Inside, Liam and Sophie greeted Emily with weak smiles, their eyes lighting up at the sight of food. Michael helped unpack the groceries, noting the sparse conditions. He turned to Emily. “You’re doing an incredible job,” he said sincerely. “But you shouldn’t have to do it alone.”

Emily looked at him, his words sinking in. She had carried the weight of the world on her small shoulders for so long that she had forgotten what it felt like to share the load. As Michael said his goodbyes, promising to check in soon, Emily realized that she had found more than just a helping hand—she had found an ally.