Valerie wiped a tear from under her eye, her hand trembling slightly. She couldn't explain why she felt so emotional, but her father's words had unleashed a floodgate of feelings within her.
For so long, she'd yearned to hear him say those exact words: "I believe you." She'd wanted to hear that he trusted her, that he stood by her unconditionally. But every time she'd needed to hear it most, he'd failed her, choosing to believe others over her.
The memories of those betrayals still stung, but now, in this moment, her father's declaration had awakened a deep-seated hope. Maybe, just maybe, things could be different this time.
As she struggled to compose herself, Valerie realized that her emotional response wasn't just about her father's words – it was about the weight of all those past hurts, finally beginning to lift.
