006 Unexpected Encounter

The morning sun filtered softly through the curtains, painting warm, golden streaks across Emily's face. She slowly opened her eyes, letting the gentle light coax her awake. The peace and harmony of the early dawn wrapped around her, making her feel momentarily calm and refreshed, as if the troubles of the past few days were nothing more than an evanescent dream. Though the memories of last night's vivid dream lingered, she knew well that no matter how real the dream felt, it could not change her reality. She had to stay strong—for her grandmother, her mother, and most importantly, for herself.

Emily quickly dressed, donning her most comfortable clothes, and set off for the hospital. She walked briskly through the hallways, her heart already at her grandmother's side. As she turned the corner to approach the room, she suddenly saw Ethan coming down the hallway from the other direction. He was here to visit her grandmother, just as she was. His eyes locked on hers, filled with concern that seemed to run far deeper than the surface. He didn't say much, but there was something in his gaze—something that whispered of a feeling he couldn’t quite put into words.

"Did you sleep well last night?" Ethan asked, his voice warm and tender as it had always been. Emily nodded, her heart stirred by his gentle tone. Despite everything that had happened between them, she couldn’t deny that his concern seemed genuine. He walked alongside her as they entered the room.

Inside, Emily's mother sat beside the bed, while her grandmother rested peacefully, her face looking pale yet serene. Seeing Emily enter, her grandmother's eyes lit up with a soft, comforting glimmer.

"Emily, dear, don’t worry. I’m tougher than I look," her grandmother said, her voice weak but filled with unyielding strength. Emily leaned forward and clasped her grandmother's hand in hers, nodding, her eyes filled with determination. She knew, no matter what the future held, she would remain by her grandmother's side, supporting her through every step of this difficult journey.

The surgery lasted for hours—each minute felt like an eternity. But in the end, the doctors assured them that it had gone well. The relief that swept through Emily was overwhelming. She watched as her grandmother was wheeled back into a regular room, the soft beeping of the machines a comforting reminder that she was still there, still fighting.

Not long afterward, the door to the room opened, and a tall figure appeared in the doorway. The man carried a large basket of fresh fruit, and Emily looked up, momentarily unsure of who he was. He wore a plain white shirt, unbranded, with dark jeans—a simple, understated look. Yet there was something about the way he carried himself, a sense of presence and quiet confidence that couldn’t be hidden.

His face was handsome, his gaze deep, and his expression calm yet somewhat mysterious. There was an aura about him, a coldness mingled with politeness, that made him instantly stand out.

The man seemed to sense her confusion and offered a slight smile before introducing himself. “Hi, I’m Alex. A few days ago, I was in a car accident. I heard that you called the ambulance and helped me. I wanted to thank you in person,” he said, his voice low, rich, and full of gratitude. He handed her a business card. “Here’s my contact information. If you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out.”

Emily blinked, taken aback by his sudden appearance. She remembered the accident—how she had seen him slumped over in the car, barely conscious. It had been a spur-of-the-moment decision to help, something any decent person would do. She had never imagined the man she helped would track her down like this.

“You... How did you find me here?” she asked, her voice tinged with surprise.

Alex smiled again, a hint of mystery dancing in his eyes. “I was brought to this hospital, and when I saw you earlier, I asked the nurse. She was kind enough to tell me where to find you. I don’t want to intrude, I just wanted to express my gratitude.” He paused, his eyes glancing briefly at her grandmother, then back at Emily. “I hope your family recovers quickly. Take care.”

Before Emily could say more, Alex nodded, turned, and walked out of the room, leaving behind a sense of curiosity and confusion in the air.

After he left, Emily’s mother looked at her daughter thoughtfully. She spoke softly, her voice laced with motherly concern, “Emily, are you and Ethan fighting?” She took her daughter’s hand in hers, her eyes filled with both worry and unwavering support. “No matter what you decide, sweetheart, know that I will always be by your side. Just make sure, whatever you choose, that it’s something you won’t regret in the future.”

Emily stared at her mother, her heart swelling with gratitude. It had always been just the three of them—her, her mother, and her grandmother. Their lives had never been easy, but her mother had always been her biggest supporter.

“Thank you, Mom,” Emily whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She nodded resolutely, “I promise, whatever happens, I’ll make a choice I won’t regret.”

Three days after the surgery, her grandmother's condition was stable. Emily's mother, though exhausted, was in good spirits and insisted that Emily should return to work. “You’ve been here long enough, dear,” her mother said, urging her on, “You’ve taken enough time off. Besides, it’s not good for a young woman like you to put her whole life on hold. Go back and continue building your life. We’ll be alright here.”

Emily hesitated. She wanted to stay a little longer, to make sure everything was alright. But her mother’s persistence, combined with her own realization that she could not lose her career momentum, finally convinced her.

The next day, Emily took a cab back to her temporary apartment. It was a small place, but it was hers, and when she stepped inside, she felt a renewed sense of purpose wash over her. She changed into her work clothes, opened her laptop, and settled down at her desk. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, answering emails and tackling the pile of work that had accumulated during her absence. Her eyes remained focused, a sense of determination flowing through her. It was clear to her now: she had to keep moving, had to keep fighting—not just for herself, but for her family.