Without a certain degree of selfishness, people would only continue using her kindness, taking advantage of her sacrifices, and stepping over her until she was left broken all over again, just like before.
So as long as she did not intentionally harm innocent people and her conscience remained clear, then being a little selfish was acceptable; others might even call this as setting a boundary.
At least, that was what Ashley kept repeating quietly to herself, trying to suppress the guilt that still occasionally surfaced within her heart.
Because she had already learned her lesson the hardest way possible.
As for her newly found brothers… Ashley decided she would simply return whatever treatment they gave her. If they sincerely treated her well, then she would naturally care for them in return. But never again would she give herself away as blindly and completely as she once did.
Otherwise, she would only trap herself inside the same cage all over again.
