As they waited, Richard learned that Maria was a single mother working tirelessly to support her son. The boy, named Jamie, spoke of her with admiration and love, painting a picture of resilience and sacrifice that starkly contrasted with Richard’s own life of privilege and power. Each word from Jamie deepened the connection Richard felt, drawing him into a narrative that was both foreign and profoundly moving.

The ambulance arrived, and Maria was taken to the hospital. Richard stayed with Jamie, promising the frightened boy that he would ensure his mother received the best care. It was a promise he intended to keep, not just out of a sense of duty but because something within him had shifted.