Emily tiredly adjusted her white coat, smoothing the wrinkled folds on the fabric with her palm. She had been working at the city hospital for just a week, but she already felt the full weight of tense shifts, unexpected calls, and cold attitudes from senior colleagues, especially one of them the senior nurse, Susan Thompson.

Well what, again something not right. Emily restrainedly looked at her boss, trying to maintain a neutral expression on her face. Susan Thompson heavily sighed, crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head.

What is this punishment for me, why did they send you specifically to me? Her voice was filled with undisguised irritation. Emily silently shrugged her shoulders, hiding awkwardness behind even breathing. She knew that in their small town it was impossible to get a job in a prestigious medical center, which she dreamed of, but despite this, she never regretted her choice.

Even from childhood the profession of a nurse seemed special to her. She more than once observed how medics help people and dreamed of being one of them, but her mom thought otherwise. Sweetie, well why do you need this? Tried to dissuade her mother, when Emily chose the profession.

You will work all your life in one place, at most become a senior nurse. Does that really suit you? But Emily just smiled in response. Mom, and is it pleasant for you yourself, when a nurse cannot hit the vein or does a bandage somehow? I want to do everything conscientiously, so that patients appreciate my work.

Is that not enough? Mother just heavily sighed, but arguing with her daughter was useless. Now, being in the hospital corridor under the piercing gaze of Susan Thompson, Emily again pondered her choice. She knew that she was a good nurse, despite her recent experience.

Want to work? — mockingly squinted the senior nurse, clearly enjoying her embarrassment. Emily clenched her teeth, but remained silent. Excellent, then go to the emergency department.

Today is Friday drunks there will have fun, and you will definitely find something to do, — threw Susan Thompson, smirking, and went about her business. Emily took a deep breath and headed to the emergency room. She understood that this was not just a shift, this was punishment.

But she didn’t care, because no matter what kind of person rich, poor, drinking or neat, they all needed help, and that means she was obliged to provide it. In the emergency room real chaos was happening. A drunk woman with a dirty bandage on her head was loudly singing at the top of her lungs, a man in an intoxicated state was yelling something at a frightened nurse, and nearby an elderly lady, with a face red from indignation, threatened the staff, demanding immediate examination of her husband…

Emily froze for a moment, and then headed to the frightened nurse, whom the patient was yelling at. “Let me help,” — she said calmly, gently stepping between the girl and the aggressive man. He frowned, measuring her with a heavy gaze…

“And who are you?” Emily did not avert her eyes, maintaining calm. “A nurse, let me take your blood for analysis, and everything will be fine.” The man snorted, but did not argue.

She deftly inserted the needle, and even he, despite the booze, surprisedly raised his eyebrows. After a couple of hours the chaos in the emergency room subsided a bit. Emily, though tired, felt satisfaction, she really helped people.

“Well, newbie, what did they send you here for?” — smirked one of the nurses, watching her with interest. From the office a middle-aged man looked out, with a good-natured expression on his face. He took off his glasses, examining her.

“Are you the newbie?” — he asked. Yes, Emily nodded embarrassedly. And already managed to annoy Susan Thompson.

She hastily shook her head. “No, what are you, she just doesn’t trust me to work independently yet.” The nurse smirked, and the doctor, Alex Peterson, handed her a mug with warm tea.

“Well, let’s get acquainted. This is Sophia, and I am Alex Peterson.” Emily carefully took the mug, enjoying the aroma of the hot drink.

“In an hour it will be hell here again,” — warned the doctor, glancing at the clock. “How do you know?” — Emily was surprised. “It’s simple,” — he smirked.

“Now everyone has stocked up, because alcohol is not sold at night. First they drink quietly at home, and then it turns out that it was not enough here and the fun begins.” Emily listened admiringly.

“Experience,” — smiled the doctor. “I have been working in this hospital for a long time and living in this town even longer.” Sophia suddenly turned to Emily.

“I will talk to Susan Thompson,” — she said. “I watched how you work. You are already doing everything excellently.”

Emily widened her eyes. “Really?” “Really,” — nodded Sophia. “Just continue in the same spirit.”

Emily felt warmth inside. Even if the senior nurse did not accept her, but other colleagues already began to see her efforts. And that meant that everything was not in vain.

