Guests exchanged looks. Someone even dropped their jaw in surprise. And my sister looked at me as though the glass in her hand might shatter at any moment.

Meanwhile, Leon leaned in slightly and said:

— You must be tired of all their “advice.” But believe me, you’re nothing like the version of you they’re trying to paint.

In that moment, I realized two things: first, I no longer felt humiliated or pushed aside, and second — this man hadn’t approached me by accident.

And the whole room could see it clearly.