Back in Year 7, she warned her friends that this boy would one day be her husband.
Olivia had told her classmates back then that Ethan was hers and that when the time came, they would absolutely get married. None of her friends argued with her.
Now, her friends were almost afraid to even look at Ethan, because Olivias grandmother was rumoured to be a witch. She lived in her village, practising her dark crafts, while Olivia dabbled in the same arts in the city, visiting her grandmother from time to time.
And Ethan? Ethan barely noticed Olivia existed. He spent all his free time in the garden with Emma. Emma had been disabled since childhood and used a wheelchair.
No one knew why, but Emma had captured Ethans heart. Maybe it was her quiet kindness, but something about her enchanted him. Besides, Emma was sharp-witted, and Ethan found her fascinating. The two had spent years together, every spare moment side by side.
One day, as Ethan stepped out of his house and headed toward the garden where Emma sat, Olivia blocked his path.
“Hello, Ethan,” she said.
“Hi,” he replied, trying to sidestep her.
“Fancy a walk through town?” Olivia asked.
“Not a chance today,” Ethan answered. “Sorry.”
Olivia pressed her lips together, watching as Ethan greeted Emma, their laughter ringing out as they talked. A wave of black jealousy washed over her. She wept when no one was looking.
A year passed. Ethan now took Emma everywhereto the river, the woods, the meadows dotted with daisies. Every free moment, they spent together.
Olivia had transformed into a striking beauty, her dark hair drawing the gaze of every boy in town. Yet Ethans heart belonged only to Emma. Their love had deepened, no longer childish but real.
Then one day, as Ethan walked to see Emma, Olivia stopped him again.
“Hello, Ethan. Off to see your crippled girl again? What do you even see in her? Take me instead. Youll only be happy with me. You know Ive loved you since school.”
“I know,” Ethan said. “But I love Emma.”
“Whats so special about her, that useless cripple?”
“I dont know. But I do know shes better than you.”
“You know it wouldnt take much to make you love me,” Olivia said. “My grandmothers the most powerful. But I dont want that. I want you to love me on your own. Tell me what to do, and Ill do it.”
Ethan stopped and turned to her.
“Make Emma walk. Then Ill marry you,” he snapped.
From that day on, Olivia spent every spare moment with Emma. She arrived early and left late, leaving Ethan almost no time to see Emma himself. Emma didnt resist. She drank bitter potions, rubbed strange ointments on her legs, and pushed herself through gruelling exercises.
Watching Olivias efforts, Ethan began to realise just how deeply she loved him.
Four months passed.
One evening, Ethan walked into the garden where Olivia was tending to Emma. He noticed nearly the whole neighbourhood had gathered on their balconies, watching intently.
Olivia, gripping Emmas hands, led her step by step away from the wheelchair. Today, both girls were the happiest in the world. Exhausted but overjoyed, they collapsed onto a bench. Ethan approached, stunned.
“Ethan, can I ask you something?” Olivia said, stepping away from Emma.
He walked over.
“Is it time?” Ethan murmured, head bowed.
“Time for what?” she asked.
“The wedding,” he whispered.
Olivia laughed. “No, Ethan. I wanted to apologise for being so pushy. Magics useless against love.”
Truth was, magic couldnt change a thing unless a person truly wanted it.
Now, Emma and Olivia are the best of friends. Emma and Ethan have a daughter. Olivia has a sonby a man she claims to despise and never shows to anyone. She says hes a pilot…