Emily with difficulty suppressed a yawn, rubbing her tired hands. Alex Peterson turned out to be right, exactly in an hour a new stream of patients poured into the emergency room. The first was brought a man about forty, with a beaten face and bruises all over his body.

“What happened?” — asked Emily, while the doctor examined him. “Well went out for cigarettes to the store. Hoarsely the patient, wincing from pain.

And there, tipsy guys decided that I somehow displeased them.” The doctor examined his bruises and shallow cuts. “No fractures, but the wounds need to be treated.

Taking to the dressing room,” — he calmly commanded, gesturing to call Emily. She deftly prepared antiseptic and dressing material, helping to apply bandages. The man nodded gratefully.

But as soon as he was taken away, the next patient was brought into the reception a young guy, clearly overdone with alcohol. This one behaved aggressively, picked on passers-by, explained the policeman accompanying him, in the end got punched in the face. The guy was holding his nose, from which blood was flowing, and his lip was swollen from the blow.

Emily sighed, preparing everything necessary for the examination. “Does it hurt a lot?,” — she asked, carefully touching his arm. “Yeah,” — muttered the guy, wincing…

“She left me, and I…” He did not finish, but Emily understood everything. “You are lucky that it ended only with bruises,” — she said calmly, starting to treat the wound. The guy tried to smile, but soon he was sent further to the dressing room.

They did not have time to catch their breath, as they brought an elderly woman who received burns, she accidentally tipped a kettle with boiling water on herself. Next came a man who slipped on the stairs and badly hit his leg, and after him a woman who in the heat of a family quarrel managed to break her arm. The hours dragged on endlessly, patients arrived one after another, and Emily only managed to run from one to another.

Finally, closer to five in the morning, the flow subsided a bit. Alex Peterson put aside his gloves and looked at the tired nurses. “Everyone to sleep, in a couple of hours the morning patients will come.”

Emily nodded gratefully, but could not fall asleep, she stared at the ceiling, remembering her mother. She always endured until the last, just not to bother the doctors. One case was etched in memory especially vividly, high temperature, which could be brought down only for a few hours, but mom refused to call an ambulance.

“If it doesn’t get better by morning, then call,” — she said weakly, lying in bed. Emily was not yet a nurse then, but understood that mom was risking, and yet arguing with her was useless. The next morning she still had to call a doctor, and then Emily firmly decided, she would become that nurse whom people would not be afraid to turn to for help.

Heavily sighing, she still closed her eyes. But her rest did not last long. The next morning, starting her shift, Emily immediately realized that something was wrong.

As soon as she entered the corridor, Susan Thompson literally jumped on her. “Well what, complained?” — said the senior nurse with a smirk. Emily blinked confusedly.

“I, no, I did not complain,” she said, not understanding what it was about. “Of course, of course,” — nodded Susan Thompson mockingly. But then Alex Peterson appeared in the corridor….

“I really want to talk to you, Susan Thompson,” — he said calmly, putting away his glasses. The senior nurse sharply turned to him. “Yes, and what do you want to tell me?” “That in your department works a talented nurse, whom you should not create obstacles for,” — he answered coldly.

Susan Thompson’s face turned red from indignation. “Since so, let her take care of a special patient,” — she said with a sly smile. Emily tensed, anticipating trouble.

At the end of the corridor lies a homeless man. Everyone thinks there is no point in fussing with him. So let her deal with it.

Emily looked at Alex Peterson, but he just calmly nodded. “If she agrees, I don’t mind.” She silently clenched her teeth and headed to the end of the corridor.

There behind the screen, on an old bed lay a man, thin, in worn clothes, with many bruises and cuts. Emily carefully examined him and frowned. It feels like he fell off a cliff, — she muttered.

At that moment Alex Peterson appeared nearby with the patient’s medical chart. Strange, he said thoughtfully, examining the man, judging by the condition, he hasn’t eaten for several days, but he has no signs of dehydration, and also he has severe frostbite on his fingers. Emily pondered.

“So, he spent several nights on the street?” Judging by everything, in severe frost nodded the doctor. Emily clenched her fists. Whoever he was, she would do everything to help him.

