diff --git a/src/text_helpers.py b/src/text_helpers.py
index 10f24de..90d66a9 100644
--- a/src/text_helpers.py
+++ b/src/text_helpers.py
@@ -62,16 +62,20 @@ def _strip_reasoning_prose(text: str) -> str:
     paragraphs = re.split(r"\n\s*\n", text.strip())
     if len(paragraphs) <= 1:
         return text
-    last_reasoning_idx = -1
+    # Strip only a LEADING contiguous run of reasoning paragraphs. Keeping the
+    # text after the *last* reasoning paragraph destroyed the real answer when a
+    # reasoning-style sentence trailed it: keep became empty and the function
+    # returned that trailing sentence instead of the answer above it.
+    first_keep = 0
     for i, p in enumerate(paragraphs):
         if _REASONING_PREFIX_RE.match(p):
-            last_reasoning_idx = i
-    if last_reasoning_idx < 0:
+            first_keep = i + 1
+        else:
+            break
+    if first_keep == 0:
         return text
-    keep = paragraphs[last_reasoning_idx + 1:]
-    if not keep:
-        return paragraphs[-1].strip()
-    return "\n\n".join(keep).strip()
+    keep = paragraphs[first_keep:]
+    return "\n\n".join(keep).strip() if keep else text
 
 
 def strip_think(text: str, *, prose: bool = False, prompt_echo: bool = True) -> str:
diff --git a/tests/test_strip_reasoning_prose_dataloss.py b/tests/test_strip_reasoning_prose_dataloss.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d55a2d8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_strip_reasoning_prose_dataloss.py
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+"""Regression: _strip_reasoning_prose must not destroy the answer.
+
+It kept the text AFTER the *last* reasoning paragraph. When a reasoning-style
+sentence trailed the real answer, `keep` became empty and the function returned
+that trailing sentence (`paragraphs[-1]`), discarding the actual answer above
+it. It now strips only a leading contiguous run of reasoning paragraphs.
+"""
+from src.text_helpers import strip_think
+
+
+def test_leading_reasoning_is_stripped():
+    out = strip_think("I need to draft a reply.\n\nThe answer is 42.", prose=True)
+    assert out == "The answer is 42."
+
+
+def test_trailing_reasoning_does_not_destroy_answer():
+    text = ("Dear Alice,\n\nI will send the report by Friday.\n\nBest, Bob"
+            "\n\nI need to keep this reply concise and professional.")
+    out = strip_think(text, prose=True)
+    assert "send the report by Friday" in out
+    assert "Dear Alice" in out
+
+
+def test_plain_text_unchanged():
+    assert strip_think("Just a normal answer.", prose=True) == "Just a normal answer."