Chapter 25N
It felt like waking up from a very long sleep–so long that I had almost forgotten what it was like to open my eyes. The hospital’s white lights were blinding. The first faces I saw were the Mitchell family. I gave a faint smile, though my lips felt stiff.
I truly thought I would never wake up again.
“Thank God you really woke up from the coma, Bella.” Aunt Caroline’s voice cracked through her sobs as she hugged me tightly, as if afraid I’d sink back into my long sleep.
My body was weak. My mind was hazy. I didn’t understand anything. Days passed, and only then did I begin to grasp it all–I had been in a coma for one year, ever since the shooting incident. I survived… thanks to someone so noble, who had donated their heart to me.”
“I want to visit the grave of the person who gave me a second chance,” I said one day, my voice barely a whisper.}}
Harry, who had been the one by my side most often since I regained consciousness, nodded immediately. “I’ll take you there.“}]
And once my body was strong enough, we went. The car moved slowly toward the cemetery. It was quiet. Only the sound of the wind rustling the leaves outside the window broke the silence.
“Harry,” I finally spoke, “Where’s Anya? Why hasn’t she come to see me since I woke up?“}
He didn’t answer right away. He just let out a long sigh. “She’s… you’ll see her soon.“}]
I nodded, slightly relieved. “I’m glad… I’m happy she’s okay.”
We arrived. Harry got out first, holding tightly to a bouquet of white lilies he had brought. His steps were heavy as he walked down the Rath between the gravestones. I followed slowly behind him. For some reason, my heart felt tight. Strange.!]
We stopped in front of a grave. Harry gently placed the bouquet down, then ran his fingers across the tombstone’s surface, as if caressing the cheek of someone he deeply missed.
“We’re here, love…” he said softly.
I froze. Did he just say love?}
And then my eyes landed on the name carved into the tombstone–and the world seemed to stop turning.”
Anya’s full name was etched into the stone.
My body trembled. My knees went weak, barely able to hold me up. My chest felt like it was being crushed from the inside. I covered my mouth with my hand, trying to stifle a sob, but the tears couldn’t be held back.
“She couldn’t fight her illness, Bella,” Harry’s voice was heavy. “In the sixth month of our marriage… she passed away. You were still in a coma, and the hospital struggled to find a donor. Anya… she knew her time was short. And before she truly left, she gave you her heart.”
I broke down, my breathing ragged.
“She wanted you to live. She believed that with her heart inside you, a part of her would keep living too. She even made me promise to take care of you. She asked everyone to love you the way they loved her.”
The sky suddenly turned gray. But it wasn’t the clouds–it was my heart. I felt alive, but at the same time… it was as if I had just lost a part of myself. Anya… that golden–hearted woman… had given me a new life.”
The days that followed passed slowly. I tried to accept the reality that the heart beating in my chest now… belonged to my best friend. It was hard. I felt guilty. Like I had stolen her life.}
But Harry was always there, cheering me on.
“If you keep drowning in guilt, it’s the same as wasting Anya’s sacrifice, Bella.“}}
And I began to rise from my despair.
Lar
I returned to campus. Continued the studies I had once left behind. In between, I opened a small food stall in front of my rented house. I kept myself busy. Tried to be productive.
Time passed. I graduated from Kensington University as the top student. Job offers came flooding in, but I chose to start my own company. I wanted to build everything from scratch–with my own hands and heart.
One day, a group of vloggers came to my food stall. They wanted to know the secret to my success.
“I was given a second chance at life,” I answered when asked. “And I don’t want to waste it. I want my time to matter–not just for me, for others too.“}
And then came that question…}
“Everyone sees your success, Miss Bella. But what about love? Have you found your true love?”
but
I gave a faint smile. Silence crept into my heart. All this time, I had never truly thought about love. Maybe because of trauma. Maybe because I no longer believed in it. I kept my distance. Too afraid to get hurt again. So, how could I seek love… if I didn’t even dare to open my heart?!
-0
“Drink this. You must be stressed after all their questions earlier,” said Harry, handing me a glass
I took it. “Thank you…” I sipped it slowly. He really understood me best.”
Then suddenly…
“What if we just got married?”}
of
cold drink.
02 PM
“Drink this. You must be stressed after all their questions earlier,” said Harry, handing me a glass of cold drink.
I took it. “Thank you…” I sipped it slowly. He really understood me best.”
Then suddenly…
“What if we just got married?“#
I almost choked. “What?!“}
Harry let out a small laugh, then leaned back in his chair. “We’ve both been alone for a long time. I don’t have any other woman in my life… and you’re allergic to any man, except me, getting close to you.“}
I narrowed my eyes. “Are you rambling, or are you stressed because Aunt Caroline is pressuring you to get married again?“}
“Both,” he replied casually. “But seriously, Bella. After Anya… you’re the only one who’s been close to me. We’re a good match, aren’t we? At the very least, we’re comfortable.“}
I scoffed, but a small smile crept onto my face. “Are you proposing to a girl or your futsal team?“}
Harry chuckled, then looked at me seriously. “Just give it a try–who knows, maybe we’re meant to be.“}
I fell silent. My heart–or maybe Anya’s heart–started pounding uncontrollably. Suddenly, I also remembered the little letter Anya left for me. In that letter, she wrote, “I don’t want to pressure you anymore, Bella. But if someday you and Harry fall in love, then I’d be the happiest person. You have my blessing. Take care of Harry, Bella. Make sure he lives well.“}
Maybe… This is the universe’s way of bringing two broken hearts together into one hope.>>
And for the first time, I thought… Maybe… I can fall in love again.
THE END
