It was the last leg of an exhausting business trip—the kind that leaves you running on empty, fueled only by caffeine, counting the minutes until you finally get home.

Boarding that evening, my mind was only on sleep. I tossed my bag into the overhead bin, sank into my seat, and let out a long sigh, like someone finally surfacing after being underwater too long. Once airborne, I reclined without a second thought, desperate for a moment of rest.

Then I heard a soft voice behind me.

“Excuse me… could you not lean back so far? I’m having a little trouble breathing.”

The tone was gentle, almost apologetic. I turned, expecting annoyance, and saw her: a woman with kind, tired eyes and a clear baby bump. She wasn’t demanding, just uncomfortable. I was too exhausted to care and muttered something about needing sleep as well before turning back. She offered a faint, understanding smile and stayed silent.