Chapter 1: The Secret Behind the Storage Room
Caleb stood frozen in the hallway.
He didn't interrupt.
He simply watched.
Julia counted softly.
"One more step, Landon."
"You've got this."
Landon's legs trembled violently.
"I... I can't."
Julia smiled.
"You're already doing what everyone said was impossible."
"Don't think about walking."
"Just think about taking one more step."
With tears filling his eyes, Landon lifted his left foot.
Then his right.
Three tiny steps.
When he finished, he burst into laughter.
"I did it!"
Julia hugged him carefully.
"You did."
Caleb could no longer stay hidden.
He slowly pushed the door open.
Julia immediately stepped back.
Her face turned pale.
"Mr. Donovan..."
"I'm sorry."
"I know I wasn't supposed to..."
Caleb interrupted quietly.
"Who taught you this?"
Julia hesitated.
"My younger brother."
"He lost the use of his legs after an accident."
"The doctors gave up."
"But our mother never did."
She looked at Landon.
"She spent years learning physical rehabilitation."
"I watched everything."
"I only wanted to give your son hope."
Caleb looked at his son.
May you like
He hadn't seen that smile...
since before the accident.
