He browsed her photos. She had three albums. One, “My Hobby,” showed her artwork—oil paintings, pastels, pencil sketches. Ethan wasn’t an art expert, but her work impressed him.
He saved a few of her best pieces to his laptop. Another album was about her work, with photos from school events with teachers and students.
The third, “Just Me,” had photos of Emily over the years. Always alone. No man in any of them.
That didn’t mean much. Not everyone flaunts their personal life. Ethan studied her photos for a long time.
For the first time since Danielle’s death, another woman intrigued him. He wasn’t sure how to feel about it. After losing Danielle, he couldn’t imagine loving again.
It felt like betraying her. But time dulled the pain. And at some point, Ethan felt loneliness keenly.
He wanted to be happy again, to feel loved and love someone. And, frankly, the house needed a woman’s touch. His kids needed a mother’s warmth.
Especially little Tanya. She didn’t remember her mom and could accept a stepmom if she was kind. Timmy would be harder.
His mom’s death hit him hard. But maybe a gentle, caring woman could thaw his heart. Ethan so wanted his son to be the happy, outgoing boy he was before that tragedy took their most precious person.
Ethan thought more often that meeting a good woman who’d love his kids wouldn’t betray Danielle. She’d want her kids and him to be happy. But where to find a woman with a beautiful soul and kind heart, with room for his son and daughter? He knew two single colleagues liked him, but they didn’t interest him.
Not because they were bad or unattractive, just no spark. Maybe he was subconsciously seeking someone like Danielle? Lately, he worried he’d never be truly happy again.
Then he met Emily and felt something familiar, close in her. Fate kept crossing their paths. But did she need him? A widower with two kids.
Not every woman would take on that responsibility. But Ethan, persistent by nature, decided to try to win this enigmatic, fragile woman with sad, beautiful eyes. He wasn’t sure what he felt for her.
It was too early for love, but he was increasingly certain he was drawn to her. Back home, Emily couldn’t shake Rachel’s words about her and Ethan making a family. She thought of little Tanya and felt she already loved her.
She didn’t understand how that was possible. Or what was happening to her. Lately, she had a persistent feeling something big was about to happen.
It scared her a bit. To distract herself, Emily sat at her easel. After the divorce, she returned to her old passion for drawing and painting.
Living with James, she’d nearly abandoned it, devoting herself to caring for him, keeping the apartment spotless, and cooking fresh meals. James didn’t share her interest in art. Paint smells annoyed him.
Emily realized how much free time she now had, wanting to fill it with something meaningful and joyful. Painting not only distracted her from sad thoughts but brought positive emotions.
That night, she dreamt that strange, frightening dream again, walking toward her child’s cries but unable to find them. Ethan worried Timmy refused lessons with Emily but didn’t want to pressure him. He knew his son too well.
Timmy never did anything against his will and hated being persuaded. But unexpectedly, before bed, Timmy came to his room and said he wanted to see his teacher’s drawings. «Of course,» Ethan said, thrilled, opening his laptop.
Timmy studied Emily’s paintings intently, then said, «I’ll do lessons with her.» «Really, son? I’m so glad to hear that. Should I call her and tell her you changed your mind?»
«No, I’ll tell her tomorrow,» Timmy said firmly. «I was rude today and need to apologize.» «You’re right, Timmy.
You shouldn’t have been rude to a good person. She wants to help you grow your talent.
But good job recognizing your mistake and apologizing. I’m proud of you, son.» «Yeah,» Timmy nodded and left.
Ethan’s heart warmed. Timmy’s change of heart felt like a good sign. He wanted to call Emily and share the news. But he held back.
Let Timmy talk to her himself tomorrow. It was his decision. And it was late for a call.
Emily might be asleep. If only Ethan knew she was sitting at her easel, painting Tanya’s face from memory. Morning came, and Emily felt off.
The nightmare woke her, and she couldn’t sleep, replaying it in her mind. Then her thoughts shifted to Timmy.
He’d been upset, misinterpreting her offer as pity. She hadn’t meant to hurt him. What now? Try talking to him again or let it go? Emily didn’t know.
Heading to work, she was glad it was Friday, with the weekend ahead. She was tired from the week. Double shifts drained her.
She planned to visit her parents that evening. Her dad was being discharged from the hospital. Her mom shared the good news yesterday.
His condition had improved significantly. Recent tests showed the illness retreating. I’ll buy a cake, Emily thought.
It’s been a while since we had a family gathering. A great occasion. Maybe we’ll walk in the park this weekend.
Everything’s blooming. Spring.
