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,"
The ER was a whirlwind of activity as the mayor of the town was rushed in, gasping for breath and clutching his chest. The staff moved quickly, the tension palpable as everyone knew the stakes were high. Emma was called in for an urgent consultation. Michael, a board member and a senior physician, was already on the scene, directing the initial assessment. "Dr. Emerson, we have a 60-year-old male, post-bariatric surgery last month, presenting with severe chest pain and shortness of breath. Preliminary diagnosis points to pneumonia and acute kidney injury," one of the ER nurses briefed her. Emma approached the mayor's bed, his face pale and contorted with pain. "Mr. Mayor, I'm Dr. Emerson. I need to ask you a few questions to understand your condition better." He nodded weakly. "Never felt this... short of breath before, Doc." She gathered the necessary details, noting his recent surgery and the sudden onset of symptoms. Something about his presentation felt off. Pneumonia and k
The morning sun filtered through the blinds of Emma's apartment, casting a warm glow over the clutter of fellowship applications spread across her kitchen table. She sighed, flipping through the pages one last time before gathering them into a neat stack. Despite Michael's intervention, the bureaucratic obstacles had left her feeling drained and uncertain.Just as she was about to send a frustrated email to the fellowship program coordinator, her phone buzzed with a message from Michael: "Meet me for coffee? I have news."Curiosity piqued, Emma quickly finished her coffee and headed to the café where Michael had suggested they meet. She found him sitting at a corner table, his charming smile lighting up as he greeted her."Emma, I've got good news," Michael began, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "I managed to sort out the issues with your application. They're reconsidering it as we speak."Emma's heart skipped a beat with relief and gratitude. "Michael, I can't thank you enough. Y
The amusement park was a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds, alive with the laughter of children and the enticing scent of cotton candy. Emma, holding Lily's hand, felt a pang of nostalgia. It had been years since she and Daniel had promised Lily this day, and now, standing at the park entrance, she wondered if this outing would be a step forward or a painful reminder of what could never be again. "Mommy, look! The Ferris wheel!" Lily's excitement was contagious, and Emma smiled down at her daughter. "Let's find Daddy, and then we can ride it together," Emma replied, scanning the crowd. Daniel appeared, waving enthusiastically, his tall frame making him easy to spot. He jogged over, almost tripping over a stray balloon, and Emma couldn't help but chuckle at his clumsiness. "Hey, you two! Ready for some fun?" Daniel beamed, scooping Lily up into his arms. "Yes, Daddy!" Lily squealed, wrapping her arms around his neck. As they moved through the park, Daniel's attempts at winning ca
Michael sat in his car outside the upscale restaurant, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. His heart raced with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Meeting Jessica again after all these years was bound to stir up old memories and emotions. He took a deep breath, reminding himself to stay composed. This meeting was crucial, not just for closure, but to finally understand where he stood with her.He stepped out of the car and walked towards the entrance, the familiar ambiance of the place instantly bringing back memories. The staff greeted him warmly, recognizing him from past visits. As he was shown to a table in a secluded corner, his mind raced back to those intense days when Jessica had been his muse, the driving force behind his decision to become a neurosurgeon. Saving her from terminal brain cancer had been a miracle, one that had cemented his career and made him the surgeon he was today. The memory of those life-changing moments still haunted him.Jessica arrived, looki