Years passed. I built my own life, became a teacher, and started a family rooted in love and trust. One day, Elise reached out to apologize for never speaking up when we were children. Slowly, we began to rebuild a relationship on honesty, not silence.Today, I keep one teacup from my mother’s set above my desk. To my students, I explain:“It’s a reminder that justice doesn’t always come from anger — sometimes it comes from choosing dignity and peace.”