Luna started crying again.

“I’m sorry, Daddy…”

Edgar remained silent for a moment. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, he asked another question, as though he were guiding his daughter toward a deeper truth.

“What did you say to that boy in your class… when he called you ugly?”

Luna blinked, confused, and sniffled.

“I… I told him I was beautiful…” she answered softly.

Edgar tilted his head.

“And why did you say that?”

Luna’s voice was still shaky, but there was a hint of pride in it now.

“Because I