Cassius nodded without hesitation, voice soft.
"Of course. Go ahead."
Maria stepped forward slowly, almost reverently, and reached out with trembling fingers. She didn't touch the painted version of herself.
Instead, she gently caressed the area where tiny Joy lay bundled in her arms, as though she were stroking her daughter's cheek through the canvas itself.
The moment her fingertips brushed the painted cloth, a beautiful, radiant smile broke across her face—soft, loving, and full of quiet wonder.
"What you said is true, Cassius." She whispered, voice thick with emotion. "Back then...everyone pushed me away the moment they realized I had a child inside me. And I guess it made sense."
She let out a small, self-deprecating chuckle.
"I was a sister of the Goddess—someone who was supposed to be devoted only to Her. I was meant to have no family, no husband, and certainly no daughter or son. But because of certain circumstances…"
Her eyes grew slightly gloomy for a moment.