«Ms. Emily,» she heard a familiar voice. Turning, she saw Ethan approaching quickly. She stopped to wait.
«Hello. I just dropped Tanya at daycare and saw you. Let me help,» he said, eyeing the heavy bag she carried.
«We’re going the same way; I pass your school on my way to work. Why’s a delicate woman like you carrying such weight?» «Good morning, Mr. Ethan,» Emily said, handing him the bag, which was indeed heavy. «I don’t always get to grade papers at school, so I take them home.
It’s my job.» «Ms. Emily, forgive my curiosity, but I found your social media page and saw your photo albums. I’m amazed by your talent.
You draw beautifully.» «Really? That’s unexpected,» Emily said, surprised and shy. «Thank you.
I started drawing again recently. Rediscovered my childhood passion and found I still know how.
Now I spend most of my free time on it.» «Why’d you stop for so long?» «I don’t know. After I got married, I mostly stopped.
Only drew with kids at school. I once dreamed of being a professional artist.»
«You mentioned marriage, but you’re divorced now. Sorry if I’m prying.» «No worries.
Nothing wrong with your question. Yes, I divorced last November. It’s cliché.
A younger, flashier woman crossed the road,» Emily chuckled, recalling Lila’s enhanced lips and fake lashes. James fell for that artificial charm.
«Wow!» Ethan said, remembering that October day when Emily nearly died under his car. That must’ve been when she learned of the affair, he thought, but kept it to himself. That’s why she was so lost and teary-eyed.
«Mr. Ethan,» Emily said, changing the topic from her divorce. «I’m sorry, but Timmy refused drawing lessons with me. I must’ve said the wrong thing, and he got upset, thinking I pitied him.
Please forgive me, I didn’t mean to hurt your son, but since you brought it up…» «Ms. Emily, I talked to Timmy last night, and he asked to see your work. He was impressed and agreed to lessons with you.» «Really?» Emily lit up. «That’s great news! I wanted to call you yesterday, but Timmy said he’d talk to you himself.
He plans to apologize for being rude. I’m sorry he snapped at you.» «No, I’m not upset with Timmy, and I’m glad he changed his mind.
We’ll set a schedule today, and I hope I can convince him to try art school next year.» «We’re here. Thanks for the help! Have a good day!» «Can I carry the bag to your classroom?» Ethan offered.
«No, that’d be awkward,» Emily said, taking the bag. «My students and colleagues are already watching, and what’s awkward?» Ethan asked, looking into her eyes. «Let them look.
I really like you, Ms. Emily.» She wanted to say, «I like you too,» but couldn’t. She just smiled and entered the school.
His words echoed in her head all day, sometimes distracting her from work. «Was I right?» Rachel asked when Emily stopped by her office for work matters. «About what?» Emily asked, knowing what she meant.
«I saw you and Ethan Carter today. Did I tell you Ethan was my student?» «No, I didn’t know.
He went to this school?» «Yes, I was his homeroom teacher, so I know him well. Great kid back then. I bet he’s a fine man now.
And your eyes are sparkling today, Emily. It’s hard to miss. He told me he likes me,» Emily admitted.
She was in such a great mood she wanted to share her joy. «See how things are falling into place. I told you divorce isn’t a tragedy; it might be the start of something new and wonderful.
Remember?» «I do. But it’s too early to say if anything will come of it.» «I’m sure it will.
Does it bother you that he has two kids?» «Not at all, Rachel, you know my situation. I can’t have kids. I’d love to connect with Timmy and Tanya.
Be a friend, give them warmth and care.» «See, you’re already imagining yourself with Ethan and his kids, part of their family. That means it’s going right.
Good luck, Emily. You deserve happiness.» Ethan thought about Emily all day.
He was glad he’d told her he liked her. Though she didn’t reply, her eyes spoke for her. He saw that spark, clear she wasn’t indifferent.
He decided to call her soon and ask her out. They were drawn to each other, obviously. Why waste time? They’d both faced trials, and that meeting on the crosswalk was fateful.
He felt something for her then, that sad-eyed woman. A string in his soul, dormant since Danielle’s death, stirred. During second-grade lessons, Emily noticed Timmy was livelier than usual.
He even raised his hand in science class, which thrilled her. After lessons, he approached and apologized for his rudeness. «I loved your drawings,» Timmy said.
«Especially the one of a boy with a kitten.» «Want me to give it to you?» Emily offered. «Really? You’d give it away?» he exclaimed.
«You don’t mind?» «Not at all. Why would I mind if my work brings joy? I’m happy. I’ll bring it Monday.»
