A family in paint-stained work clothes entered nervously.
The host smiled.
“Welcome to Bellmont House.”
No judgment.
No hesitation.
Just welcome.
Sophie watched them take their seats.
“Better now?”
Daniel looked around at laughing servers, families enjoying dinner, and Maria confidently directing the evening rush.
At last, he felt his anger fade.
“Much better.”
Sophie raised her lemonade.
“To booth seventeen.”
Daniel tapped his glass against hers.
“To treating people right.”
Outside, rain shimmered across the city lights.
Inside, nobody needed expensive clothes to deserve a seat.
