The silence in the car was thick, almost suffocating, but Katherina’s mind was a whirlwind of questions. Why was Michael doing this? What did he mean by saving her life? But before she could voice any of these thoughts, Michael spoke.

“I owe you an explanation—and an apology,” he began, his voice tinged with a solemn sincerity. “What happened to you was unfair. You acted braver than anyone in that room, and you were punished for it. I’m going to make things right.”

Katherina blinked, unsure of how to respond. The reality of her situation—a cleaner fired with no way to pay rent—loomed large. But Michael’s words cut through the fog of her worries, sparking a flicker of gratitude and anticipation.