His words weren't loud. They didn't need to be. The weight in them was enough to press into her chest like a stone.
He wasn't asking to be convinced, he was testing her. Looking for cracks in her armor, seeing if she'd squirm, lie, or fall apart like so many before her had under his scrutiny.
But Cassandra didn't flinch. Not this time.
She took a steady breath and sat up straighter. Her hands folded loosely in her lap, though her heart thudded like a drum in her ears.
"One good reason?" she repeated, meeting his gaze squarely. "Alright. I'll give you one."
Her voice was soft but firm, like calm waters masking dangerous depths.
"Because unlike those thousands of people who sent in neat little resumes and followed all the proper steps, I showed up." She paused, letting the words sink i
