Yet he stopped.
He looked down at the scuffed boots, the chapped hands, the fierce resolve shining through her exhaustion. People streamed past them as if the girl didn’t exist—but Ethan saw her clearly.
“You’ll repay me someday?” he asked, one eyebrow lifting.
“Yes, sir,” she said without hesitation. “I promise.”
Something about the certainty in her voice unsettled him. It wasn’t childish hope—it was a vow.
Instead of pulling out cash and moving on, Ethan surprised even himself. He gestured toward the convenience store on the corner and held the door open for her.
Inside, the clerk stared, confused by the sight of a powerful executive escorting a shivering child down the aisle. Ethan ignored the looks. He picked up milk, bread, and a few simple groceries, placing each item gently into her backpack as though they mattered.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“Maya,” she replied. “My brother’s Noah.”
Ethan nodded. “Take care of him. That’s repayment enough.”