The early morning weekend market was shrouded in a thin mist, the air heavy with humidity, the scent of wet leaves, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Vendors shouted constantly, and the honking of trucks mixed with the biting cold wind, making people shiver. Sam carried heavy crates, stepping on the uneven ground; each step felt like walking on fire. His palms and shoulders throbbed with pain, blisters and thick calluses rubbed raw, yet he gritted his teeth and pressed on—next month's rent and utilities depended on him.
"Just a little more money…" he murmured to himself. Every crate he lifted made sweat soak his back, and his aching waist felt like waves crashing over him. A crate slipped once and nearly fell to the ground; Sam caught it just in time, his palm stinging even more, but he clenched his teeth and endured. Fatigue, pain, and the cold wind assaulted him every second, but he knew that stopping would only make life harder.
From a distance, Valerie watched him secretly. Seeing the blisters and wounds on his hands, her heart ached as if cut by a knife. She bit her lip gently, silently wiping away tears, but did not dare approach—she knew he had to rely on his own strength to support their home. Yet in her heart, she silently resolved to believe in him no matter what. She whispered to herself, "He can do this. I believe in him."
The cold morning wind, slippery ground, heavy crates, and market chaos seemed like repeated tests for Sam. His breath came in ragged gasps, sweat and blood soaking his clothes, yet his gaze remained sharp and resolute, like a sword pointing forward. In his heart, he repeated: I will endure this, for the rent, for Valerie.
As night gave way to dawn and the first light crept across the horizon, Sam lifted his head one last time, feeling a strange mixture of exhaustion and determination. His hands were blistered, his body nearly unsteady, yet love and responsibility gave him strength. Valerie stood not far away; a tear slid down her cheek. She knew that this love made every hardship worth enduring.