Daniel sat in the dimly lit Irish pub, nursing his drink as he recounted his sorrows to his old high school friend, Alex. They had been inseparable during their teenage years, and now, years later, they found solace in their shared troubles."She's moving to Tennessee," Daniel muttered, the alcohol amplifying his despair. "Lily told me during her last visit. Emma’s leaving the country, and I can't do anything about it."Alex, who came from a wealthy political family and had been in a long-term, yet non-committal relationship with his childhood sweetheart, nodded sympathetically. "That's tough, man. But maybe it's for the best. You know how complicated things get after marriage."Daniel shook his head. "I’ve tried everything to forget her, Alex. I get drunk, sleep around, overwork, hit the gym for hours. But nothing works. Every time I close my eyes, I see her. I feel disgusted with myself for trying to replace her."He thought about Emily, the girl who had been in love with him since
Leaving Daniel behind at the airport had been one of the hardest moments of Emma’s life. She had watched him walk away, the weight of their past and the uncertainty of the future hanging heavy in the air. As she walked back to her cab, tears had blurred her vision, and she had struggled to hold herself together. The cab ride back to her temporary apartment had been a blur of conflicting emotions—grief, anger, and a deep, aching loneliness.The days that followed were a whirlwind of new beginnings. Emma had been fortunate to start her role as a resident in internal medicine at St. Vincent Hospital in Nashville. Thanks to a new law in Tennessee, international medical graduates like herself could begin directly as residents rather than starting from the bottom of the medical hierarchy. This law was a recent change that allowed her to bypass the traditional residency program after a two-year trial period, during which her performance would determine her future in the state’s medical field
Emma stepped off the plane and took a deep breath, savoring the familiar air of Istanbul. The month she had spent in the USA had been both exhilarating and exhausting, as she had navigated her new role as a resident in internal medicine at St. Vincent Hospital and found a good preschool for Lily. The transition had been challenging, but she was now settled into her new life, with her work and her daughter’s future in Tennessee carefully arranged.As she walked through the airport, her heart was heavy with anticipation. She had decided it was time to reach out to Daniel, hoping to find a way to discuss Lily’s future. She dialed his number, her fingers trembling slightly as she held the phone to her ear. The line rang once, twice, and then Daniel’s voice came through, a mixture of surprise and joy.“Emma? Is that you?”His voice, filled with a warmth that Emma had missed, made her heart ache. “Yes, it’s me. I’m back in Istanbul. I’d like to meet you if you’re free.”Daniel paused for a
Daniel’s POV I paced around my apartment, my thoughts in turmoil after Emma’s revelation. She had come back only to take Lily away, and the loneliness gnawed at me. I had spoken to Emma, my once best friend and lover, but her mind was set on forging separate paths. I was sick of hearing it, angry at her for wanting to take Lily. She didn’t have the right. She belonged to me. And so did Lily. Somehow, I found myself standing in front of Emma’s parents’ house. I knocked, my heart pounding in my chest. The door opened, and Emma’s mother, Karen, appeared, surprise evident on her face. “It’s not your typical day to come see Lily. What are you doing here?” she asked. “Did you know Emma is taking Lily with her?” I demanded, my voice tight with anger. Karen looked at me calmly. “What’s so unusual about that? She is her mother, and Lily is supposed to be raised by her. I’m proud of Emma for her decision.” I clenched my fists, frustration boiling over. “Why are you so against me? You
After the emotionally charged conversation with Daniel, Emma knew she had to focus on creating a stable life for herself and Lily in Tennessee. The thought of Daniel's impending move to the USA, while daunting, gave her a glimmer of hope that he would still be a part of Lily's life. Determined not to lose his daughter, Daniel began making preparations to move his work to the USA. As a portfolio manager, he sought opportunities in the financial sector connected to the healthcare industry. Through his network, Daniel discovered a position as a Financial Analyst at a prominent hospital in Nashville. His role would involve managing the hospital’s investment portfolio, optimizing financial strategies, and ensuring the institution's fiscal health. The job allowed him to leverage his expertise while being close to Emma and Lily. Emma returned to Tennessee with Lily, and they both began adjusting to their new life. The transition was challenging but ultimately rewarding. Lily adapted quick
Emma walked into the expensive café that Michael had picked for their lunch break, feeling a bit out of place among the elegant décor and sophisticated clientele. She spotted Michael at a corner table, looking effortlessly at ease. He stood up and smiled warmly as she approached."Emma, glad you could make it," he said, pulling out a chair for her."Thanks, Michael. This place is... fancy," she replied, taking her seat and glancing around.Michael chuckled. "I thought it would be nice to have a change of scenery. Besides, the food here is fantastic."As they settled into their seats and placed their orders, Michael began to share more about himself. "I chose to be a neurosurgeon because of a personal experience. A friend of mine was diagnosed with an oligodendroglioma, a rare type of brain tumor with a very low survival rate. It was devastating."Emma's eyes widened. "Wow, that's intense. How did you handle it?"Michael smiled softly. "Thanks to my medical knowledge and my connections
Emma felt the usual surge of adrenaline as she stepped into the internal medicine department. Today, she was responsible for a new patient, a 25-year-old man admitted with a preliminary diagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). His neurological symptoms had worsened overnight, and Emma felt a knot of concern tightening in her stomach as she reviewed his charts.Her concerns were confirmed when the patient's CT and MRI scans showed acute cerebral hemorrhage. Emma immediately called for an emergent neurosurgery consultation.Michael arrived in the emergency room with his usual calm demeanor, quickly assessing the situation. "We need to get him to surgery, now," he said, looking directly at Emma. She nodded, appreciating his decisiveness.The surgery was intense, but Michael’s skillful hands worked with precision. Emma watched from the observation room, her admiration for Michael growing with each passing moment. After several grueling hours, the surgery was a success. Howe
Emma was in her office, engrossed in patient charts when her phone buzzed. Seeing Daniel's name on the screen, she sighed and answered.“Hi, Daniel,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.“Hey, Emma. I wanted to let you know that everything is set for my move. I’ll be arriving next week,” Daniel informed her.Emma's heart skipped a beat. She had mixed feelings about Daniel moving to the US. It meant Lily would get to see her father more often, but it also meant complications in her life. “Okay, thanks for letting me know,” she replied.As she ended the call, she didn’t notice Michael standing just outside her office door, having overheard enough to understand the gist of the conversation. Sensing an opportunity, he decided to act quickly. He knocked softly and entered.“Hey, you,” he greeted, his voice warm. Before she could respond, he moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her neck gently.Emma tensed at first, but Michael’s touch was soothing. “Michael