Daniel loved her fiercely, but his fear ruled him.
Fear of hope.
Fear of disappointment.
Fear of watching her fall.
So when Maria arrived—quiet, young, recommended by an agency he barely remembered contacting—he gave her a long list of rules.
- No lifting without support.
- No exercises outside the therapist’s plan.
- No risks.
Maria listened carefully.
She always did.
She was gentle, patient, and seemed to truly see Lily—not as a diagnosis, but as a child.
Lily adored her almost instantly.
And that worried Daniel.
