Inside, Alexander Weiss was waiting. His presence was commanding but kind, much like my grandmother’s had been. He greeted me with a warm handshake and a reassuring smile. “Clara, I’m so glad you called. Let’s get to work on setting things right.”

In that moment, surrounded by strength and promise, I realized that I was far from worthless. The fortress my grandmother had spoken of wasn’t just the apartment I had fought to keep; it was the community, the connections, and the courage to stand up for myself. Alberto might have tried to tear me down, but I was already rebuilding, brick by brick, and this time with an unshakeable foundation.