Lila stood at the edge of the boardwalk, her gaze lost in the horizon. Her deep brown eyes reflected the kindness that seemed to flow from her heart, a heart that the townsfolk had often taken for granted. She clutched a worn leather satchel, filled with supplies for the shelter where she volunteered tirelessly.

Lila moved gracefully from task to task, her smile never wavering as she distributed meals and shared words of comfort. Mrs. Thompson, an elderly woman with a kind face, approached her. "Lila, dear, you're a blessing to us all," she said, her eyes crinkling with warmth.

As Lila walked home, her mind heavy with the day's work, she was approached by Tom, a fellow volunteer whom she had always trusted. His demeanor was different, his words sharp and cutting. "You shouldn't trust everyone so easily, Lila. They just use you," he warned, his voice laced with bitterness.

Lila sat at the table, her heart heavy with Tom's words. She had always believed in the goodness of people, but doubt began to creep in. Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. Emily, a young girl from the shelter, stood there with tears in her eyes. "I heard what Tom said. It's not true, Lila. We need you," she pleaded, her voice trembling.

Lila stood at the boardwalk once more, her resolve renewed. She knew she couldn't change how people treated her, but she could choose how she responded. With a determined heart, she headed back to the shelter, ready to continue her work with even more passion and kindness.

Lila realized that while some might take her kindness for granted, there were others who genuinely appreciated her. And it was for those people, like Emily, that she would keep her heart open, no matter the cost. "Kindness is never wasted," she whispered to herself, feeling a sense of peace settle over her.