“My heart is not yours to give. Even if it were, the moment you tried to retrieve it, you would find it missing. I gave it to William long ago, and he has not given it back.” The tears came now, threatening to fall, though they never did. “I love you. I would do anything to please you and make you happy. But William . . . I must tell him. I must do it. I cannot accept anyone else until I fully know his feelings. Please, Mama. Please understand this.”
