The words seemed to drain the strength from her face.
Ryan continued.
“I love you, Mom. But I will not spend the rest of my life proving that I love you by giving up everyone else.”
Patricia looked at me.
“You’ve turned him against me.”
Ryan immediately shook his head.
“No. You did this yourself.”
He picked up the letter.
Then he took my hand.
We left without another word.
Outside, he stopped beside the car.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
I looked at him.
“For what?”
“For all the times you asked me to see what was happening, and I asked you to be patient instead.”
I didn’t answer immediately.
“I love you, Ryan. But love isn’t enough if I have to keep proving that I deserve to be believed.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
“And I can’t marry you just because we’re already engaged. Not after this.”
He closed his eyes briefly.
