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 through the iron gates into the quiet grounds.
A year ago, Daniel had considered himself the luckiest man alivedeeply in love and loved in return. But everything changed in an instant when his fiancée, Emily, was lost in a car accident. It took him a month just to regain his senses, and even then, it was only with the help of his colleagues that he managed to return to some semblance of normal life.
Near the gravestone, Emilys mother sat on a bench.
“Hello, Aunt Margaret,” Daniel said softly.
“Good afternoon, Daniel,” the woman replied, rushing to embrace him, burying her face in his chest as tears spilled down her cheeks.
His gaze drifted to the headstone, where Emilys smiling face was captured forever in stone.
Once she had calmed slightly, Margaret helped him arrange the flowers properly. They stood in silence for a long moment before she finally spoke.
“Youre not married yet?”
“No. I cant forget your daughter. Its like her heart is still calling out 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 motionless on the white table, the man and woman kneeling before her in grief.
She turned to Daniel, meaning to say something, but when she saw the pain etched into his face, she hesitated.
Daniel had graduated from the police academy and worked for two years, recently earning the rank of sergeant. He still lived with his parents.
The tragedy had shattered the steady rhythm of his familys life. Their son hadnt been the same since, spending most of his free time locked in his room. Even now, on this Saturday evening, he returned home with a heavy heart.
“Daniel, are you eating?” his mother called as he stepped into the hallway.
He nodded silently and headed to the bathroom to wash his hands before sitting at the table. His mother wasted no time.
“Your father and I visited your grandparents graves today” She stopped abruptly when she saw the shadow cross his face.
“I went to see Emily too.”
“Son, its been a year. Emilys gone, but you still have to live.”
“I cant, Mum. Its like shes pulling me toward her.”
“Daniel, dont say things like that,” his mother said, alarmed.
“Its fine. I know you and Dad want me to move on, but I cant yet.”
He finished his meal and retreated to his room.
Police work was demanding, often stretching late into the night. Daniel lay on his bed and drifted into an uneasy sleep.
In his dream, Emily called out to him. Hed had dreams like this before, but tonight was differentas if she were in trouble, pleading for his help.
He jolted awake and rushed into the hallway.
“Daniel, whats wrong?” his mother asked.
“Just going for a walk.”
He stepped outside, his feet carrying him without thought.
He reached the park and moved deeper into the trees. Three drunken louts had cornered a young woman, their voices slurred with menace. Her eyes were wide with fear.
“Whats going on here?” Daniel demanded, stepping forward.
Her expression shifted from terror to desperate hope.
“Mind your own business!” one of the men snarled, lunging at himonly to hit the ground a second later.
“Get your mate and leave. Now,” Daniel ordered the other two.
They obeyed instantly, hauling their friend up before staggering away.
The girl stood frozen, clutching her chest, then fumbled in her pocket for a pill and placed it under her tongue. Tears spilled down her cheeks.
“Easy, youre safe now,” Daniel said gently, placing a steadying hand on her shoulder.
“Th-thank you,” she stammered.
“Let me walk you home.”
As they walked, her breathing steadied, and he asked, “Whats your name?”
“Charlotte.”
“Im Daniel. What happened back there?”
“I always walk heredoctors orders. Those men just appeared”
He nodded. “Your heart?”
“Ive had problems since childhood. A year ago, it nearly gave out. I had surgery. The doctors said Id be fine now.”
As Daniel listened, an unexpected lightness filled his chest, as if Emily were somehow walking beside him.
They reached a modern apartment block.
“I live here,” Charlotte said, her eyes lingering on him with quiet sadness.
“Glad we met,” he murmured.
“Daniel would you like to come in? Meet my mum?”
“Is that alright?” He couldnt hide his surprise.
“Of course.”
Her flat was elegant, with refined furniture. A woman emerged from another room, blinking in surprise at her daughters animated expressionand the stranger beside her.
“Mum, this is Daniel. He saved me from those men.”
“Eleanor Whitmore,” the woman introduced herself with a polite smile. “Come to the kitchentell me what happened.”
As Eleanor set out tea, Charlotte eagerly recounted the evenings events. When she finished, her mother shook her head.
“You shouldnt go there alone anymore.” Then she turned to Daniel. “Why were you in the park?”
“My heart led me there,” he said with a half-smile.
“And what do you do?”
“Im a police officer.”
“That explains how you handled those louts.” She hesitated before her next question. “Are you married?”
“No.”
Her suspicion flickereda handsome twenty-five-year-old, unmarried?
“I had a girlfriend,” he admitted. “She died a year ago.”
“Oh, Daniel, Im so sorry.”
They finished their tea in silence. Afterward, Daniel stood.
“Thank you. I should go.” Seeing Charlottes crestfallen expression, he added, “Lets exchange numbers. If anyone bothers you again, call me.”
That night, sleep eluded him.
Whats happening to me? Walking with her, I couldve sworn I heard Emilys heartbeat.
He closed his eyesbut for the first time, Emilys face blurred, replaced by Charlottes. He didnt fall asleep until well past midnight.
The next morning, he shaved, washed, then grabbed his phone and dialed without hesitation.
“Hello?” Her voice held surprise.
“Charlotte, what are you up to?”
“Just going to the shops.”
“WaitIll come with you.”
Minutes later, he stood at her door.
“Hi, Charlotte.”
“Good morning, Daniel.” She hesitated, as if resisting the urge to embrace him.
Eleanor appeared in the hallway.
“Good morning, Mrs. Whitmore.”
“Mum, were going shopping. Need anything?”
“Just enjoy yourselves.”
Daniel brought Charlotte home. His mothers face lit upthis was the first girl hed brought back in over a year.
“Come in! Lunch is almost ready.”
“Mum, this is Charlotte,” he said warmly. “Charlotte, my mum, Mary.”
“Lovely to meet you,” Mary gushed, utterly charmed.
His father emerged, trying to maintain a stern expression, but a smile tugged at his lips.
Over lunch, Charlotte answered their questions eagerly, clearly wanting to make a good impression. Afterward, she helped Mary clear the table, chatting easily about little things.
Daniel approached.
“Charlotte, come see my room.”
He nudged her inside
She gasped, hands flying to her mouth. Her eyes locked onto the photo on the wall: Daniel with Emily.
“Charlotte, whats wrong?”
“Thats Emily.”
“You knew her?”
“A year ago, I was dying. She didnt make it but I got her heart.”
Daniels breath caught. “You have Emilys heart?”
She nodded, tears streaming.
He stared at her, Emilys face and Charlottes overlapping, and for the first time, he wondered if fate truly existed.
God must be realHes given her back to me. And I wont lose her again.
He pulled Charlotte close.
“Ill be with you forever, Charlotte,” he vowed, as solemn as an oath on the Bible.
Was it just a twist of fate? Or something more? What do you think?
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