The taxi pulled up outside the cemetery gates. A young man stepped out and approached the woman selling flowers by the entrance.
“Twelve tulips, please,” he said.
He paid in pounds, bowed his head slightly, and walked into the quiet grounds.
A year ago, Daniel had believed himself the luckiest man alivedeeply in love and loved in return. But everything changed in a single day when his fiancée, Emily, didnt survive a car accident.
It took Daniel a month just to function again. His colleagues at work helped pull him back into some semblance of normal life.
Now, by the gravestone, Emilys mother sat on a bench.
“Hello, Aunt Margaret,” Daniel said softly.
“Good afternoon, Daniel,” she replied, rising quickly to embrace him, burying her face in his chest as she wept.
His eyes stayed fixed on the gravestone, where Emilys photo smiled back at him.
Once Margaret had steadied herself, she helped him arrange the flowers properly. They stood in silence for a long moment before she spoke.
“Youre not married yet?”
“No. I cant forget your daughter. Its like Emilys still calling to me.”
Margaret nodded, lowering her head sorrowfully. The events of that day over a year ago were still a blurthe hospital, her daughter lying on a cold table, the unbearable weight of grief.
She turned to Daniel, about to say something, but the look on his face stopped her.
Daniel had graduated from police academy and worked as an officer for two years, recently promoted to sergeant. He still lived with his parents.
The tragedy had derailed his steady life. For a year, hed been a ghost of himself, locked away in his room. Even now, he returned home on a Saturday afternoon, silent and withdrawn.
“Daniel, come eat,” his mother called from the hallway.
He nodded and went to wash his hands before sitting at the table. His mother hesitated, then spoke carefully.
“Your father and I visited your grandparents graves today” She trailed off as his expression darkened.
“I went to see Emily too.”
“Sweetheart, its been a year. Emilys gone, but you have to keep living.”
“I cant, Mum. Its like shes pulling me to her.”
“Daniel, dont say things like that!” His mother looked alarmed.
“Its fine. I know you and Dad want me to move on, but not yet.”
He finished his meal and retreated to his room.
Police work was demanding, sometimes stretching into late nights. Daniel lay on his bed and fell asleep without realizing it.
He dreamed of Emily calling to himsomething that happened oftenbut this time, it was different. It felt like she was in trouble, begging for help.
He woke with a start and rushed to the hallway.
“Son, whats wrong?”
“Just going for a walk.”
Outside, his feet carried him without thought. He reached the park and walked deeper in, where he spotted three drunk lads harassing a frightened woman.
“Whats going on here?” Daniel demanded.
Her terrified eyes locked onto his, pleading silently.
“Whats it to you?” one of the lads snarled, only to find himself flat on the ground moments later.
“Take him and go. Now,” Daniel ordered.
The other two didnt argue, dragging their friend away.
The young woman stood frozen, clutching her chest, then fumbled for a pill and slipped it into her mouth. Tears spilled down her cheeks.
“Easy, youre safe now,” Daniel said gently, putting an arm around her.
“Thank you,” she stammered.
“Let me walk you home.”
On the way, she steadied herself enough to speak.
“Whats your name?” he asked.
“Claire.”
“Daniel. What happened back there?”
“I always walk in this parkthe doctors said I should. But those lads”
“Got it. Something wrong with your heart?”
“Since I was little. A year ago, it failed completely. I had surgery. The doctors say Ill be fine now.”
As he listened, Daniel felt something strangea lightness in his chest, as if Emily were beside him.
They reached a modern apartment block.
“I live here,” Claire said, looking at him with sad eyes.
“Glad we met,” he said.
“Daniel come up? Id like you to meet my mum.”
“Is that alright?” He couldnt hide his smile.
“Of course!”
The flat was tastefully furnished, clearly well-off. A woman emerged from another room, surprised by her daughters bright expression and the man beside her.
“Mum, this is Daniel. He saved me from those awful boys.”
“Lydia Stephens,” she said warmly. “Come to the kitchen, tell me what happened.”
As Lydia set the table, Claire recounted the ordeal with excitement. When she finished, her mother sighed.
“Claire, no more walks there alone.” Then she studied Daniel. “How did you end up there?”
“My heart led me,” he joked.
“And what do you do for work?”
“Police.”
“Ah, that explains the quick thinking with those lads.” She hesitated. “Not married?”
“No.” The answer pleased herbut also made her suspicious. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-five in a few months.”
Her suspicions deepened. A handsome, unmarried twenty-five-year-old? She fell silent. Daniel guessed her thoughts.
“I had a girlfriend,” he said quietly. “She died a year ago.”
“Oh, Daniel, Im so sorry.”
They finished their tea in silence. Afterward, Daniel stood.
“Thanks for the tea. I should go.” Seeing Claires uncertain look, he smiled. “Claire, lets swap numbers. If you ever need help, call me.”
That night, Daniel lay awake.
Whats happening to me? Walking with her, I couldve sworn I heard Emilys heartbeat.
He closed his eyes but couldnt picture Emilys face clearlyonly Claires. He finally slept well past midnight.
The next morning, he shaved, washed up, and dialed the number without hesitation.
“Hello?” Claire answered, surprised.
“Hi, Claire. What are you up to?”
“Just heading to the shops.”
“Wait, Ill come. Well go together.”
When he arrived, she stood nervously, as if unsure whether to hug him.
Lydia appeared in the hallway.
“Good morning, Lydia.”
“Mum, were going shopping. Need anything?”
“Just go, enjoy yourselves!”
Daniel took Claire home to meet his parents. His mother, Mary, lit upthis was the first girl hed brought home in a year.
“Come in, come in! Lunch is nearly ready.”
“Mum, this is Claire!” He grinned at her. “Claire, this is my mum, Mary.”
“So lovely to meet you!” Mary looked overjoyed.
His father, trying to stay stern, couldnt hide his smile either.
Over lunch, Claire charmed them effortlessly. Afterward, she helped Mary clear the table, chatting away like theyd known each other forever.
Daniel led her to his room.
“Heres where I…”
She gasped, hands flying to her mouth.
Her eyes were fixed on the photo of Daniel and Emily on the wall.
“Claire? Whats wrong?”
“Thats Emily.”
“You knew her?”
“A year ago, I was dying she didnt make it the transplant”
“You have Emilys heart?!”
“Yes,” she whispered, tears streaming.
He stared at her, Emilys face and Claires flickering in his mind. For the first time, he thought of fate.
“Maybe there is a God. Hes given her back to me, and I wont lose her again.”
He pulled Claire close.
“Ill be with you always, Claire,” he vowed, as solemn as an oath.
Coincidence? Or destiny? What do you think?
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