She did not notice the gaze of Susan Thompson, who was watching them, clearly pleased with her decision. But if she expected that Emily would refuse, then she was mistaken. Emily had already made her decision…

She would fight for this patient. As for any other. Emily carefully removed the worn clothes from the patient, trying not to cause him additional pain.

Under the layer of dirt and dried blood were hidden numerous bruises, deep cuts and traces of frostbite. She expected to see a withered, emaciated body, as usually happens with people living on the street. But what opened to her gaze surprised.

Under the torn rags was hidden a strong, muscular body. This person clearly was not always homeless. “Strange,” – muttered Emily.

“Something wrong.” Next to her again appeared Alex Peterson, looking into the medical chart. “He looks.

Not like ordinary homeless,” – Emily answered more attentively. “Muscles not atrophied, which means, earlier he led an active lifestyle. Athlete? Worker?”.

Emily nodded. “But how did he end up in such a state?” Alex Peterson did not answer. Instead he concentratedly checked the pulse, shone a flashlight into the patient’s pupils and sighed.

“Severe hypothermia, exhaustion, injuries. Unclear what happened to him. Emily quietly sighed and continued working.

She carefully treated the wounds with antiseptic, applied bandages and made sure that the patient was breathing evenly. As soon as she finished, Susan Thompson entered the ward. “Still fussing with him?” Her voice sounded mocking.

Emily tiredly straightened up and calmly looked at her. “He is a patient, he needs care.” “Yeah, just don’t imagine that he will thank you later,” — smirked the senior nurse, folding her arms over her chest.

Emily disapprovingly shook her head. “Now the main thing is the patient.” She turned to him, adjusting the blanket.

And suddenly. He stirred. Emily froze, watching as his eyelids tremble, and fingers weakly clench.

“Do you hear me?” — she asked quietly. The man with difficulty opened his eyes, they were cloudy. “Where am I?” — he hoarsely.

“In the hospital. Everything is fine, you are safe,” — Emily gently placed a pillow under his head. The man blinked, his breathing became a little more even.

“Water.” Emily immediately took a glass and carefully brought it to the patient’s lips. He took several weak sips, after which he closed his eyes again.

“Thank you,” — he whispered barely audibly. Emily weakly smiled. “Everything is good, rest.”

She thought that he would fall asleep again, but in a minute he opened his eyes again and looked at her with unexpected seriousness. “Listen,” — he whispered, his voice trembling from weakness. “You must listen to me.

And to no one, tell no one.” Emily frowned. “About what?” — “This is important.”..

His voice almost broke, he with difficulty pronounced the words. “You, you must.” He fell silent, breathing heavily…

Emily moved closer, trying to make out his whisper. “Speak, I am listening.” But the man just closed his eyes and sank into sleep.

Emily looked at him, feeling strange excitement. What did he want to say? Why was his voice so insistent? She did not know, but felt, this story is just beginning. Emily sat next to the patient, watching his measured breathing.

He was sleeping, but his face twitched from time to time, as if in a dream he was experiencing something heavy. She recalled his incoherent words. “You must listen to me.

Tell no one.” What did he mean? What did he want to warn about? Emily shook her head, driving away thoughts. Now the main thing is his recovery.

The morning turned out restless. At the duty post stood Susan Thompson. She glanced at Emily and smirked.

“Well what, still sitting by your protege?” Emily tiredly sighed, but did not answer anything. She already understood that the best tactic in communicating with the senior nurse is ignoring. But before Susan Thompson had time to say something else, hurried steps sounded in the corridor.

Emily turned her head and froze. Several people in expensive suits entered the department. Behind them walked an elderly man with a confident posture and an authoritative gaze.

He looked as if he was used to people obeying his word. “Good day,” – he said, stopping in front of Susan Thompson. “How can I help?” The senior nurse immediately changed her face, strained, smiling.

But the man did not listen to her. He was already looking at the end of the corridor. At the bed.

At the patient. And suddenly his authoritative face distorted. “Son,” – his voice trembled.

Emily sharply turned to the man on the bed. The patient stirred, his eyelids trembled. And then she understood.

This is the patient’s father. And he was looking for him. The man rushed to the bed.

“David,” – he exhaled, touching the patient’s shoulder. Emily took a step back, watching the scene. The patient opened his eyes.

