When Mr. Lawson finally excused himself to take a phone call, Emily exhaled sharply, her shoulders sagging. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice laden with sincerity. “I didn’t know what else to do.”

Derrick nodded, his earlier reservations overshadowed by empathy. “It’s okay. I hope everything works out for you.”

Emily’s eyes softened with appreciation. “You didn’t have to do this. I’ll never forget it.”

The moment of shared understanding was unexpectedly profound. Derrick realized that this encounter, strange as it was, had allowed him to see a side of himself he’d been neglecting—a willingness to step outside his comfort zone and help someone without reservation.