Chapter 4

Robert moved behind the wheelchair. Claire stepped closer. Maya suddenly spoke again, not loudly, just enough for Ethan to hear:"Be careful."Claire turned immediately. "What did you say?"Maya didn't answer. The little girl simply stepped backward, the wind lifting a few loose curls around her face. Then she looked at Ethan one last time."I'll see you tomorrow."And before anyone could stop her, she turned and ran toward the church, the paper bag bouncing against her side as she ran.Ethan watched her disappear through the doors. For a long moment, nobody spoke. Then Claire placed a hand on his shoulder."You shouldn't listen to children."Ethan looked at her. The words sounded harmless, normal. Yet something about them felt different: cold, calculated. He couldn't explain why. Maybe it was because of the way Maya had looked at her. Maybe it was because of that brief flash of fear. Or maybe it was because, for the first time in months, someone had spoken to him like recovery was possible. Not probable. Not realistic. Possible.As Robert pushed the wheelchair toward the waiting car, Ethan glanced back at the church. The little girl was gone; only the fading glow of sunset remained. But her words echoed inside his mind: I can help you walk again.And for reasons he didn't understand yet, Claire seemed terrified that she might be right.The ride back to Ethan's estate was unusually quiet. The black SUV moved through downtown Chicago while evening lights flickered to life beyond the windows. Glass towers reflected streaks of orange sunset. Traffic crawled along wet streets. People hurried home carrying groceries, coffee cups, and backpacks: normal lives, normal problems—things Ethan found himself envying more often these days.Claire sat beside him in the backseat, her hand resting gently on his arm. Anyone watching would have seen a devoted fiancée caring for the man she loved. But Ethan couldn't stop thinking about the expression he'd seen in the park—that brief flash of fear. It had lasted less than a second. Still, it lingered in his mind."You're quiet," Claire said softly.Ethan forced a smile. "Just tired."She squeezed his hand. "You pushed yourself today.""I sat in a wheelchair and watched people jog."Claire laughed lightly. "You know what I mean."He nodded. Outside, neon signs reflected across the glass: a family walked into a pizza shop; a group of teenagers crossed the street carrying basketballs. Life seemed to move faster than ever whenever you couldn't keep up with it.Claire leaned closer. "You shouldn't let that little girl get your hopes up."The words sounded casual, but Ethan noticed she had brought Maya up again. He hadn't mentioned her once since leaving the park."She was just being kind," Ethan replied.Claire looked out the window. "Children don't understand reality."

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