Night-shift nurse Alex finds purpose beyond routine when he learns of his elderly patient George’s single regret—a love lost at sea. Teaming up with his friend Kate, Alex embarks on a heartfelt search for George’s long-lost love, uncovering life’s hidden truths about timing, courage, and second chances.
The quiet night felt like a rare gift, though Alex wasn’t quite sure what to do with it. His shifts usually kept him running, but tonight the halls were hushed, the patients asleep, and his duties light.
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The dimly lit corridor stretched ahead as he texted his friend and roommate, Kate. She was his go-to for everything—from sharing funny moments to venting on tough days.
They’d been schoolmates once, but only last year, when they both responded to the same apartment listing, had they finally gotten to know each other. Living in neighboring units had transformed them from casual acquaintances into close friends.
Just as Alex was sending Kate a sticker of a yawning cat, a nurse approached him. “Alex, George is asking for you,” she said with a warm smile.
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“Thanks,” Alex replied, slipping his phone into his pocket and heading toward George’s room. George was 88 but brimming with energy, more vibrant than many half his age.
George also had a wealth of stories, having worked as a sailor in his youth. As Alex entered, he found the old man eagerly shuffling a deck of cards, his face lighting up at the sight of his visitor.
Alex pulled a chair close to George’s bed and sat down, eyeing the deck of cards in George’s hands. “Couldn’t find anyone to play with?” he asked, smiling.
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“Everyone turned me down. Can you believe it?” George replied, shaking his head with a grin.
“Well, it’s 2 a.m., so I get it,” Alex said, settling in. “Why don’t you try to get some sleep?”
George shook his head. “I just can’t fall asleep.”
“I could ask the doctor to prescribe something,” Alex offered.
George chuckled. “Alex, I’m 88. I’ve had more than enough sleep in my life.”
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Alex laughed and took the deck, shuffling it. He dealt the cards, and they played quietly for a while. Then, George laid down a card and glanced up, his expression shifting.
“Dr. Martinez told me I only have a few months left,” George said softly.
Alex’s heart sank. He saw patients face death often, but it was never easy, especially with George. “Oh…”
George smiled gently. “It’s okay. I’m ready. I’ve had a long, full life. No regrets—well, except one.” His voice drifted off, eyes distant.
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“What’s that?” Alex asked, leaning forward.
“There was someone I loved. We met on a ship, but we had to say goodbye.”
Alex raised an eyebrow. “I thought women were bad luck on ships.”
George chuckled. “His name was David Smith.”
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“That’s…unexpected,” Alex said, smiling. “Did you ever try to find him?”
“No. It’s been too long. I doubt he remembers me,” George replied.
“You never know,” Alex said, just as George laid down his last card.
“Looks like you lost,” George announced, grinning with triumph.
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Alex laughed, already reaching to shuffle the deck for another round.
When Alex got home in the morning, he found Kate leaning sleepily against the kitchen counter. She was still in her pajamas, sipping coffee slowly. Working from home meant she rarely rushed.
“Hey, how was your shift?” Kate asked, rubbing her eyes.
“George got some bad news,” Alex replied, setting his bag down. “He found out he only has a few months left.”
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“Oh no, that’s so sad.” Kate’s face fell. “I like George.”
Alex nodded, knowing how much Kate cared. She’d met some of his patients before when she volunteered. George especially liked her and often teased Alex, asking why he hadn’t asked her out.
Alex usually brushed it off. He’d had a crush on Kate back in high school, but now they were just friends. Dating might make things complicated, especially since they were roommates.
“George told me his only regret is not being with his true love,” Alex said. “I want to find him. Will you help?”
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Kate’s eyes lit up. “A love story? I’m in!” She poured herself more coffee with a grin.
In the days that followed, Alex and Kate worked together to find all the Davids with the last name Smith. After hours of searching, they managed to narrow it down to six possible matches.
“That’s still a long list,” Alex said, scanning the names.
“Are you kidding?” Kate replied, laughing. “When we started, it felt like there were a million Davids out there. Now we’re down to just six!”
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“A million, huh?” Alex teased, raising an eyebrow.
“Well, close to that,” Kate said, chuckling. They shared a smile, enjoying the rare moment of progress.
“We can start visiting them on weekends,” Alex suggested. “It’ll be easier when I don’t have work.”
“Sounds good to me,” Kate agreed, nodding. Just then, her phone buzzed, and a wide smile spread across her face.
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“Did you win the lottery?” Alex asked, watching her reaction.
“No, it’s Troy. We met at a conference,” Kate explained. “He just asked me out. I think he likes me.”
Alex paused. “And do you like him?”
“Maybe,” Kate said, grinning as she walked to her room, phone in hand. Alex watched her go, feeling a strange pang he couldn’t explain.
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For the next two weeks, Alex and Kate met with four Davids, but none turned out to be George’s long-lost love.
