Rapunzel saw Eugene get closer to Sunflower. He was about to touch her hair when Rapunzel realized what he was about to do. Of all the things Rapunzel wished she could have back, her long blonde hair was second only to her mother. She could not let Eugene take that away from her daughter.
"Eugene, no!" she cried. She grabbed his hand, and the knife he had been holding fell out of his hand.
Sunflower jumped back, obviously afraid.
"Eugene, of all the things I miss, my hair is one of the things I miss most," said Rapunzel. "I can't let you take that away from my Flower."
Eugene frowned. "Rapunzel, nobody can live forever," he said.
"My mother tried," said Rapunzel. "And she would have done it if I hadn't been such a horrible daughter. I thought we could be a happy family. But if you're going to try and cut my daughter's hair, I can't let you stay here."
"Rapunzel, you've changed," said Eugene. "You've become too much like Gothel. I thought you loved your daughter, but I guess you only care about her hair."
Rapunzel shook her head. "You do not understand," she said. "I care about her more than the hair. If she wants to cut her hair, so be it. But if someone else tries to, that's not going to happen."
"Rapunzel, I'm sorry, but I can't stay here," said Eugene. "I love you. I won't tell anyone about where you are. Goodbye."
They kissed, then, and after making sure Eugene didn't have any other things to cut Sunflower's hair with, Rapunzel let them hug each other. Then he climbed out the window, and left the hidden valley.
Rapunzel and Sunflower cried for days.