He tasted every bite as if it were a feast.
That night he slept on the couch. Just before drifting off, his finger accidentally pressed a small button on the side of his watch.
A soft recorded voice played.
“For Daniel Carter, with all my love. — Victoria.”
Daniel.
So that was his name.
But the name Victoria stirred something dark in his chest.
The next morning Emily appeared with messy hair and a shy smile.
“Good morning, Mr. Daniel.”
Rose handed him a mug of coffee.
“You can’t stay here forever,” she said bluntly. “People talk.”
Daniel tried to stand.
“I understand. I’ll leave as soon as I can.”
But the room spun and he sat back down.
“You’re not going anywhere like that,” Rose declared. “You’re weak, and that wound could get infected.”
Emily looked at her grandmother with pleading eyes.
“He can help around here while he gets better. Earn his food.”
Daniel stared at his soft, uncalloused hands… then at the two women who had saved him.
“I’ll do whatever you need.”
And so began a strange and beautiful chapter.
Within days Daniel learned to draw water from the well, carry heavy buckets, patch a leaking roof, and pull weeds from the tiny backyard garden.
Emily became his teacher.