FATED TO BE YOURS

Chapter 12: Six Months Later

As the morning sun streamed through the windows of the elegant dining hall, Grandma sat at the head of the table, sipping her tea as she enjoyed her breakfast. The housemaid bustled around, attending to Grandma's needs with practiced efficiency.

Soon, Sam entered the dining hall, assisted by the housemaid. With a gentle hand, the maid guided Sam to her seat and served her breakfast, ensuring she was comfortable before taking her own seat.

As they ate, Sam couldn't help but feel a sense of restlessness. Finally, she gathered the courage to broach the subject that had been weighing on her mind for weeks.

"Grandma," Sam began tentatively, "I was thinking... now that I've recovered, do you think I could return to my house and resume my work?"

Grandma paused, her brow furrowing with concern. She knew how much Sam missed her independence and her life outside the mansion, but she also worried about her granddaughter's health.

"Sam, darling, I'm not sure if that's wise," Grandma replied gently, her voice tinged with hesitation.

Sam's disappointment was evident as she frowned, her gaze pleading with her grandmother. "But Grandma, I'm feeling much better now. I promise I'll take it easy and not overexert myself," she insisted.

Grandma sighed, torn between her desire to make Sam happy and her concern for her well-being. Seeing the disappointment in Sam's eyes, she relented, her heart heavy with worry.

"Sam, my dear, I've agreed to let you return to work, but on one condition," Grandma began, her voice gentle yet firm.

Sam nodded, her expression eager as she listened intently to her grandmother's words.

"I want to make sure you have a plan in place to take care of yourself," Grandma continued, her eyes searching Sam's face for reassurance. "You've been through a lot, and I don't want you to overexert yourself."

Sam smiled warmly, grateful for her grandmother's concern. "Don't worry, Grandma. I've thought it through," she replied confidently. "I'll start with part-time hours and gradually ease back into my full workload. And I'll make sure to prioritize my health above everything else."

Grandma's eyes softened with pride as she reached out to squeeze Sam's hand affectionately. "That sounds like a sensible plan, my dear," she said, her voice filled with love. "Just remember to listen to your body and don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it."

Sam nodded, her determination shining through. "I will, Grandma. Thank you for always looking out for me," she said gratefully.

With a shared smile, Sam and Grandma embraced, their bond strengthened by their shared journey through adversity. As Sam prepared to embark on this new chapter of her life, she knew that with her grandmother's love and support, she could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Still sitting across from each other in the tranquil ambiance of the dining room, Sam and Grandma shared a rare moment of vulnerability, their hearts heavy with the weight of the past.

"I have to admit, Grandma, I was terrified during that incident," Sam confessed, her voice tinged with lingering fear. "I thought... I thought I wouldn't make it through that day."

Grandma's eyes softened with empathy as she reached out to grasp Sam's hand in hers. "Oh, my dear, you have no idea how scared I was too," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "I couldn't bear the thought of losing you."

"Grandma, I can't stop thinking about the person who saved my life. Do you know anything else about them?" she asked, her voice tinged with anticipation.

Grandma nodded, her expression thoughtful as she recalled the events of that fateful day. "Well, darling, it's quite a remarkable story," she began, her voice tinged with emotion.

She recounted the tense moments in the ICU when the medical team was desperately searching for a heart donor. "It was a race against time," Grandma explained, her eyes distant as she remembered the fear and uncertainty of those hours.

Then, she spoke of a woman named Ice who had approached her in the emergency room, offering her deceased brother's heart as a donation. "Ice had overheard our conversation and felt a deep empathy for our situation," Grandma recounted, her voice filled with gratitude for the stranger's selflessness.

But Grandma also explained that it wasn't a decision Ice made lightly. "Ice had to consider her brother's fiancée, who was also grieving," she added, her tone somber as she reflected on the complexity of the situation.

Sam listened intently, her heart swelling with gratitude for the person who had given her a second chance at life. "I wish I could thank Ice and her supposed to be sister-in-law in person," she murmured, her voice filled with emotion.

As Grandma continued to eat her breakfast, Sam's thoughts lingered on the identity of her heart donor, her mind filled with gratitude and curiosity. "Grandma, it's just incredible to think that someone like Ice's sister-in-law would make such a selfless decision," Sam remarked, her voice tinged with admiration.

Grandma nodded in agreement, her expression thoughtful as she chewed her food. "Indeed, my dear. It takes an extraordinary amount of courage and compassion to make such a decision, especially in the midst of grief," she replied, her voice tinged with respect for the woman who had given Sam the gift of life.

Sam's brow furrowed with concern as she thought about the woman who had lost her fiancé. "I can't even imagine what Ice's sister-in-law must be going through," she murmured, her voice filled with empathy.

Grandma reached out to pat Sam's hand reassuringly. "I'm sure it's been a difficult journey for her, my dear. But in her grief, she found the strength to give someone else a second chance at life," she said gently, her words a testament to the power of love and compassion.

Sam nodded, her heart heavy with gratitude for the woman who had made such a profound sacrifice. "I hope she finds some comfort in knowing that her fiancé's legacy lives on through me," she said softly, her voice filled with emotion.

Grandma smiled warmly, her eyes shining with pride for her granddaughter's compassion. "I'm sure she does, my dear. And I have no doubt that she would be proud of the person you've become," she replied, her words a reminder of the resilience and strength that had carried Sam through her own journey of healing.