For a second recognition flashed in them. “Father,” – he hoarsely. The elderly man squeezed his hand, his face distorted from pain.

“Forgive me, forgive, I did not believe you.” Emily looked at them, not understanding the whole essence, but feeling that behind this stands a big story. She did not notice how Susan Thompson approached them.

“Excuse me, but the patient is still weak,” – she tried to insert, but the man sharply turned to her. “He will be immediately transferred to the best clinic.” “Well,” – Susan Thompson was confused.

“I said immediately.” She opened her mouth, but did not dare to argue. After a few minutes the patient began to be prepared for transportation.

Before they took him away, he for a second lingered his gaze on Emily. “Thank you,” – he whispered. Her heart squeezed.

She knew that she would not see him again. And yet something suggested, this story is not over yet. Susan Thompson watched the departing cortege, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Just don’t hope that in five minutes he will remember your existence,” – she threw to Emily. But Emily just quietly smiled. She did not work for gratitude.

She just did her job. A week passed. Emily continued to work in the usual rhythm, trying not to think about the patient who was taken to an elite clinic…

But something in her life changed. Now she became the object of close attention. “Well what, has the billionaire called you yet?” – threw one of the nurses with a smirk, when Emily entered the nurses’ room.

She was silent, but her whole body squeezed from irritation. Susan Thompson did not miss the opportunity to add fuel to the fire. “Well well, look who we have here? The millionaire’s bride!” – she declared loudly to everyone, snorting.

“What, waiting for an invitation to the mansion?” Emily squeezed her teeth, trying not to react. The more she was silent, the more rumors spread around the hospital. Soon the whole shift knew that once in the department was treated a mysterious rich man and that a simple nurse saved him.

Some laughed, others whispered, third looked at her with envy. Emily felt awkward. She just did her job.

And nevertheless. Somewhere deep in her soul she wondered, what if he really remembers. But time passed, and there was no call.

She had already begun to forget about this story, when one morning everything changed. Emily was going out into the corridor, intending to pour herself tea, when she heard a loud voice. “Emily, is that you?” She sharply turned around.

And froze. Before her stood he. That same patient.

But now he looked completely different. Clean, expensive clothes, confident posture, a light smile on his lips. Behind him stood two men in strict suits, clearly bodyguards…

In his hands he held a bouquet of flowers, tender white lilies mixed with scarlet roses. Emily felt her cheeks burning. “I just returned from Switzerland,” he spoke, approaching closer.

“Underwent a course of treatment.” Around gathered nurses, orderlies, even doctors. From the nurses’ room Susan Thompson was peeking, her face blazing with surprise.

Emily did not know what to say. And he continued. “I just wanted to thank you, if not for you, I would not be here.”

He handed her the bouquet. She carefully took it, feeling the dizzying aroma. And suddenly he asked.

“Emily, when can you meet with me, maybe go to a restaurant, or just take a walk?” There was no arrogance in his eyes. Only warm sincerity. Emily felt that her heart was beating too fast.

The whole corridor held its breath. Susan Thompson seemed so shocked that she even did not find what to say. And Emily, as if in a fog, nodded.

Tomorrow after lunch. Her voice sounded quietly, but in the ensuing silence it rang like thunder in a clear sky. David’s eyes sparkled.

“Then I will pick you up right from here.” He smiled again, slightly leaning towards her, added “Thank you.” Then turned and with a confident step headed to the exit, accompanied by security.

In the corridor hung complete silence. Emily looked after him, feeling how something new burst into her life. Something to which she was completely unprepared.

The next day Emily could not find a place for herself. She constantly caught the glances of colleagues on herself. Nurses whispered, doctors exchanged looks, and Susan Thompson walked with a stone face, but from time to time threw meaningful glances at her.

“Well what, preparing for a meeting with the prince?” snorted one of the nurses, when Emily was changing after the shift. “Uh-huh,” — she answered absentmindedly, understanding that her voice sounds unconvincingly. She was not sure that she was making the right choice…

Why did she agree? But inside still warmed curiosity. What does he want to say? Why did he come? As soon as she left the hospital, she saw him. David stood near a black car, leaning on the hood.

When he noticed her, he smiled. “Hi.” Emily nodded, feeling her heart accelerating the rhythm.

