Learning to Rise: Emergent Saga Book Two

"I... I..." I choke, struggling for words, for coherence, for something to bridge the gap between past and present. My hands grip his shirt like a lifeline. "I can't... I can't let Carter become what I was. I can't let her live in that constant state of dread and blame. She can't-she won't-she can't..."

"Shh," he whispers again. "I know. I know. But she won't. She won't become that. Not while we're here."

I tremble against him, voice dropping to a fragile whisper. "I'm... I'm terrified. That somehow, I won't be enough to stop it. That I can't protect her from... from what I lived through."

Steve tilts my chin up gently, forcing me to meet his eyes.

"You will protect her," he says firmly. "You already are. Every day, every choice, every glance. You've given her love, care, laughter, and safety-things I don't think you ever had. You're her mother, Maddie. You are enough."