“Because you treated yourself that way too.”

He looked at her. Cassandra’s voice softened. “You thought you had to become successful before you deserved a family. When I was afraid of losing you, you heard it as criticism.

You thought money would prove I was wrong.”

“And did it?”

“No. It proved you were capable of earning money.”

A reluctant smile touched his face. “You were always brutal when you were honest.”