Richard scanned the room, spotting an inhaler on a cluttered counter nearby. He retrieved it, praying it might help until professional help arrived. He handed it to Ethan, who, with trembling hands, gently placed it against his mother’s lips. Maria took a shallow breath, and then another, slightly deeper.

The sound of sirens broke the tension, and moments later, paramedics burst into the apartment. Richard stepped back, allowing them to take over, explaining quickly what he knew. The paramedics worked efficiently, administering oxygen and checking vital signs.

Richard stood with Ethan, his hand resting reassuringly on the boy’s shoulder. He glanced around the modest apartment, taking in the faded family photos and the small signs of a life lived with determined resilience. It was a world far removed from his own, yet one that had become all too real in the span of a morning.

The paramedics stabilized Maria, loading her onto a stretcher. As they prepared to transport her to the hospital, Richard promised Ethan he’d follow right behind. The boy, though frightened, seemed comforted by Richard’s presence.

As Richard drove to the hospital, Ethan sat quietly in the passenger seat, clutching his mother’s purse. Richard’s mind raced. Here was a woman working for his company, a name amidst thousands. Yet today, her life story intersected with his in a way that demanded attention and action.