I was stunned by her words and smile.
But I quickly recovered and returned her smile.
"No, thank you," I said. "For trusting me, for sharing something so precious and painful with me. I know how much courage it must have taken to open those wounds again."
I leaned forward a bit, my voice gentle but firm. "And I want you to know that what you have been through doesn't define your worth. You survived something that would have broken most people, and you did it alone. That takes incredible strength and patience."
I paused, letting the sincerity in my words settle between us.
"You are not a commodity, Cassandra. You are not a failed product or a mistake. You are a person who deserves all the love and care you were denied, and I... I'm happy that you trusted me enough to let me understand who you really are."
