Chapter 207

“I hated the version of you who kept breaking. His hand resumed its slow, steady motion on her back.

“So every chance I had… I pushed you.”

A pause.

“Sometimes harder than I should have.” His gaze sharpened slightly, though his voice remained controlled.

“I forced you to stand on your own. To build something. To stop depending on anyone.”

Another pause as he took a deep breath.

“I wanted you to become someone who wouldn’t be broken again.”