“My mistakes,” she said, a sad, knowing smile touching her lips, “what about choosing a man who was charming but lazy. A man who didn’t value me. Your father… well, that’s a story for another day.” But my lessons were about not settling for a man who doesn’t see your worth. I wanted you to have security, yes, but not at the cost of your soul.”
“I think I just… got the definition of security wrong for a while.” She reached out and tucked a strand of my damp hair behind my ear, her touch infinitely gentle. “True security isn’t a bank balance, Millie. It’s knowing who you are and being with someone who celebrates that person, not the person who gambles your life and happy days for a contract. Endangering your life with some gangsters.”
She leaned forward and pulled me into a proper hug. It
