That fateful spring day, Danielle was returning from her prenatal checkup, four months pregnant. They were joyfully awaiting their third child. Why did he listen to her and let her go to the clinic alone? He wanted to take time off work to drive her and wait.
But Danielle said not to worry. She felt fine and would take the bus. Just three stops.
Ethan didn’t need to miss work to escort her. If only he’d known! Danielle was at the bus stop when a drunk driver in an SUV plowed into it at high speed. You couldn’t call someone who got behind the wheel in that state and endangered others anything but a monster.
They couldn’t save Danielle. She and their baby died. Ethan recalled that day and the funeral in a haze.
He still didn’t understand how he survived such grief. He wanted to follow Danielle, but he had two young children who needed him. That kept the grieving man grounded, saving him from a reckless step or losing his mind.
Ethan had to pull himself together, muster all his strength, and live on. For his kids, for Danielle’s memory. The man who took his pregnant wife’s life got twelve years in prison.
At the trial, he cried and repented. But Ethan didn’t believe his tears or remorse. He hated the scoundrel, not understanding why he’d live, even behind bars.
While his beloved wife, a kind and radiant woman, would never hug her children again. Since that horrific day, Ethan’s life split into before and after. He kept living, working, caring for his kids, but the pain of loss was always there.
He thought he’d never love again. Part of his soul died with Danielle that day. Today, Ethan visited her grave, laid her favorite flowers, talked to her, shared his kids’ successes, and told her how much he missed and loved her.
And for some reason, he recalled nearly hitting a woman who ran into the street on red last fall. How did I stop in time? Just inches away, it’s terrifying to think. A miracle I stopped.
Danielle, my love, maybe you helped me then, saved me and that strange woman from disaster. During spring break, Emily took a few days off to focus on buying an apartment. She chose the option she liked best from Sarah’s suggestions.
It was a cozy one-bedroom with good renovations on the third floor of a five-story building. The previous owner, Irene, was moving to another city to join her husband and sold it urgently, so the price was attractive. Plus, most furniture and appliances stayed.
Everything was in great condition, and Emily was thrilled. She could change things later if she wanted. For now, she liked it all, and Irene, a pleasant, friendly woman in her forties, impressed her too.
«I hope you’ll be happy here,» Irene said with a smile on closing day. «This is a lucky apartment.»
«Why?» Emily asked, surprised. «Oh, it’s an interesting story. I’ll keep it short.
One day, a man rang my doorbell. I opened it, and it was a stranger. He was in town on business and decided to visit an old friend he hadn’t seen in years but got the address wrong.
His friend lived at the same house and apartment number, but on Marshall Street, while mine was on Marshall Avenue. In the end, that man became my husband, and I’m moving to him. I bought this apartment by chance; I’d picked another, but it fell through, and the realtor suggested this one.
I didn’t like it at first, too far, but when I walked in, I felt such warmth I knew I had to take it. Sometimes you need to listen to your heart.» «Wow!» Sarah exclaimed.
«That’s how people find their destiny! Amazing! I liked this apartment right away too,» Emily said, touched by Irene’s story. «It feels calm, good for the soul, and it’s not far from my parents, which is important.»
Now the owner of this apartment, Emily decided to move in. It was too cozy to rent out to strangers.
Her mom supported her. «It’s enough if you visit us on weekends.» «I’ll manage,» Nancy said.
Sarah helped Emily move her things by car. They celebrated the housewarming with pizza, and Emily slowly settled into her new place. One morning, leaving for work, she found a small gray creature by her door.
It was a kitten. Seeing her, it meowed pitifully. «Whose baby are you?» Emily asked, petting it.
It purred and rubbed against her legs. Thinking it was hungry, Emily went back inside, poured milk into a saucer, and brought it out. The kitten eagerly lapped it up.
Emily went to work. She had to stay late for an unscheduled staff meeting, then Rachel invited her to her office.
«Emily,» Rachel said, «Laura Smith will be at a training course starting Monday. Someone needs to take her second-grade class for two weeks. Can you do it?
I know your dad’s ill, and you’re helping your mom. But we’re short-staffed, as you know.» «Of course, Rachel, I’ll manage. Dad’s in the hospital under care. He’s stable, even improving, so I don’t need to visit often.»
«Thank you, Emily,» Rachel smiled. Entering her building and reaching her floor, Emily saw the morning visitor curled up on her doormat. «Still here?» she bent down. The kitten opened its eyes and meowed, as if answering.
«Another cat dumped here. Disgraceful,» Emily heard a gruff voice nearby. Turning, she saw an older man from the floor above.
