The next day, Asli made a decision.
She wouldn't just survive.
She would fight—her way.
Not with violence.
But with persistence.
She started small.
Talking more.
Challenging him less aggressively.
Understanding more.
"You don't have to carry everything alone," she told him while bandaging a small cut on his hand.
"I do."
"No… you choose to."
He looked at her.
"You think it's that simple?"
"No," she said gently. "But I think you're stronger than this life."
Something shifted in his expression.
Not fully.
But enough.
Because for the first time…
He didn't dismiss her words completely.