The weeks slipped by quietly, as if the world had conspired to place a distance between Sharon and Leo Smith after their last clash at the bank. Their fiery exchange had left Sharon with a mix of irritation and fleeting amusement, though she buried it quickly under the weight of Zack's indifference and her own busy life. For Leo, the memory of that stubborn, sharp-tongued woman lingered in corners of his mind, only to be dismissed each time as an insignificant annoyance.
They forgot about each other at least, that was what they both told themselves.
Sharon focused on something new. A month later, her Industrial Training began. Human Nutrition and Dietetics it was the part of her program she had been anticipating. Finally, all the theories she had learned would be tested in the field, under the supervision of real professionals in a hospital setting. She was nervous on her first day, walking into the large teaching hospital with her crisp file tucked under her arm, her plain but neat gown fluttering slightly with each step.
Hospitals had a way of reminding people of fragility, of limits, of the very humanity most tried to forget while rushing through life. Sharon inhaled deeply as she entered, whispering a short prayer under her breath. She wasn't just here to clock hours for her program she wanted to help, even in small ways.
Her supervisor, a woman in her late thirties named Mrs. Edet, was known for her strictness but also for her deep compassion toward patients. Sharon quickly realized she would be pushed to her limits, but that was exactly what she needed.
That Tuesday morning, after a brief staff meeting, Mrs. Edet asked Sharon to accompany her to a health counseling session. They had two patients to guide elderly women recently diagnosed with diabetes. The goal: help them understand what to eat, how to live, and how to manage the disease without losing hope.
Sharon followed quietly into the small counseling office, her notebook in hand. Inside, two women sat waiting.
One was a dignified elderly woman with striking silver hair wrapped in a soft scarf, her posture still regal despite her frail frame. Her warm brown eyes carried both wisdom and fatigue. The other woman beside her was younger, perhaps in her late fifties, graceful, her features sharp but softened by the smile she wore when she saw Mrs. Edet walk in. They carried the air of people used to respect—quiet, confident, not arrogant, but deeply aware of who they were.
Sharon didn't know that these two women were none other than Leo Smith's mother, Mrs. Evelyn Smith, and his grandmother, Nana Smith.
To Sharon, they were just patients. And to them, she was just another student at least for now.
"Good morning, madams," Mrs. Edet greeted warmly, pulling a chair. "This is Sharon, my student intern. She'll be observing and assisting today."
The women smiled at her, and Sharon responded with a polite nod, settling in beside her supervisor.
As the session began, Sharon noticed the hesitation in Nana's eyes when the word diabetes came up. Sharon leaned forward slightly, her voice soft but steady.
"Ma, it's okay to feel worried," she said, carefully choosing her words. "But diabetes doesn't mean the end of good food or good life. It just means a change a new way of living that can still be full and enjoyable. Think of it as giving your body the kindness it deserves after all these years of carrying you."
Nana blinked at her, surprised by the tenderness in Sharon's tone. Evelyn, Leo's mum, tilted her head, her interest piqued.
Mrs. Edet continued with the technical details, breaking down the dos and don'ts of diabetic diets. Sharon, however, noticed when Nana frowned at some of the restrictions. That was when Sharon quietly asked, "What foods do you love most, ma?"
"Bread," Nana admitted with a chuckle. "Sweet bread in the morning with tea. My guilty pleasure."
Sharon smiled warmly. "Then we'll make adjustments instead of taking everything away. Whole wheat bread, smaller portions, paired with vegetables or eggs. It's about balance, not punishment."
As the session deepened, Sharon's calmness became the bridge between medical jargon and human understanding. She pulled out a neatly designed meal sheet she had prepared earlier. On it, she had carefully outlined meal options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacks, each tailored with alternatives that felt realistic rather than impossible.
"This will help you, ma," she said, handing it to Nana. "It's not about perfection; it's about consistency. And don't forget water is your best friend."
Nana accepted the sheet as though it were gold. Evelyn leaned closer, scanning it with interest.
"You made this yourself?" Evelyn asked.
"Yes, ma," Sharon replied shyly. "I like to prepare guides that patients can take home. It helps them remember."
There was a pause a warm one. Nana reached over and squeezed Sharon's hand lightly.
"You have a gentle spirit, my daughter," she said softly. "Not many people explain things this way. You make it less frightening."
Sharon's chest warmed at the compliment, but she only smiled humbly.
Then Evelyn asked, "What's your name again, dear?"
Sharon straightened a little. "Sharon. Sharon Light."
The reaction was immediate. Evelyn blinked, her brows rising. "Sharon… Light? Did you say Light?"
"Yes, ma," Sharon replied, a little confused by the surprise in her voice.
"As in… the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Light of Light Industries?"
"Yes, ma," Sharon answered again, this time more slowly.
Evelyn's lips parted, astonishment coloring her features. "My goodness… I didn't know Mr. Light had a grown daughter. What a small world."
Nana's eyes brightened with recognition. "Light Industries? Oh, child… your father is a good man. Your mother too. We knew of them everyone in this city did. Such a respected family."
The pride that Sharon usually kept tucked away stirred faintly. She didn't flaunt her background; she had always preferred people to see her for who she was, not the family name. Still, hearing Nana and Evelyn speak so kindly of her parents softened her heart.
"I'm honored, ma," Sharon said with a small smile. "But I'm just Sharon. Still learning, still growing."
Evelyn chuckled. "Humble too. That is rare." She leaned toward her mother. "Mama, do you hear? Mr. Light's daughter is the one counseling us. Imagine!"
Nana nodded happily. "The world is indeed round. Your parents would be proud of you, child. Very proud."
Sharon lowered her gaze, hiding the shimmer in her eyes.
What Sharon didn't know was that this moment this gentle, chance encounter was a thread weaving her life closer to Leo Smith's, even without his presence in the room. His mother and grandmother left the session deeply impressed, carrying not only the meal plan but also the memory of the young woman with grace and fire in her eyes.
For Sharon, it was just another day of doing her best. For them, it was the beginning of curiosity.
And for fate? It was only the beginning of tying knots neither Sharon nor Leo could yet untangle.