«Hello,» she greeted. «Hey there,» he replied. «What’s going on? Third kitten this month.
People have nothing better to do than leave them in buildings.» «Poor thing,» Emily sighed.
«If you feel bad, take it in before it makes a mess. Someone might throw it out, and it won’t survive outside.» Emily’s heart ached for the defenseless creature.
Without much thought, she picked up the kitten and brought it inside. «Welcome,» she said, setting it down in the hall. «Look around.
You’ll live here now. I need to think of a name. And what’ll I feed you? I only have milk.
Guess I’ll go to the store.» Emily changed into comfy clothes and headed to a nearby pet store to buy food, a litter box, and litter. She felt joyful.
Now, coming home from work, this furry friend would greet her. She named him Charlie. Emily spent most of Saturday preparing lessons.
Starting Monday, she’d work double shifts, but it didn’t bother her. On the contrary, she was glad. Work was her best remedy for loneliness and sorrow.
Now, with Charlie, she didn’t feel loneliness as sharply. The playful, affectionate kitten brought new colors and positive emotions to her life. Emily understood why people with pets called them antidepressants.
She always loved animals, but with James, she couldn’t have them. He had an undiagnosed allergy to pet dander. After her botched abortion and depression, James, to comfort her, brought home a kitten.
Emily cheered up a bit. But the joy was short-lived. They had to rehome the kitten after James started sneezing, coughing, and getting red, watery eyes.
On Sunday, Sarah stopped by. She’d met a client near Emily’s place and called to ask if she could visit briefly. «Of course, Sarah,» Emily said, delighted. «I’m always happy to see you, you know.»
«I’ve got news to share,» Sarah said as Emily opened the door. «Tell me! Want some tea? I baked a cabbage pie this morning.
Imagine, it’s the first time since splitting with James I felt like baking.» «Really? That’s a good sign. You’re healing.»
«Was I sick?» «Worse. You were broken. Betrayal and deceit shatter a person.
They kill faith in goodness, justice, pure love. Knock the ground out from under you. A person lives as before, but they’re not the same.
Like a robot, on autopilot. Their soul is dead. But it can come back to life.
Not for everyone, and not on its own. Something has to happen.
A push. Something good needs to enter their life to make them believe and live again, not just exist.» «You’re a philosopher, Sarah.
You speak so beautifully. Okay, don’t get too deep. I’m really happy for you.
You look better than when we met. And you smile more.» «Oh, who’s this cutie?» Sarah saw the kitten pad into the kitchen on soft paws.
«Meet Charlie,» Emily said proudly. «My new friend.» «Hey, Charlie,» Sarah smiled, petting him.
«He’s adorable. How’d he come into your life? Someone offer him to you?» «No, he found me. I left the apartment one day, and he was at my door.»
«Taking in a kitten is a good deed. Very good. It means happiness is coming your way.»
«We’ll see,» Emily smiled. «So, what’s your news? You’ve got me curious.» «I think your apartment really is lucky. Remember the notary who handled our deal? Michael Brown? Of course I do.
It was recent. Why ask? Wait, are you in love? Your eyes are sparkling.» «I don’t know, Emily.»
Sarah smiled shyly. «It’s so sudden. Michael called recently, asked to meet up and go out somewhere.
And I agreed. And? He’s such an interesting person,» Sarah exclaimed. «We talked and couldn’t stop, then chatted on the phone till one in the morning.
We’re seeing each other tomorrow. I don’t understand what’s happening to me. Can you fall in love after one date?» «Why not? You can, as long as you don’t make a mistake.» «That’s what I’m afraid of.
And I don’t know what to do.» «What to do? Just be happy, Sarah, and don’t look too far ahead, which we can’t know anyway. But I feel Michael’s a good guy.»
On Tuesday, while covering the second-grade class, there was an incident. One student, Timmy Carter, got into a fight with a boy from another class. The other boy claimed Timmy started it.
Timmy didn’t deny or confirm it. He was also a poor student, though not unintelligent. He rarely answered in class, never raised his hand, was withdrawn, and barely interacted with classmates.
The vice-principal for student affairs told Emily to call Timmy’s parents. Emily contacted Laura, the teacher she was covering for, and asked her to invite one of Timmy’s parents. «Timmy’s a tough kid,» Laura sighed.
«There was a big tragedy in his family. His mom died.» «How awful! Poor kid!» «Yes, after her death, he shut down.
It happened three years ago. Timmy was in kindergarten then. His dad’s great. I’ll call him and ask him to come to school.
