The Response of a Sincere Heart

**Shaira's POV**

Zania looked at me with a mix of disbelief and anger. Her expression clearly showed what she thought of my words, as if the very idea of walking away from this fight seemed absurd to her. She came closer to the bars, her voice trembling but filled with determination.

"Shaira, what you're saying is madness," she said, her voice shaking, but firm. "How can you even think that Angro would accept something like that? That he could simply forget you and move on with me? It's absurd! He loves you deeply. He'd rather die than see you become Omawit's slave. Don’t you see that?"

I swallowed, feeling each of Zania's words pierce my chest. She continued, her eyes shining with intensity. "I know you're scared. That you think it’s better to let go and give Angro a chance to live. But you don’t understand what he feels for you, Shaira. You're not seeing it. If Angro decided to leave with me, as you say, that would be betraying himself. You gave him a purpose! You taught him what it means to truly love."

Tears began to fill my eyes, but I forced myself to hold her gaze. Zania knelt beside the bars of the cell and extended a hand, as if she wanted to take mine and share some of her strength with me. I hesitated for a moment, but eventually, I brought my fingers to hers, clinging to that connection, even if only for an instant.

"I know what you're feeling," Zania murmured, her tone softer. "I know you're trying to sacrifice yourself for him, but that’s not what he wants. It’s not what he needs. And even if he might feel something for me… I couldn’t live with myself if I betrayed him that way." She lowered her voice, her eyes full of crushing sincerity. "I’m not the one in his heart, Shaira. You are."

I felt the air grow denser, heavy with emotions I didn’t know how to handle. My mind wanted to tell her that she was wrong, that it would be best if she left and walked away from all of this, but my heart beat hard, resonating with Zania’s words. She wasn’t willing to back down, and something in her voice made me realize that, perhaps, there was still a chance that not everything was lost.

Zania’s words echoed in my mind like a distant but persistent call. For a moment, I felt the weight pressing on my chest lighten, and although despair still lingered, there was a glimmer of something that resembled hope. I held on to Zania's hand through the bars, feeling the warmth of her skin, that small spark of connection reminding me that I wasn’t completely alone.

I looked into her eyes, searching for the strength I needed to keep going. "Do you really believe there’s still a chance?" I asked, my voice trembling. "That Angro… can find me before it’s too late?"

Zania nodded without hesitation, her fingers gripping mine more tightly. "I know he will. Angro won’t give up, and neither should you. Both of you have overcome things that would have broken others. If you don’t lose hope, you’ll find a way out of this."

Her words were like a gentle breeze that began to clear the fog clouding my mind. A part of me still doubted, but I felt the loyalty and love of Angro and Zania, as well as their bravery, begin to ignite a small flame within me. I couldn’t let myself fully succumb to despair. If they weren’t giving up on me, I couldn’t give up on myself.

I closed my eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, letting that flame grow with each inhalation. Then, I opened my eyes and looked at Zania, who was watching me with anticipation, almost as if waiting for a sign from me.

I squeezed her hand firmly and, with a low but determined voice, said, "If that’s true… then I’ll find a way to fight. I can’t give up just yet."

Zania smiled, and in her face, I saw a reflection of the confidence she was trying to awaken in me. It was a small moment, almost insignificant compared to all that lay ahead, but for me, it was enough. There was still something worth fighting for, and as long as there was a spark of hope, I wouldn’t allow Omawit or anyone else to extinguish that light.