Emma trudged through the pouring rain, her sweater soaked and her spirit heavy. At twenty-three, life had already taken too much. A year earlier, she lost both her parents in a car accident, leaving her alone with grief, bills, and student loans. Her mother’s words echoed in her mind: Tough times don’t last forever. Her bank balance said otherwise — just fifty dollars. Seeking shelter, Emma stepped into a small grocery store. As she picked out the cheapest essentials, she noticed a man in a gray hoodie ahead of her at checkout, nervously counting coins. His voice was barely audible...
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