Page 145 of The Daddy’s Girl

It pains me to answer him with honesty. “Of course I will. If that’s what she wants. I’d rather cut off my own arm before I get in the way of that.”

For a moment, Ronan only stares at me.

“I don’t expect you to forgive me today. With time, I know you’ll accept us.”

When he doesn’t respond, keeping his back to me, I take another step into the room.

“I am not sorry for falling in love with Amelia. I am not sorry for the future I want with her. I’m sorry you had to find out like this, and I know we should have told you sooner, but every decision I made was for her. Everything I do is for her. I might not be a good friend, but I will be a good man, for her. That you can count on.”

With that, I turn and walk out of his office.

Rule #41: Dreams can always change.

Amelia

The floorboards creak, and I turn from my task of shoving all my clothes into my suitcase to find my mother standing in the doorway.

I don’t know if I can take another disappointed parent today. With a sigh, I turn my back and get back to work emptying my drawers and closet.

If she notices me emptying my room, she doesn’t say anything.

“I’m not here to lecture you,” she says softly.

“That’s good because you have no room to do that.”

“I know,” she replies. She takes a seat on my bed and watches me pack.

Meanwhile, I feel like my tear ducts couldn’t produce another tear, so they sting like crazy.

“Amelia, I can’t tell you what to do. I can’t force you into a life or a choice, and even if I could, I wouldn’t want to. You are a brilliant woman, and you deserve a mother who will treat you like one.”

I bite my lip as her words draw out more emotion I’m trying not to show.

“But can I offer you a touch of advice based on what I’ve experienced? My mother was gone by the time I reached adulthood, and I would have killed for a piece of her wisdom at that time of my life.”

Tossing a skirt into a duffel bag, I turn toward her in surrender. Wordlessly I respond with a simple nod. Then I sit on the bed next to her.

She takes my hands in hers and strokes my knuckles in a slow, soft motion.

“I know you’re going to his place. And it sounds very exciting to you, I’m sure. But do yourself a favor, Melly. Don’t lose yourself in the man you love. Prove to yourself that you can do it alone. It will be the most rewarding thing you can do for yourself. I know you want him, but you don’t need him. You don’t need anyone.”

She runs her thumb along my cheek, and I can’t hold back the tears. “I’m not like you, Mom. I was never like you. You’re smart and independent and motivated. I know you did it on your own before you met Dad, but what if I mess up? What if I lose everything I’ve worked for?”

“You are not like me, Amelia, but that is what makes you valuable and precious. You are smart. You think like no one else I know. If you fail, my love, you will learn.”

I let out a sob as I fall into my mom’s arms. She holds me, and I’m filled with regret. Part of me actually wishes I could stay young to keep this relationship with her. My mom has been my biggest support my entire life, and now I’m truly an adult.

It’s time for me to go.

And what will become of us when I do?

“You’re not mad at me?” I cry.

“No, Melly. I’m not mad at you. Or him. And your father will get over it eventually. He’s just upset that his little girl isn’t a little girl anymore. But I think in time he’ll see what I see.”

I pull away, wiping my eyes as I stare at her. “Which is?”

She fixes my bangs and runs her fingers through my hair. “That Matis truly does love you.”