David #1, a cheerful older man, was happily married with kids, grandkids, and even great-grandkids. David #2, a spry gentleman, was engaged to a woman three decades younger, a detail Kate and Alex found surprising.
When they tried to meet David #3, they discovered he had passed away years ago. Finally, David #4, who claimed he had sailed many seas, eventually admitted he’d never actually set foot on a ship.
After each visit, they sat with George, sharing each David’s story. He listened quietly, nodding along but showing no spark of recognition.
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“Just give it up. It’s hopeless,” George muttered, his voice tired.
“Nothing’s hopeless when it comes to love,” Kate replied firmly. “And we still have two Davids left. One of them has to be yours.”
George looked away, sighing. “What if it’s David #3—the one who’s already passed?” His cough grew rougher, a reminder of his weakening health.
“Come on, George, don’t be so pessimistic,” Alex said gently, patting his arm.
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The next week, Alex and Kate set off to meet David #5, a fisherman living by the docks.
“I have a good feeling about this one,” Kate said as they drove.
“Oddly, so do I,” Alex replied, smiling.
When they finally met David #5, Alex and Kate learned he had, in fact, been on the same ship as George at the same time.
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“Do you remember him?” Alex asked hopefully. “He was kind, maybe a bit of a pessimist, and he was really good at cards.”
Kate jumped in, adding, “Oh, and you were in love with him!”
David #5 looked at them, shaking his head with a slight smile. “Sorry, but no. Doesn’t ring a bell.”
Kate’s face fell. “Well, that’s disappointing.”
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Seeing their letdown, David #5 offered, “How about I treat you both to lunch for your trouble?”
Kate brightened. “I’d love that! I’m starving.”
“I know just the spot,” David #5 said, smiling as he led them out of his house.
As they walked, Alex noticed Kate pulling her sweater tighter, shivering a bit. He remembered how he’d reminded her to bring a warmer coat, but instead of saying anything, he slipped off his jacket and gently draped it over her shoulders. Out of the corner of his eye, Alex saw David #5 watching them, a small, knowing smile on his face.
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“You two make a lovely couple,” David #5 said.
“Oh…no…no,” Alex stammered, his face turning a bit red.
“We’re just friends,” Alex and Kate replied at the same time, exchanging a quick, awkward glance.
After lunch with David #5, they headed home, feeling tired.
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“It’s a shame he wasn’t the one,” Alex said. “I really thought he was.”
“Or maybe he just isn’t brave enough to say it,” Kate replied thoughtfully.
Alex headed out alone to meet David #6, feeling a bit strange without Kate by his side. She was out with Troy, so it was just him for this visit.
David #6 greeted Alex with a bleary gaze; it didn’t take long to realize the man struggled with alcohol and couldn’t remember much of anything, let alone George. As Alex was about to leave, his phone buzzed—a message from a nurse.
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George was in critical condition and might not have long. Without hesitation, Alex texted Kate: “David #6 is a no-go. Heading to the hospital; George is in bad shape.”
He didn’t expect a reply, knowing Kate was likely still on her date with Troy. But as he arrived at the hospital, he spotted her standing by the entrance, arms crossed and eyes searching for him.
“Kate?” he asked, surprised. “I thought you were out with Troy.”
She nodded, a soft, determined look in her eyes. “I was, but George needs us. I couldn’t stay away.”
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Together, they hurried down the quiet hospital hallways toward George’s room. Just outside, they spotted David #5, sitting with his head down, lost in thought. Kate stopped, placing a gentle hand on Alex’s arm.
“I think it’s best if you talk to him alone,” she whispered. “My excitement might make him back away again.”
Alex nodded, understanding. He approached David #5, who looked up with weary eyes as Alex sat beside him. David shifted uncomfortably.
“I can’t bring myself to go in there,” he confessed. “I thought I could do it, but… it’s hard.”
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“You’ve waited so long already,” Alex replied quietly. “Why not now? You had the chance to tell us before, but you held back.”
David sighed, looking at his hands. “I’ve spent so many years hiding this part of me. It’s not easy to change.”
“It’s better late than never,” Alex said gently. “He’s right there, on the other side of this door. Just a few steps away. Isn’t it worth taking that chance now?”
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After a long pause, David nodded and slowly stood, facing the door. Before he went in, he looked at Alex and nodded toward Kate, who stood watching, her eyes misty. “Take your own advice, Alex. You still have time.”
David slipped into the room, leaving Alex standing with Kate. Seeing her eyes filled with emotion, Alex realized the truth in David’s words. He walked over to her, his heart racing.
“Kate, I—” he began, but she stepped forward and kissed him. Surprised but relieved, Alex wrapped his arms around her, knowing that some things in life were worth the risk, no matter the complications.
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Woman Stumbles Upon Blueprint of Her Cottage, Then Sees Its Center Marked in Red
Anna returned home from the cafe, packed her belongings, and drove to her grandfather’s house in the countryside. It was a small blue cottage with a wooden door, very different from Anna’s in Cleveland, but here she could find peace and a well-deserved break from housework and, especially, Edward’s lies.
