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
The morning sun filtered through the curtains as Emma awoke to a warm “Good morning” from Michael. They shared a quiet breakfast together, filled with light conversation and lingering glances. Despite the comfort of his presence, Emma's mind was already on the day ahead and the responsibilities waiting for her.After breakfast, Michael drove her home so she could check on Lily and take her to preschool. As they pulled up to her house, Emma turned to him, feeling a mix of gratitude and anxiety.“Thank you for last night,” she said softly. “And for this morning.”Michael smiled. “Anytime, Emma. You know I’m here for you.”Emma nodded, a small smile on her lips, but her thoughts were already on Lily. Inside, she found her daughter playing with her toys.“Hey sweetie, how about we play your favorite game before we head to preschool?” Emma knelt down to Lily’s level.Lily’s eyes lit up. “Really, Mommy? Can we play tea party?”“Absolutely,” Emma replied, setting up the tiny tea set on the l
Michael’s POV I watched Emma from across the lobby as she submitted her documents. Her slender, athletic figure and mature outlook caught my attention immediately. She wasn’t extraordinarily beautiful, but there was an exotic charm that radiated from her. Her slightly crooked nose suited her face, and her captivating eyes, combined with her elegant walk and talk, drew me in. I overheard her speaking to the admissions worker; her accent indicated she wasn’t a native, but I found it endearing. Two weeks later, I learned from an old friend, Tom, that the girl I had in my heart and considered the love of my life, Jessica, was returning to New York from London. My heart sank. I couldn’t see her, desperately wanting to return to my hometown to be near her, but I knew I should forget about her. We had decided to part ways years ago, yet I just couldn’t let go. I found myself at a bar, trying to drown my sorrow in alcohol. Suddenly, the girl who caught my attention at the hospital approa
Emma's POV: I waited anxiously at the airport with Lily, scanning the crowd for Daniel. As soon as I saw him, my heart swelled. He looked tired but happy, and when Lily spotted him, she ran to him, her face lighting up with pure joy. "Daddy!" Lily squealed, jumping into his arms. Daniel lifted her effortlessly, cuddling her close. Their love was palpable, and I couldn't help but smile. It felt like family. "Hey, Emma," Daniel greeted me warmly, his eyes shining. "It's good to see you." "Good to see you too, Daniel," I replied, genuinely happy. It was a moment of normalcy amidst the chaos of our lives. We gathered his luggage and headed to the car. As we drove to Daniel's new house, I felt a mix of emotions. It was a nice house with three bedrooms, spacious and well-lit. The neighborhood was serene, with tree-lined streets and well-kept lawns. "This is a great place," I remarked as we walked inside. "Why did you choose it?" "It's close to my office and also near you and Lily,"