“I’ve been trying to manage my hours,” she confessed, her voice wavering. “Two jobs, I… I can’t let my family down.”
Jonathan’s mind raced as he absorbed her words. “How many jobs do you have?”
“Just two right now, but I used to juggle three. I thought if I worked harder…” Her voice trailed off, the weight of unfulfilled hopes hanging in the air.
“You don’t have to explain,” he said softly. “I understand the pressure of being responsible for others.”
She looked at him, a flicker of hope breaking through her weariness. “Really?”
“Yes,” he replied, his voice steady. “You deserve more than what you’re carrying. What if I offered you a raise? A better schedule?”
Her eyes widened, disbelief mingling with gratitude. “You would do that for me?”
“You deserve a chance to rest, Sophie,” he assured her. “Let’s talk more about how I can help.”
