I honestly don't know. Sometimes it's hurt so much I didn't think I could stand it. Alexander, Marcel, others. Each time, I swore I would never be in that position again.
But being with Stefan.
I look at him and I see hope. I see a man who truly loves me. And it's not been a fairytale, god knows we've had difficulties, we've had to really work to trust each other, to get where we are, and that work has all been worth it. With him, I feel safe. He loves me, not my power, not my family connections. He would be with me if I was turned human and weak tomorrow and love me just the same.
And to feel that way, it makes all the pain and betrayals worth it.