Laurel listened than let out a long sighed, "I'm damaged and broken too," she told him softer. "It's not the same situation as yours, but I have cracks within myself and broke last year after the Doll Marker and Blood ordeal." She looked back to the ocean, "I love myself for the longest time."
Sighing she straighten her shoulder, "but I'm stronger now, I've worked my way up from the hell I put myself in and still climbing. You might have thought you were protecting me, but as you said, you were wrong, but if it wasn't for everything that has happened, I wouldn't be the woman I am today." She looked at him, "don't apologize, show me you are sorry, stop pushing me away. I'm your best friend, one of them, but I have known you the longest. I haven't gone anywhere, even when I had reason to leave."