Raquel sighed.
“He hurt me.”
“I know.”
“He allowed me to walk into a situation where I was humiliated.”
“I know that too.”
Raquel stared at the ring.
“What if I make the same mistake again?”
María sat beside her.
“Then you should ask yourself whether Raúl is the same kind of man as the people who hurt you before. Not whether he has the power to hurt you, because everyone does. Ask whether he takes responsibility when he does.”
Raquel remained silent.
María continued.
“You told me once that you wanted someone who could tell you the truth, even when it was uncomfortable. Has he done that?”
“Yes.”
“Has he demanded that you forgive him?”
“No.”
“Has he used the money he received from you to make you feel obligated to keep him?”
Raquel looked at her daughter.
“No.”
“Then perhaps you don’t need to decide today whether you can spend the rest of your life with him. Perhaps you only need to decide whether you’re willing to have one honest conversation.”
