He helped a woman without knowing that she was the judge who held his fate in her hands…

That morning, Daniel had no idea that pulling over to help a stranger would rewrite his whole future.

At 6:37 a.m., Daniel Carter slammed the door of his cramped apartment in a working-class neighborhood. His eyes were puffy from not sleeping, his hands shaky from going over the same problem all night. He clutched a cheap briefcase like it was the only thing keeping him afloat.

Inside was a USB drive with a video he believed could change everything.

He had to be at the downtown courthouse by 7:30. He couldn’t be late. Not again. His beat-up white compact—more duct tape than car—started with a groan. He crossed himself out of habit and headed south through heavy traffic, feeling like the entire city had picked that day to slow him down.

On a side street, he spotted a gray sedan on the shoulder, trunk open, spare tire on the ground.

A woman stood with her back to him, phone held up, frustrated, no signal. Before he could talk himself out of it, Daniel hit the brakes.

“Do you need help, ma’am?” he asked, rolling down the window.

She turned—slim, medium-dark skin, hair pulled back, eyes steady but tense. She didn’t look older than him, but carried herself like someone used to being in control.

“Yes, please. The tire blew and I don’t have the strength to change it. I’m already embarrassingly late.”

Daniel pulled over, grabbed his jack, and crouched by her car.

“Don’t worry. Ten minutes and you’re back on the road.”

She watched in silence while he worked, almost studying him. He avoided her eyes, feeling time breathing down his neck—yet helping her strangely calmed him, like the universe giving him a tiny break.

“Important appointment?” she asked.

“Yes, ma’am. Very important. And you?”

“First day in a new position, and I’m already late,” she said with a small, self-conscious laugh. “Great first impression, right?”

“Sometimes days that start bad still end well,” he said. “At least, that’s what I’m hoping.”

When he finished tightening the lug nuts, he wiped his hands on a rag and finally looked at her. She held his gaze a beat too long.

“Thank you. What’s your name?”