“Hi.” David came closer, and only now she noticed that his gaze had become different. Earlier it was lost and broken.

Now confident. “Are you hungry?” — he asked. Emily was confused, but honestly nodded.

“Then I suggest having dinner.” They arrived at a cozy restaurant with soft light and unobtrusive music. David caringly moved her chair, sat opposite, and when the waiter left, suddenly seriously looked at her.

“Emily, I want to tell you something.” She froze, attentively watching his face. “You were the only person who treated me not as a problem, but as a person.”

Emily squeezed her fingers in a lock. “I just did my job.” “No, not just,” — David shook his head.

“There, in the hospital, everyone considered me written off. And you, you did not even ask who I am.” She felt something tremble inside.

“It doesn’t matter to me,” — she answered quietly. David smirked. “That’s why I am here.”

Emily slightly lowered her eyes, not knowing what to say. “Tell me about yourself,” — he suddenly asked. She was confused.

“And what do you want to know?” “Everything,” — he answered simply. Emily fell silent, but then still began to speak. About how she dreamed of being a nurse, how she fought for her place, how she first encountered the real pain of patients.

David listened to her without interrupting. When they left the restaurant, the air was fresh, and the streets quiet. “I will give you a ride,” — he offered…

Emily hesitated, but still nodded. When the car stopped near her house, David lingered for a second. Emily, his voice was soft, but there was something else in it.

She turned to him, waiting for continuation. But he just smiled. “Thank you for the evening.”

Emily nodded and, without turning around, disappeared into the entrance. She did not know what would happen next. But felt this is not the end yet.

The next day Emily returned to the hospital, deciding that everything would go into the usual routine. But she was wrong. Rumors spread instantly.

“Well what, what is it like to dine with a billionaire?” — asked one of the nurses with a smile, as soon as she changed into uniform. “And did he give you a gift? Or right away keys to the mansion?” — giggled another. Emily heavily sighed.

“Girls, let’s without this,” — she answered tiredly, hiding irritation. But the most unpleasant turned out to be that Susan Thompson finally found a new topic for barbs for herself. “Well what, Emily,” — she drawled, deliberately slowly passing by.

“I told you that everything is leading to this.” Emily did not answer, but felt anger boiling inside. “Why do they all think that I am with him for benefit?” She herself did not understand what was happening.

But something suggested, this story is just beginning. Several days passed. Emily tried not to think about David, but he seemed not going to disappear from her life.

First it was flowers. Simple, without a note. The orderly brought and put on the table in the Nurses’.

“This is for you,” — she said with a grin. Emily blushed, but did not answer anything. Then there was a call…

“Hi, Emily,” — his voice sounded softly. “Do you have time on the weekend?” She pondered. But something inside suggested.

“Don’t refuse.” “Okay,” — she answered quietly. On Saturday he picked her up from home.

This time without security, without pomp. “Where are we going?” — she asked, fastening the seat belt. Surprise! He smiled mysteriously.

And already in 20 minutes she saw in front of herself a horse riding club. Emily blinked. “Are you joking?” David smirked.

“No, I love horses and thought it would be interesting for you.” Emily was confused. She had never ridden horseback.

But when in an hour she was sitting in the saddle, holding the reins and feeling how her horse slowly walks across the field, she caught herself laughing. For real. Without anxiety, without fear.

She turned to David, who was riding nearby, and suddenly understood. This person is not at all the one he seemed in the hospital. But why did he choose her? Emily felt how the fresh wind plays with her hair, while she sat in the saddle, enjoying a leisurely horseback ride.

She still could not believe that this was happening to her. Nearby rode David confident, relaxed, completely different from that person whom she saw for the first time in the hospital bed. “How do you like it?” He turned to her, holding the reins with one hand.

Emily smiled. “Unexpectedly, but amazing.” David nodded, as if he knew it would be so.

“I have long wanted to ride again, but there was no time,” — he admitted. “And now there is?” Slyly clarified Emily. He smiled.

Now there appeared that for which it is worth finding time. Emily felt warmth spreading through her body. What is this? She tried not to analyze, just enjoyed the moment.

