Actually, I can answer the question myself. Because I allowed it. It was just as much my fault as his. He was the absolutist doer. I was the silent order follower.
I press my lips together, so he won't see how much they tremble. We are closer to the core of our relationship than ever before. And I know it's time to reveal the essence.
I lock eyes with him. "Do you love me?" I ask intently.
Without a moment's hesitation, he nods vigorously. Before he can reply any further, I raise my hand.
"Me, Florian. Not the diligent Hanna who bakes you bread, cleans the huts without complaining, and always strives to please you," I pause for a moment to emphasize my words. "But the person I am in here." I place my hand over my heart. "With all my dreams, strengths, and weaknesses."
At first, I see confusion in his eyes, but then his facial muscles slowly soften. His mouth opens, but he says nothing.
"You can't answer the question, can you? Because you don't really know who I am," I realize. He has never been interested in my thoughts. And a few moments ago, I understood why.
To him, too, I was always just Hanna Daydreamer.
"I…" He begins.
Shaking my head, I look down at my engagement ring. I gaze at it for a few seconds, then I exhale deeply and lift my gaze to meet Florian's. "Sometimes you have to leave old paths to grow on new ones," I say in a choked voice. Slowly, I remove the ring from my finger, feeling as if I'm freeing myself from a shackle.
