Page 85 of Faron

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“That you walk into a room and people feel it. That kind of presence doesn’t come from a bottle, Aponi. It comes from surviving.”

My throat tightened.

“Next time you compare yourself to a woman like that,” he said, voice like gravel and warmth, “make sure you’re not selling yourself short.”

I didn’t move.

Couldn’t.

But somewhere deep in my chest… the wall cracked.

Just a little.

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