As the appointment continued, Rita noticed something shifting beneath the surface. The simple acts of care—washing her hair, tending to her skin, and thoughtfully styling her appearance—created a sense of ease she hadn’t realized she was missing. This wasn’t about transformation or perfection. It was about being treated with attention and kindness, without conditions attached. That experience gave her space to reflect on how rarely she allowed herself to receive care without questioning whether she deserved it. When she finally looked in the mirror, the change she noticed went far beyond how she looked.
