Seraphina seemed to sense my uncertainty, because she reached out, taking my hand once more. "You're doing better than you think," she said softly. "You care about these people, about what happens to them. That's what makes you different from who you were before. You've changed, Elara… for the better."
Her words were like a balm to my troubled heart, easing the tension that had been building within me. I looked up at her, meeting her gaze, and for a moment, the world seemed to fall away, leaving just the two of us in that quiet, sunlit room.
"Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible. It wasn't just for her words—it was for everything. For standing by me, for believing in me, for helping me find my way when I felt lost.
Seraphina's smile widened, and she leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. "You don't have to thank me," she murmured against my skin. "I'm just glad I get to be here with you."