[He's quiet for a moment.]

Rhode made me naive again, I suppose. It felt like a second chance, having her welcome me as openly as she did.

When Gabriel came...that was a second chance. I've tried, as much as I can, to find a way to reach my goals while keeping him close to me. It's not going to work. I know that. My brothers will never join me, and I can't pretend to be what they are.

But even temporary things are worth having.