She is 21 years old. She had a very messed up childhood, her father was a crack addict and an alcoholic. He abandoned her when she was around 11 and didnt start talking to her again till she was around 17 and then died soon after as a result of his abuses. Her step father has always been very cruel to her, saying things like “i shoulda left you in the gutter with you father” and “i dont care if you live or die”.
She has developed a thick outter shell and doesnt share the insides with many people. But she is very emotional and sharing with me. Somedays she is very hot and some days she is very cold. She has had many relationships however most did not last long except one, but they broke up like 10 times over a 3 year period.

Relationship Background:

We have been together for 8 months now. We dove in head first we were together almost everyday after the first date. She told me she loved me after like 3 weeks and how is amazing i was and how she wanted to be together for ever, i felt the same. Over the past few weeks she has become distant. I would mark the start of this period with her telling me that she is not sure whether she wants to be with me forever anymore. All of a sudden her constant barrage of i love u text msg’s has stopped and she has been making less time for me. Naturally i want to know what’s up and this how it went down:

Me: So why are u acting so distant lately?

Her: There is something wrong with me i dont love you like i did at first even though i should your great.

Me: ?????? what?

Her: There are things you dont know about me i have a defense mechanism. I dont let people get to close because then they are able to hurt me. This is why all my relationships end because i always try to find things wrong so i can leave the guy and then he wont be able to hurt me.

Me: I would never hurt you. I love you. We can work through this, im here for you.

Her: You deserve better i need some time and space to think about this ill call you in a few days.

Me: (hurt and angered) ok call me, bye. (hangs up phone)

That was 2 days ago we havent spoke since. If she wants to leave ill just accept it even though i still love her and want to be with her.
But if she cant change i dont want to be with her. Can she ever change/ let her guard down?

Bamboo Steamers