“Avice, baby, listen to me,” he said, turning to her. “You... God.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “You are the most important person in my life.”
He wrapped his arms around her and spoke quietly into his hair. “Today’s just a bad day, baby,” he said quietly. “You are so worthwhile. You are so good. Trust me.”
"Then how can I ignore what others have said?" Her voice was hushed. "That's what they told me. They told me bad things. They did bad things."
"They did that because they were bad people," he said quietly in her ear, rubbing her back. "Avice, you're beyond them. They just don't understand. Those people don't get the opportunity to watch you grow as a person. They will never get the privilege of having you love them. Don't you see?" He pulled away slightly, his hand on her chin to gently lift her head, his gaze meeting hers. "They're lost people. They're never going to find a resting place. They're just trying to dim the glow you emit because you're too bright for them." His free hand was resting on the side of her neck. "Trust me on this."
There were tears in her eyes, and her hands hovered uncertainly over his chest. Her voice came out in a whisper that cracked. "I hate them."
"They're not worthy of your hate, baby," he said quietly, taking her hands and kissing them. "They're worthless human beings. They're never going to be anything. Their lives will be meaningless." He paused and wiped the tears from her cheek. "You, on the other hand," he continued. "You... Avice, you're amazing. You leave them far behind you with every action you make. They're evil and they're liars and they're wrong, okay?"
He wrapped his arms around her, his body warm and sure. He planted a kiss at the top of her head. “Work can wait.”
"No, baby," he soothed, rubbing her back soothingly. "Please don't be sorry. It isn't your fault. You did nothing wrong."
