She studied him.
“And the money?”
“I’m keeping the records of what I received. I’ve arranged to repay what I can from the amounts that were personal gifts to me. I don’t want to pretend your generosity never mattered, but I also don’t want to use it as a reason you should trust me.”
Raquel looked at him carefully.
“You know I never asked you to repay me.”
“I know. This isn’t about punishing myself. It’s about making sure I can choose you freely, without feeling that I owe you my future.”
She looked down at her hands.
“And if I never take you back?”
Raúl swallowed.
“Then I’ll be heartbroken. But I’ll still have to respect your decision.”
Raquel’s eyes filled with tears.
“Why are you making this so difficult for me?”
He gave a sad smile.
“I’m not trying to make it difficult.”
