The conversation was cautious but civil—two people trying to rebuild a bridge that had long been damaged. We didn’t resolve everything, and we didn’t pretend the past hadn’t happened. But we did agree on one thing: healthy boundaries were necessary, and earning trust would take time.
As I hung up, I understood that the situation wasn’t about choosing between protecting my parents and allowing someone a chance to grow. It was about balancing both with patience and clarity. For the first time in a long while, the future didn’t feel as heavy, and I allowed myself to hope that change—slow, steady, and honest—was truly possible.
