The right to choose includes choosing less than someone else hoped you would.

Choice is easy to grant when the choice made matches the one expected. The real test comes when someone picks the smaller portion, the shorter visit, the lesser role, or the quieter life, and the disappointment in the room begins arguing that they have not really chosen freely. If only one answer keeps its welcome, what was offered was not a choice.

Look at where you have been offering options with a preferred one attached. Say plainly that the smaller answer is allowed, then receive it without a second round of persuasion. If you are the one choosing less, no explanation shaped like an apology is owed.