His expression slowly turned serious again. "But if anything, all of this only tests how much we mean what we feel."
Xavier gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
"If someone walks away from you the moment things get difficult, then maybe what they felt was never strong enough to begin with. And honestly? Maybe that would be a wake-up call for you too."
His eyes never left hers. "Anyone who can turn their back on you just because being by your side became dangerous was never worth your time in the first place."
Xavier tightened his arms around her again, holding her as if he wanted to make sure she understood every word.
"So don't sit here blaming yourself for choices we made willingly. None of us were dragged into your life against our will, Hera. We chose to stay. We chose you. And if things get ugly, then we deal with them together."
