Rain fell in steady sheets as Emma pushed forward, her sweater clinging to her skin. “Just keep going,” she whispered — words her mother used to say. At 23, Emma’s life had fallen apart. A car accident had taken both her parents, leaving her with grief, student loans, and an empty apartment. With only $50 left, she counted every coin for groceries.

Inside the store, she picked the essentials: bread, eggs, pasta. At the checkout, she noticed a man in a soaked hoodie, hands trembling as he tried to pay. “Please… I haven’t eaten in two days,” he whispered. Without hesitating, Emma stepped forward. “I’ll cover it.” “You don’t have to,” he said. “We all need help sometimes.”

That night, she sat in her small kitchen, staring at her empty wallet, hoping he was okay. The next morning, she had a job interview she desperately needed. Wearing her mother’s silver ring for courage, she walked into the office — and froze.

At the head of the table sat the same man from the store, now clean-shaven and wearing a suit. “Emma, right?” he said gently. He introduced himself as Mr. Watson, the CEO. After losing his wife, he had spiraled into despair.

“Your kindness reminded me of who I used to be,” he said. “The job is yours.” Emma left the office in tears, realizing her mother was right: When you give from the heart, life has a way of giving back — just when you need it most.