He lingered at the podium, as if silence could postpone the moment. The teleprompter glowed, but he barely looked at it—this was no polished speech, only a confession born of sleepless nights and private prayers. His hands trembled as he admitted the personal cost of public life and the wear of years in political battle. He spoke of stepping back, putting family first, and leaving behind a life defined by elections. His voice cracked as he thanked those who had believed in him, and when he finished, there was no applause—just a heavy, human silence. Turning from the cameras, he walked away, finally unburdened by the words that had broken him.
