"Yes," Erik agrees grimly. He knows this hurts. It always does. But it's necessary. Healing can't happen until Cesar has faced this brutal truth. "It does. You have, Cesar. And I am very sorry for your loss. I have been in your position. But where you are now, hanging in purgatory between that old life and your new one waiting to be seized upon is not healthy. Clinging to the past will only keep you from being able to move forward. It won't bring back what you've lost. It won't help you keep what is important to you now. Can you understand that?"