The woman creaked open the gate upon arrival, but as she took a step forward towards the front door, she noticed a man lying unconscious in the yard with a shovel beside him. Blood had covered every square inch of the shovel as if someone had hit him on the head with it.
Anna called 911 right away and rushed the man to the hospital. Fortunately, they made it in time, and the man was out of danger. But when she got home from the hospital, she had another surprise in store for her. Her dear husband Edward was waiting for her at the cottage.
“I have been searching for you the whole day, Anna! You just disappeared without a trace. Where have you been?” Edward inquired.
“Because you were so preoccupied with your work and ‘client meetings,’ I decided to take a vacation with my baby,” Anna said indifferently. “It’s not as if I have to ask you for your permission for everything. Anyway, what are you doing here?”
Edward’s tone abruptly shifted. “Are you upset about something, honey? Do you want me to get you something?”
“No, Edward,” Anna retorted. “Right now, all I need is sleep. So, please move. And, yes, I’ll be sleeping alone, so you can sleep outside on the couch!”
Anna went to bed, but her thoughts kept returning to the man she’d discovered unconscious in her yard. What exactly was he doing here? Was she on the lookout for something? Is he familiar with me? And how did he get a head injury? Her head was racing with questions.
Anna fell asleep while trying to find answers for her inquisitive mind and was awakened by the sun the following day. It was mildly cold, so she reached out for the blanket, but she couldn’t find it.
She awoke, irritated, and was about to yell at Edward if he’d pulled it to his side when she realized she’d been sleeping alone.
However, as Anna looked around the room, she noticed it was in a terrible state. The blanket had been thrown on the floor, her room’s cupboard had open drawers, and her luggage had been opened and rummaged through.
If this is you, Edward, I swear you’re dead today! Anna was furious as she dashed into the living room. But that space was in no better shape. It was even messier than she’d found it when she first entered the house, and Edward was nowhere to be found.
She was about to go outside and check the yard for him, but just then, her gaze was drawn to a crumpled sheet of paper on the ground. When she picked it up, she discovered it was a blueprint for her cottage with a red circle at its center.
She dashed to the loft as it came under the circled region and discovered that, too, was messed up. Edward had vanished as if he didn’t exist, and the yard had been dug out in one corner.
Worried, she was about to call him, but just then she heard a voice from behind. “I’m sorry, but I hope I didn’t disturb you!” it said.
Anna turned around and discovered the man she’d saved the previous day standing at the doorstep. “Oh, it’s you! Are you all right now?” she worriedly inquired.
The man sighed as he looked around Anna’s house, which was in a state of disarray. “I was taken to the hospital on time thanks to your assistance,” he said. “By the way, my name is Andrew. Can I come inside, if you don’t mind? I’d like to speak with you about something…”
Anna offered tea to Andrew, and that’s when he started telling her the whole story. Andrew turned out to have cared for Anna’s grandfather in his final days. So, before his death, her grandfather told the kind man about the treasure hidden in the yard near his house.
“He also gave me a letter,” Andrew explained, “and it was addressed to you to an address in Florida. I went there, but you’d already left, so I waited until you came back so I could give it to you. I wasn’t there on his funeral day; otherwise, we could have met that day.”
Anna opened the letter and began reading it.
“Dear Anna, I hope you’re doing well,” the letter began, “I know it might come as a shock to you, but I have a box hidden in my yard, and there’s a map to it.”
“My grandfather gave it to me before he died, and I wanted to give it to you on your wedding day, but I’m sorry to say that your husband already has his eye on it. Edward is not who he appears to be. He came to see me after you two got married and overheard me talking to Andrew.”
“By the way, Andrew is the man who will most likely deliver this letter to you. The brooch you’ll find inside the box is worth millions of dollars, and it is a relic of our ancestors that has been passed down to us. Edward will not find it as long as he does not obtain the map. I hope you find it and keep it in a safe place. Love, Grandpa Silas.”
As Anna finished the letter, she showed a picture of Edward to Andrew. “Have you seen him around, or do you know him?”
“Oh, yes, he’s the man who comes here often. When I came here that day to clean the yard, I found him here, and he hit me over the head with a shovel.”
When Andrew said that, it all made sense: Edward’s sudden appearance at the cottage and his sudden disappearance. Anna immediately called the police and informed them of the situation. In no time, Edward was apprehended, and he confessed to the theft, and Anna was able to recover the brooch.
After the incident, Anna decided to cut all ties with Edward, who’s serving time in prison, and she and Andrew are now raising her son, Brandon, together.
What can we learn from this story?
You can’t escape karma. Edward decided to flee with the ancient brooch, but he was apprehended and punished for his actions.
Everything in life happens for a reason. If Anna hadn’t caught Edward cheating on her that day, she would never have found out the truth about Edward.
If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a young mother who found an old crib on her doorstep with an envelope inside.
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