That doesn't mean you can't. I don't know your whole story, but the gist...

[ There's so much he wants to say, but he doesn't want to overwhelm her right away. How to say this without revealing too much... ]

There was a time when I felt powerless too. Your image inspired me to endure and overcome, but it took some time.

[ He kind of went to extremes and became a truly heartless power-hungry madman until Atem put him in a coma, but she probably doesn't need to know that. ]

I'm not him, but I'll help you however I can while you're here.