September arrived. James took leave to escort Charlotte to her first day at an elite bilingual school.
The bell rang. Speeches, well-wishes
* Class 1A!* the teacher announced.
* Thats us!* Emily whispered, guiding Charlotte forward.
Then, in the crowd of parents, she spotted her mother. Their eyes metjust for a second. Emily couldnt hold back. She rushed to Sarah, tears spilling at last, and Sarah held her tight, just as she had in childhood. In that moment, every grudge melted away, as if it had never been.
