I Would do Anything for You, My Love

As the fork scrapes along the plate, Noah stares blankly ahead, lost in thought, feeling nothing but loneliness. At 28, he’s an Australian man living alone in a small town called Wilga, with bushland on one side and an empty house on the other. His baggy, ripped t-shirt and scruffy facial hair reflect the monotony of his life—a cycle of waking, eating, working, and sleeping, day after day. But today is different; it’s Saturday, and as a horn blares outside, he heads to the window, curiosity sparked.

A young woman stands in the yard of the house next door. She has sun-kissed skin, long brown hair that shimmers in the light, and a yellow dress that looks like it was made just for her. Noah feels something unexpected—a pull, like he’s falling in love at first sight.

"Could she be a new neighbor?" he wonders, eyes fixed on her as she glances around.

The day goes on, and Noah tries to distract himself by watching Swamp Kings, but his mind keeps drifting to the girl next door. Then, there’s a knock at the door. Startled, he mutters, “Who could that be?” When he opens it, there she is, looking a bit shy but smiling. He’s captivated, barely catching her words as she introduces herself.

“Hi, I’m Natalie. I just moved here from Ukraine. I really hope we can be friends,” she says, her voice as warm as her smile.

“It’s great to meet you, Natalie. I’m Noah,” he replies, trying to sound casual but nervous about coming off too rough around the edges. He invites her inside, quickly tidying up a chair for her. They talk, and he learns she’s 26 and here for a fresh start. For the first time in ages, Noah feels like he’s truly connecting with someone.

Weeks pass, and Noah and Natalie grow close. She’s kind and thoughtful, but lately, she seems troubled. One evening, he asks gently, “Natalie, is everything okay?”

She looks at him, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. “Noah, I have to tell you something…” Her voice is barely a whisper. She confesses she fled Ukraine to escape a group of dangerous men, only to receive a letter warning her to “watch her every move.” The fear is palpable in her voice.

Stunned, Noah wraps her in his arms. “No matter who they are, I’ll protect you,” he says softly. “I think…no, I know I love you.” She looks up at him, teary-eyed but smiling, and admits she loves him too. They share a gentle kiss, and in that moment, Noah knows he would do anything for her.

As the weeks turn to months, Noah and Natalie’s bond deepens, and one morning, while watering her garden, he decides it’s time to take their love further. She’s carrying their baby now, and he’s found his grandmother’s old ring, planning to propose. He sees her standing in her yard, that yellow dress catching the sun, when suddenly four men in suits appear, surrounding her.

“Noah! Help me, please!” she screams.

Without thinking, he bolts toward her, but as he gets closer, he sees a gun aimed at her. Heart pounding, he makes a split-second decision, lunging forward. The bullet meant for Natalie pierces his chest. As he collapses, he knows he’s saved her and their unborn child. His vision fades as he hears Natalie’s sobs, holding onto her as long as he can before darkness overtakes him.

A year later, Natalie sits by Noah’s grave, cradling their baby boy. “I named him after you, Noah,” she whispers, laying flowers on the grave. “You gave me the chance to live, and I’ll never let him forget the father he had.” Tears spill down her cheeks as she looks at the ring he’d planned to give her. “I would have said yes,” she smiles softly, “I love you, Noah.”