The Strength Within
As Carla settled into her seat on the plane, she tried to focus on the journey ahead. Traveling had always been a source of excitement, but today, it carried a different weight. She was aware of the glances from fellow passengers, the quiet murmurs that followed. It wasn’t new to her—but it still stung.
At twenty-seven, Carla had recently endured a life-changing accident, leaving a noticeable scar on her face. The road to recovery had been challenging, both physically and emotionally. Though doctors had done their best, the mark remained—a reminder of what she had overcome. She had learned to carry herself with quiet resilience, but moments like these made it difficult.
She put on her headphones, hoping to tune out the world for a while. However, a conversation nearby caught her attention.
A passenger whispered to their companion, glancing at her. “I don’t know how she manages,” they murmured, unaware that Carla could hear.
Before she could react, another voice responded firmly, “What truly matters is inner strength, not appearances.”
A moment of silence followed before other passengers nodded in agreement. The quiet support filled Carla with an unexpected warmth.
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