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The gift was a hand-knitted scarf, the colors a perfect match to her eyes. Soft and warm, it radiated a sense of care. A note was tucked inside: "For Ms. Rodriguez, who always kept me warm. - Javier." A warmth spread through her, far beyond the physical.

She wrapped the scarf around her neck, inhaling the faint scent of wool and something else, something personal. She found herself smiling at nothing, her cheeks flushed. Every time she looked in the mirror, she felt like a different person.

Later, she would choose the scarf as the last thing she put on when she left the house. She wasn't cold. She just felt… comforted. Safe. She walked a little faster than usual, and had to catch herself humming.