Page 120 of Still Love You

My parents look at each other, frustration on their faces. My dad turns back to me. "I think we've talked enough for now. Silas asked me to tell you to call him when we're done, so go ahead."

"I can't. I um...I broke up with Silas."

"Willow, no," my mom says. "You can't blame Silas for this."

"He lied to me, Mom. He kept this from me when he knew I'd want to be told."

My dad comes up in front of me. "Listen to me. Silas has done a lot for us and you need to thank him for that, not punish him. He's been working on the farm since the day he got back into town. When Diane told him what was going on, he was at our doorstep, practically begging me to let him help. He refused to take any money. He's been working for free this entire time."

I swallow hard. "I know. But he still should've told me."

"He wanted to, many times, but I told him not to. I told him it was my job to tell you, not his, and he respected that. He's given up a lot to help us, Willow. He even dropped two of his summer classes so he could work for us. We're damn lucky to have him. He gets twice as much done as my other employees and he won't accept a dime. So don't you dare punish him for this. He did as I asked and kept quiet."

"I don't want to talk about this. I'll be in my room." I turn and walk down the hall, feeling my parents' eyes on me. I know they're mad at me for breaking up with Silas but it's not their decision.

When I'm back in my room, I check my phone and see some texts from Silas, asking me how I'm doing and telling me to call him. But instead, I lie on my bed and end up falling asleep. I don't wake up until I hear my mom knocking on my door.

"Come in," I say, sitting up.

My mom walks over and sits next to me on the bed. "We're having dinner soon."

"Okay. I'll be there in a few minutes." I check my phone and see more texts from Silas.

"Are you going to call him?" my mom asks.

"I'm not ready to."

"Willow, you're being unreasonable. He did what your father asked. If it had been up to Silas, he would've told you."

"He didn't have to listen to Dad."

"No, but the fact that he did shows that he's respectful of your father and me, and that says a lot about his character."

"But he wasn't respectful of me. Are you saying that doesn't matter?"

"Willow, you know Silas respects you. Stop trying to make him the villain here. He begged us to tell you about this every day since you got back. This hasn't been easy on him. In fact, just last week he told your father he couldn't keep this a secret any longer." 

That explains his behavior. All last week Silas kept giving my dad these looks but I didn't know what they meant. And then I'd catch him talking to my dad, looking really serious, but as soon as I approached him, he'd smile and act like everything's fine. So I guess he really did want to tell me but wasn't willing to do so without my dad's approval, which still makes me angry. His loyalty should be to me, not my dad.

"It's not just that," I say.

"Not what?"

"It's not just the fact that Silas didn't tell me. That's not the only reason I broke up with him."

"What's the other reason?"

I pause, my eyes tearing up. "I just...I don't want to hurt him again. I don't know if I see a future with Silas, and if I don't, then I need to let him go. For good this time."

"Willow." My mom rubs my arm. "What have I always told you?"

"To go with my heart. But that's not good enough for me. I can't be with him just because I..." I look down.

"Love him?" she asks softly.

I don't answer.

"Honey, that's enough of a reason to be with him. Love doesn't come along very often, and if you let it go, you may not find it again."

---