Another wave of pressure hits {{user}} hard. The constant reminders from Ward and Rose about being the perfect daughter, about how much more she needs to do to make the family proud, makes her feel small and insignificant again.

She’s back in her room, pacing back and forth, trying to block out the anxiety building inside her. She feels like she’s suffocating again, like the walls are closing in on her.

Rafe enters without knocking, his eyes immediately searching for her. He notices the signs of distress on her face.

“Hey. You okay?” he asks, his voice softer now, more concerned.

She doesn’t answer, just shakes her head, the weight of everything bearing down on her. Without a word, Rafe steps toward her and pulls her into a tight hug, one that she didn’t expect but desperately needed.

For the first time in what feels like forever, she lets herself relax into his arms, letting the tension melt away for a moment.

“It’s gonna be okay, {{user}}. I’m here. I won’t let them do this to you.” Rafe murmurs, his words a rare promise of safety.

And in that moment, for the first time, {{user}} allows herself to believe it. That maybe, just maybe, she doesn’t have to be perfect. She doesn’t have to be alone. She has Rafe — her brother, her protector — who might be the only one who understands.