It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover

He stares at me for a beat, then says, “What has you convinced you’ll be
any better?”
“Treating Lily the way she deserves to be treated is the easiest part of my
life. I think you should be relieved she’s with someone like me.”
He laughs. “Relieved? I should be relieved?” He takes several steps
toward me, his anger ascending again. “You’re the reason we aren’t
together!”
It takes everything in me to remain on these steps, and every ounce of
patience I have not to return his shouts with my own. “You’re the reason you
aren’t together. It was your anger and your fists that got you here. I was
barely an acquaintance in Lily’s life when she was with you, so do the mature
thing and stop blaming me, and Lily, and everyone else for your actions.” I
stand up, but not to hit him. I just need to make room in my chest to exhale
because if I don’t, I’m not sure how much longer I can do this without raising
my voice to his level. It’s hard looking at him and remaining composed,
knowing what he’s done to Lily. “Dammit,” I mutter. “This is ridiculous.”
Ryle and I are both quiet for a moment. Maybe he can tell I’m at my limit
because I’m not keeping my frustration as under control anymore. I spin and
face him, looking at him pleadingly. “This is our life now. Yours, mine,
Lily’s, your daughter’s. We have to deal with this. Forever. Holidays,
birthdays, graduations, Emerson’s wedding. All these things are going to be
difficult for you, but you’re the only one who can make sure they aren’t
difficult for the rest of us, too. Because none of us owes you our happiness.
Especially Lily.”
Ryle shakes his head. He paces like he’s trying to erase the asphalt and
uncover earth. “You expect me to what—to cheer you two on? To wish you
well? To encourage you to be a good father to my fucking daughter?” He
laughs at the absurdity he finds in the idea of that, but I keep a very straight
face.
“Yes. Exactly that.”
I think my response throws him off. He pauses and threads his hands at the
nape of his neck.
I take a step closer to him, but not in a threatening way. I don’t want to
yell. I want Ryle to hear the absolute sincerity in my voice. “As happy as I
know I can make Lily, she’ll never be fully happy until she has your
acceptance and cooperation. And you’re making it difficult, even though you
know she deserves a good life. They both do. If you want your daughter to