As we walked away from the pool, the sun glinting off the water, I knew this was only the beginning. There would be more battles, more lessons—but for now, I had done what I set out to do. I had shown them the power of empathy, of understanding the pain they had caused.

And as Lily leaned her head against my shoulder, I knew I had taken the first step in teaching her not just to fight for her dreams, but to demand respect for them—and for herself.