Why’d Timmy fight? He’s withdrawn but never aggressive. Sorry you’re stuck handling this while I’m away at training, Emily.»
Wednesday after school, Emily waited for Timmy’s dad, feeling nervous. She hated these situations, having to discuss a child’s behavior with parents. But it came with her job.
Kids are kids, and they don’t always behave as adults wish. This was a special case. She was meeting a single father for the first time, which made her extra anxious. Emily was grading papers when she heard, «Good evening, Ms. Emily.»
She turned toward the door and couldn’t believe her eyes. The man who nearly hit her on the crosswalk, whom she later saw in the café, walked in. He recognized her too, his expression changing. They stared at each other in stunned silence before he said, «Wow! What a coincidence! You’re my Timmy’s teacher? Temporarily? For two weeks?» Emily clarified.
«Doesn’t matter.» «Amazing! So I almost hit my son’s teacher that day.» «Seems so, Mr. Ethan?» she replied, feeling awkward.
«Quite a thing. But I’m glad to see you safe and sound. You seemed so sad, lost that day.
Something happened, didn’t it?» «It did, but it’s not important now. Everything’s fine. Shall we talk about your son?» «Of course, Ms. Emily, that’s why I’m here.»
During the talk with Timmy’s dad, Emily felt uneasy. She thought she was saying nonsense, unable to find the right words. And Ethan was looking at her skeptically, thinking what kind of teacher nearly gets herself killed crossing on red, endangering her life.
How can such a teacher be trusted with kids? But while she was mentally berating herself, Ethan was thinking something else. He looked at Emily, wondering why life kept bringing them together. After losing his wife, he swore off relationships, certain he’d never love again. Now, a fragile, attractive young woman sat before him.
And he felt something compelling about her. He suddenly wanted to know everything about her. Was she married? Did she have kids? What did she like? How did she live? He caught himself barely listening, lost in thought, unable to take his eyes off her.
The more he watched Emily and heard her voice, the more she reminded him of his late wife, Danielle. Not in appearance—different features, hair, eyes—but something in her face, her manner, made them similar.
Maybe her gaze, expressions, or voice. Ethan noticed it when he first saw her, on the road, then in the café.
But he didn’t dwell on it then. Now, he thought fate wasn’t bringing them together by chance.
But for what? He still wasn’t ready for a relationship. Ethan glanced at his watch and stood abruptly. «Ms. Emily, sorry, I need to pick up my daughter from daycare.
It’s almost seven.» «Of course, Mr. Ethan,» Emily nodded. I didn’t know Timmy had a younger sister!
«Yes, there’s Tanya,» Ethan said. «She’s probably waiting for me now.
She often stays late at daycare? Usually, all the kids in her group are picked up by six.» «I can’t always make it because of work. We don’t have grandparents to help.»
«Which daycare does your daughter go to?» Emily asked. «The one at 118 Maple Street.
It’s near my place. Nice facility.» «Yes, they built it last year.
Really modern, with a pool. Tanya loves it there.
The staff’s great too.» «So, it seems we’re headed the same way? Or are you staying to work more?» «No, I’m done. I’m working double shifts.
Charlie’s waiting for me at home.» «Charlie?» Ethan looked puzzled, wondering if it was a husband or son. The name seemed odd.
«Charlie the cat,» Emily smiled, explaining. «Like the cartoon character.
My kids watched that cartoon recently.» «Charlie’s my cat,» she clarified with a grin. «Got it.
We have a cat too, Max. The kids adore him.
So, shall we go since we’re headed the same way?» «Sure,» Emily agreed. «Go ahead, I’ll shut down the computer and lock the classroom.» «My Timmy used to be so different,» Ethan said as they left the school.
«He was six when Danielle passed. My wife died three years ago. A drunk driver crashed into the bus stop where she was waiting.
What a tragedy. I’m so sorry for you. Did that person face justice?» «Thank you, Ms. Emily.
Yes, there was a trial, and he got twelve years. But does that make it easier? Danielle’s gone.
I can’t understand how someone can drive drunk. Not only risking their own life but endangering others. Where’s the responsibility? Or do they think they’re invincible when drunk?» «I agree, alcohol’s a terrible evil.
So many crimes happen under its influence, so many families break apart. I’m so sorry, Mr. Ethan, that you went through such loss.» «Timmy changed a lot after losing his mom,» Ethan sighed.
«From a cheerful, chatty boy to quiet and always sad. Tanya was only two, so she doesn’t remember her mom, only knows her from photos. But for Timmy, it was a huge shock.