“You know,” he said, leaning in slightly, “sometimes, it’s not about working harder, but about the support you receive from the people around you.”

She blinked, his words striking a chord. “I guess so,” she replied, uncertainty laced with hope.

Daniel gave her a reassuring nod before moving toward the store’s small office at the back. He found the door slightly ajar, the supervisor inside ranting on the phone about an order mix-up. When the call ended, Daniel knocked lightly before stepping in.