Now his warmth was almost overwhelming—these were the warmest days I'd experienced in my entire life.

"Because you're you," he said, his voice soft but firm, a hint of pride rising at the end, as if to say, Look, this is my girl, isn't she amazing?'

I could hear it in his voice—in his eyes, I was his pride, his joy. And despite everything, despite the doubts gnawing at me, a small part of me couldn't help but feel... cherished. But I still couldn't fully believe ...