[ The question startles him, something surprisingly vulnerable coming from a woman who has always kept herself guarded, her hurts carefully sealed away where they can’t do any harm. ]

Doing something monstrous does not always make you a monster, mon ami.

[ He turns to face her, hand still resting on her arm, hers slotted over top. ]

But… in the end, we become what we must, so that no one else has to bear the burden.