Twenty Years Ago
Nancy had been in love with Patrick in high school, but he had fallen for Emma. When Patrick confessed his feelings for Emma and ended things with Nancy, she was devastated. Fueled by jealousy and heartbreak, Nancy swore to win him back.
Ignoring her mother’s warnings, Nancy schemed to break them up. She spread rumors, orchestrated encounters, and even resorted to jealousy traps. But Patrick and Emma’s love was unshakable.
In a desperate move, Nancy lied to Patrick, telling him she was pregnant. He, being the responsible man he was, broke up with Emma and promised to care for Nancy and their supposed child.
But after months of pretending, Nancy couldn’t maintain the lie. She confessed to Patrick that the pregnancy was a mistake. By then, Emma had left town, heartbroken. Patrick stayed with Nancy, but their relationship was never the same.
Present Day
“I lied to him,” Nancy admitted to Amanda, her voice trembling. “I trapped Patrick out of spite, and it ruined everything. I thought I had buried that chapter, but now… now I see how much damage I caused.”
Amanda’s face softened. “Patrick and Emma reconnected after many years. They loved each other until the end. Emma passed away shortly after Patrick’s accident, unable to cope with the loss. That’s why I brought the baby to you—I thought she deserved a chance with someone who loved Patrick.”
Tears streamed down Nancy’s face as she looked at the baby in her arms. “I can’t undo what I did, but I can try to make things right. I’ll raise her as my own. Maybe this is the only way to honor both of them.”
Nancy took the baby home and named her Catherine. She raised her with all the love and care she could offer, determined to amend her past mistakes. As Catherine grew, Nancy promised herself she would tell her the truth when she turned 16. She braced for rejection, expecting Catherine to hate her.
But when the day came, Catherine smiled through her tears and hugged Nancy tightly. “You’re my mom. You’ve always been there for me. Nothing will ever change that.”
Nancy wept, a weight lifting from her chest. Catherine’s forgiveness was the balm she never expected. In that moment, Nancy believed Emma and Patrick had forgiven her too. Through Catherine, she had found a second chance at redemption.