«Thank you,» Timmy said, giving a small smile. It was the first time Emily saw him smile, warming her heart. They agreed to start drawing lessons the next week when Laura returned, and Emily wouldn’t be covering her class.
That evening, as Emily went to bed, she thought it had been a long time since she’d had such a good day, filled with happy moments. A man she liked confessed his feelings. The issue with Timmy resolved well, and she spent Friday evening with her parents.
They had a warm time. Her mom made a delicious dinner, Emily brought a cake. Her dad was cheerful, joking, and her mom’s eyes teared up with joy for him.
For the first time since learning of James’s betrayal, Emily fell asleep happy. That evening, reading Tanya a bedtime story, she said, «Daddy, if I had a magic wand, guess what I’d wish for?» «What?» «A mom,» she sighed.
«Everyone at daycare has a mom, but I don’t. Why does my mom live on a cloud? Can’t she come back?» «No, sweetie,» Ethan stroked her curls. «Mommy Danielle can’t come back.»
«Can I have another mom? Not Mommy Danielle, another.» Ethan paused, unsure how to answer.
Not long ago, he’d have said there’s only one mom. Now, thinking of Emily, he realized she could be his wife and a mom to his kids. «Tanya, I want you to meet a very nice person,» he said.
«She’s beautiful and kind.» Saturday morning started with a call from Sarah. «Hey, Sarah,» Emily said sleepily.
«Still sleeping?» «Sorry for waking you.» «It’s almost eleven?» «I thought you’d be up.» «Eleven?» Emily jumped up, checking the clock.
«I never sleep past eight, even on weekends.» «No big deal. Sometimes you need it.
You must be tired from double shifts.» «Yeah, a bit,» Emily admitted. «I’m coming by tonight.
Want to drop in for a bit? Tea, chat. Okay? Got other plans?» «Come over, of course.
No plans yet. I’ll be glad.» «Great.
I’ll be there by five.» «Perfect. Gives me a reason to bake.
Don’t feel like baking just for myself.» «Charlie, why didn’t you wake me?» Emily asked her cat, who meowed loudly, demanding his breakfast. «Let’s go to the kitchen.»
After feeding Charlie, Emily showered. Out of the bathroom, she saw two missed calls from an unknown number. Hesitant—she disliked unknown callers—she called back.
It might be a parent of a student. They’d called from different numbers before. «Hello, Ms. Emily,» she heard a familiar voice. «Mr. Ethan,» she said, surprised and pleased.
«Good morning! About Timmy?» «No. Do you like the circus?» «Circus?» she was taken aback. «I haven’t been in ages, honestly. Probably as a kid with my parents, never as an adult.
Why?» «I promised the kids we’d go to the circus Sunday, and I’d like you to join us.» Emily’s heart raced. She wanted to shout, «Yes! Yes! Yes!» but restrained herself, asking, «Will your kids mind?» «I asked Timmy. He’s thrilled.
Don’t worry about Tanya. She’s friendly and sweet. She’ll like you, I’m sure.» «Then I’m in,» Emily said.
«Awesome. I’m so glad. We’ll pick you up Sunday at four by your building.»
Emily couldn’t believe this was happening. A wave of emotions overwhelmed her. She’d never felt this, not even when she first fell for James.
Yet she was a little scared. Scared to lose what she hadn’t yet gained but desperately wanted.
By five, Sarah arrived. «Smells amazing,» she said, catching the scent of fresh baking. «Made my signature cherry pie,» Emily smiled.
Not long ago, she thought she’d never bake it again, as James loved it, and she was making it that day she learned of his betrayal. She thought it would always remind her of him and the pain. But today, she realized it didn’t hurt at all to think of James. She was happy he was gone. Rachel was right—divorce, though a tragedy at first, could be the start of a new, wonderful life.
Emily didn’t believe it at first. She and Sarah spent a delightful couple of hours eating the delicious pie and sharing news. Sarah admitted she was head over heels for Michael, who’d proposed, and she accepted.
«And you didn’t want marriage,» Emily exclaimed, genuinely happy for her friend. «Like the song says, ‘Love comes unexpectedly.’ Be my maid of honor?» «Of course, gladly, since your apartment led me to Michael.»
Irene was right; this place is lucky.» «Hope it brings you luck in love too,» Sarah said, eyeing her friend. «Why the mysterious smile? You’re glowing today. Spill it.»
«It’s early to say anything serious, but I’ve got news.» Emily shared everything, from nearly getting hit by Ethan’s car to now. «Wow!» Sarah exclaimed, listening intently. «What news! I’m so thrilled for you!» «Don’t get too excited.