One Last Chance

The Last Chance

Emily lay curled up on the sofa, clutching her stomach. Everything ached, throbbed, and reminded her of what was coming. The same thing every time: sharp pain, then bleeding, an ambulance ride, the hospital, and that hollow emptiness inside. It was another miscarriageno doubt about it. The third in two years, after a silent pregnancy before that, and an abortion even earlier. That abortion, the one she was still paying for with this endless cycle of loss.

She reached for her phone and dialled emergency services. Half an hour later, as they loaded her into the ambulance, she called Thomas to let him know she wouldnt be home for dinner.

Again? he asked, but Emily didnt bother replying. Tears streamed down her cheeksdespair, frustration, disappointment in herself. How many times could this happen? Was there something shed done? If only she hadnt gone to that dodgy clinic all those years ago, maybe everything would have been fine. She and Thomas couldve had a five-year-old by now. But there was no child. And now, it seemed, there never would be.

It hurts so much, she managed to say. The doctor barely glanced at her, just adjusted the IV drip with practised indifference.

Two days in hospital dragged by like an eternity. Then came the discharge, Thomas waiting with a bouquet of rosesthe same script, every time.

You look so pale, he said. Emily just gave him a weak smile. There was nothing to celebrate. She couldnt give him a child. That much was painfully obvious.

On the drive home, fiddling with the roses in her lap, she turned to Thomas and said, I dont want to try anymore. I cant do this.

Dont say that. Itll happen, he insisted, but she just scoffed.

Do you even believe that? Five years wasted. Im nearly thirty, youre nearly thirty-five. Enough pretending. The doctors say theres no chancemaybe its time we listened.

Em, well have children, Thomas countered. Remember what Professor Whitmore said? Theres still a chance if we follow his advice.

And where is your precious professor now? Emily snapped. Gone. And so is his advice. Done. I wont put you through this anymore.

What are you saying? Thomas frowned, keeping his eyes on the road.

She took a deep breath and looked away. We should split up. You could meet someone else, have a child. You deserve that. I dont deserve your patience, your kindness. Im empty. I cant hold onto life. Im worthless.

Her voice cracked. Thomas took her hand, pressed it to his lips. Dont talk rubbish. Well manage. Plenty of people live happily without kids. We can too.

Or in their quantity, she muttered through tears. Enough, Tom. I wont rob you of fatherhood.

You wont rob me of happiness, he corrected.

That was Thomashopelessly in love, enduring every mood, every heartbreak, just to keep her by his side. Hed fought for her, chased away every rival, and once she was his, hed decided nothing else could make him happier. Well, maybe a tiny bundle of joybut fate seemed determined to deny them that.

He knew Emilys past. The first marriage, forced by her controlling father to some older man she never loved. The botched abortion that followed. The years of guilt, the damage it left. Now, here they were. No changing it. Emily had cut ties with her father years ago, barely even knew her younger sister anymore.

Wouldnt surprise me if Dads already bullied her into marrying some absolute nightmare for his own gain.

Her sister, Charlotte, was twenty-twobright, beautiful, just like Emily, but still under their fathers thumb. Hed raised them alone, ex-wives barred from their lives by his decree. He pulled their strings like a puppeteer, dictating every choice.

Emily had escaped at twenty-four, met Thomas, and never looked back. So when Charlotte showed up at her doorstep one day, Emily was stunned.

Whats wrong? she asked immediatelyonly then noticing the swell of Charlottes belly.

I ran away, Charlotte sobbed, throwing herself into Emilys arms. It had only been a week since the hospital. Emily had just started to calm downand now this.

What did he want? Emily asked.

Hehe wanted me to get rid of it.

Oh my God, youre pregnant! Emily gasped, finally taking in her sisters changed figure. With who?

Doesnt matter. It was love. But hes married. Doesnt want the baby. Dad said either I lose it, or hed make me.

Emily cried with her. Charlotte was so fragile, so lost. Five years apart, and the awkward duckling had turned into a swanbut still under their fathers control. Emily knew shed try to go back. She couldnt let that happen.

Thomas took Charlottes arrival in stride. He never argued with Emilys choicesloved her too much to contradict her. And she never took advantage.

Sure enough, after a week, Charlotte fretted. I cant just disappear like this. Hell be furious.

Youre not going back! Emily grabbed her hands. Do you want him hurting you? Hurting the baby? Think about your son!

Its too late for an abortion now, Charlotte said firmly. No doctor would touch me at twenty-one weeks.

But they could induce labour! Emily shot back. You wouldnt even know. Hed slip something in your tea, and God, Charlotte, I know what thats like. You dont.

She broke down, and her tears convinced Charlotte to stay. But guilt still gnawed at hershe missed their father, cursed herself for leaving.

Charlotte gave birth in Julyand immediately packed her bags. Emily scooped up the baby, held him tight. I wont let you take him back to that monster! You want Dad turning him into another tyrant? Go if you mustbut Oliver stays with me.

Charlotte shrugged. Fine. Dad only wanted me back, not the baby. And youre dead to him anyway. Keep the screaming brat.

Emily knew it was postpartum talking. In a month, Charlotte would come to her senses. But for now, she relished holding that tiny, wriggling bundle, breathing in his scent, listening to his gurgles.

You know shell want him back, Thomas said gently.

I know, Emily whispered, heart breaking. On paper, three-month-old Oliver wasnt hers. No guarantee his father wouldnt come for him.

Then the call came. Her father, screaming down the phone, threatening violence if she didnt return his grandson. Emily listened, ice in her veins, waiting for the day hed show up. She wanted to grab Oliver, bolt, disappearbut Thomas wouldnt let her. Hed protect her, no matter what.

Thendisaster. Charlotte and their father died in a car crash. Oliver was Emilys now. She fought through paperwork, legal battles, securing custody. No one else wanted him. And suddenly, she had a child. Her last chance. Thomas didnt object. What choice did they have?

Amid the chaos, Emily forgot her regular check-up. The doctor scolded her, then paused. Waitany chance youve missed a period?

Emily shrugged. Probably. Stress, you know.

Stress? Take a test!

The ultrasound confirmed ita pregnancy, already twelve weeks along.

Youve never made it this far, the doctor said. Good sign. Bed rest, now.

I cant! I have a baby at home.

You have a baby inside you. Let your husband handle one while you grow the other. Look at the screenthats a healthy little one in there. They deserve a chance.

Emily agreed. Two months later, she left the hospital, pregnancy intact, hope renewed. Thomas waited as alwaysroses in hand, pram by his side. Little Oliver squealed when he saw her. Emily smiled, resting a hand on her belly, hugging Thomas close. Inside, her daughter kickeddue in a few months. The last chance. The happy ending. The dream shed almost given up on.