The Question That Changed Everything
Later that night, Charles called Elena into his study.
She stood awkwardly by the door, apron folded nervously.
“You didn’t tell anyone about your son,” Charles said.
She nodded. “No one asked.”
He swallowed.
“How did you know?” he asked. “That this would work?”
Elena hesitated. Then said quietly, “Because children don’t need food first. They need permission to live again.”
Charles covered his face with his hands.
For the first time in years, he cried.
