I tried to confess my love.. but maybe I pushed too hard

I (25M) have known this girl for a few years now. We used to work together and during that time, we both caught feelings for each other. It was mutual — small gestures, shared looks, late talks — everything had that “almost something” energy. But after a couple of months, she told me she’d lost the feeling and wanted to just stay friends.

It hurt, but I respected her and stepped back. Still, we stayed in touch. We kept meeting occasionally for food, movies, random conversations — and somehow, my feelings never really went away.

A few months ago, I moved back to the same city and we got close again. She gave me gifts, wrote me a heartfelt note saying she saw a possible future together, and hinted at things like, “Proposal not valid without ring” — half joking, half serious. I really thought we were finding our way back to each other.

So I took a chance. I gave her a letter and planned a small surprise. When I confessed, she told me gently that she sees me as a close friend, but can’t call it love right now. She even said she had imagined marrying me if her parents arranged it, but not as a love marriage.

That stung more than I expected. I apologized for pressuring her and told her to take time and reach out whenever she’s ready. She just replied, “ok.”

Since then, silence after a month she reached out but now we are chatting 1 or two message a day or two.

She's been through a lot since childhood - family issues, emotional neglect, and a lot of pressure growing up. It's made her very guarded about love and attachment. Which made me not to leave her at any cost.. I wanted to be the one for her to provide calm and warmth.

I recently learned she has an avoidant attachment style, which might explain why she warms up and then suddenly distances herself. But part of me keeps wondering — did I make her feel trapped? Did I make her life heavier by trying too hard?

I’m trying to respect her space now, but it’s hard. I miss her every day. I still love her, but maybe that’s not enough anymore.

I really loved her, and I still do — but I don't want to make things worse for her. I am stuck at a phase don't know what to do..