~Elsie's POV
"Are you serious?" Gianna asked.
I nodded again.
"Yes," I said.
And she let out a breath she did not even realize she had been holding. Gianna rushed at me like she had been holding herself together all morning and finally found a reason to let go. Her arms wrapped tightly around me, warm and firm, and for a second, I almost lost my balance.
But I did not push her away.
I let her hold me because I could feel it, the relief in her body, the way she clung to me like something heavy had just been lifted off her chest.
"Thank you," she said quickly, and her voice was full of emotion. "Thank you so much. You have no idea what this means to me."
I smiled softly, even though a part of me still felt unsure about everything.
"It is okay," I replied gently. "You do not have to thank me like this."
She pulled back after a moment, but her hands stayed on my arms, like she still needed that connection.
