The Seven Sisters and Their Hidden King

"You can cure him?"

Sara blinked in disbelief at John's words. Then she turned sharply to her husband. "What does your friend do, exactly?"

Lester gave a half-smile and scratched his head awkwardly. "We grew up together in the welfare house. He reached out recently—asked me to help him find a job."

"Asked you for a job?" Sara's eyes narrowed. Her tone turned skeptical. "Didn't he just say he was a doctor? Then why would he need help finding work?"

It didn't add up. It felt unreliable.

She waved a hand dismissively. "Forget it. Stop wasting time. We're going to New York. Drive!"

Lester nodded, caught between embarrassment and obligation. He glanced apologetically at John.

A real doctor? You wouldn't be riding a bike and job-hunting.

John could feel the misunderstanding growing deeper but chose not to correct them. He simply smiled and said calmly, "See you in New York."

Then he mounted his bike—with its oversized wheels—and pedaled away.

Sara and Lester stood there for a moment, dumbfounded.