When they returned to the car, the sun was already beginning to tilt towards sunset. David opened the door for her, and Emily sat in the salon, still immersed in light intoxication from emotions. When the car started, he suddenly said.

“Emily, I am leaving in a week.” She sharply turned to him. “Where?” “To California,” — he answered calmly…

“I have business, affairs, obligations.” Emily felt something unpleasant squeeze her heart. Of course, she knew that he would not stay here.

But for some reason the thought that he would leave was unpleasant. For long, — she asked, trying to make her voice sound calm. “I don’t know,” — he admitted honestly.

Emily turned away to the window, watching as street lights float by. “I am not asking you to wait for me,” softly said David, “but I want you to know.” He fell silent.

Emily turned to him, waiting for continuation. “I will not forget you.” She felt chills run down her spine…

They drove in silence, but it was not awkward silence. But silence full of unspoken words. When he dropped her off at home, Emily already knew that this is not the end.

She looked after him when he left, and for the first time in a long time understood that her life would no longer be the same. A month passed. Emily tried not to think about him.

Life in the hospital went on as usual, endless shifts, patients, documents, fatigue, short breaks between calls, everything was the same as before, except for the emptiness inside. She did not wait for him. But every time someone entered the department, her heart involuntarily froze.

Every time a call rang from an unfamiliar number, she held her breath for a moment. But he did not appear. And now, on that day when Emily finally convinced herself that life had returned to its former course, everything changed.

She was sorting documents at the post, when suddenly noise sounded in the corridor. Dull male voices, hurried steps, muffled whispering. “What happened?,” yes here, began that, but suddenly fell silent, wide opening her eyes.

Emily frowned. And felt someone’s presence behind her back. She slowly turned around.

And froze. He. David.

He stood before her, in a perfectly fitting dark blue suit, reservedly smiling. Behind his back were two men in strict suits, probably bodyguards. But Emily looked only at him.

At the one whom she did not wait for, but thought about every day. And most of all she was struck by what he held in his hands. A huge bouquet of scarlet roses.

A wave of silence rolled down the corridor. Even those who mocked earlier, now did not dare to utter a word. Susan Thompson, who stood at the post, from surprise even did not immediately find what to say.

Emily felt her fingers grow cold, but warmth spread inside. He came. He did not forget…

David took a step forward, his dark eyes looking straight into her soul. Emily, he said in a low, slightly hoarse voice. She held her breath.

“You returned?” Her voice trembled. He smiled. “Yes, and I hope forever.”

And before she had time to understand what was happening, he knelt down on one knee. The corridor held its breath. Emily covered her lips with her palm, her heart pounding loudly in her ears…

David took out a velvet box from his pocket and opened it. On the soft velvet lay an elegant ring with a thin platinum rim and a shining stone. He looked at her firmly and confidently.

“I thought for a long time, Emily. But understood one thing, I do not want life without you.” She froze.

“You saved me, you changed me, you taught me to see the world differently.” He took a deep breath, and his voice suddenly became softer. “Become my wife!” Someone shouted.

Someone gasped. And then? The corridor exploded with applause. The nurses who teased her all these months, now openly wiped their eyes, wiping tear-streaked faces.

Even the orderlies, who were usually indifferent, smiled. Doctors nodded to each other, and even Susan Thompson could not hide the instantly surged emotions. She hastily turned away, but Emily managed to notice the gleam in her eyes.

But all this was somewhere in the background. Because the only thing that mattered now — is he. His eyes — full of hope.

His warm hand, extended to her. His words, from which everything inside contracted from emotions. Emily took a deep breath, and her lips trembled in a smile.

Yes. The corridor exploded with applause again. Someone even clapped louder, and someone shouted.

Bitter. Emily burst into laughter, and David, rising, carefully put the ring on her finger. She looked at him, at his sincere, full of relief smile, and felt that now is the most important moment in her life…

“Thank you,” — he whispered, pressing her to himself. And at this moment Emily understood finally. All this was not accidental.

Their meeting was not just a coincidence. He was her destiny. Emily could not even imagine that her life would turn exactly this way.

She came to the hospital to just do her job, help people and be useful. But fate decided otherwise, giving her a meeting that changed everything.

And what do you think, did Emily deserve her happiness? How would you act in her place? And could you imagine that a random meeting can lead to something so important?