Ryan frowned, not understanding what his mother meant by that. But Beca's expression remained firm and resolute, her confidence palpable. Bringing out her phone, she tapped it a few times before passing it to Ryan to check.
"Here," her voice came calm but cutting. "Take a look yourself. After this, tell me —do you still think you truly deserve Arwen?"
Ryan hesitated. He was both confused and terrified of what he might see. Recently, he had come to realize that, unknowingly, he had hurt Arwen in several ways. At the time, he had convinced himself that he was teasing her, punishing her for forcing him into a relationship he thought he didn't want. But now, in hindsight, he understood the truth —he hadn't been forced. He had stayed because, deep down, he had wanted to. He had just been too stubborn to admit it.