He hadn't known. Malou realized with a sinking feeling as the happiness seeped from his face. He hadn't expected that, hadn't known what a burden she actually would be to him. Her oddities he could accept, but not her lack of money. Malou couldn't meet his gaze, her eyes dropping down to his collar, resting there as she waited for his judgment - the withdrawing of all her happiness.

There was no warmth in his voice as he began to talk, Malou could have cried at that. But then there was that word. Stolen. He knew then. He knew and it still wasn't enough. But then his voice softened as he mentioned himself and she braved a look up at his face to see the small smile on his features, reassuring her, but she couldn't smile back, all she could do was swallow back the emotions clawing at her throat.

It had never been a concern? She met his gaze then, blinking as she took in what he said. She had been so worried in December that his family would never accept her because of what had happened. That she was wasting both their times. But she couldn't give him up then. To give him up now? She wasn't sure she could do that either.

It dawned on her now that his tone before hadn't been directed at her - it had been directed at her uncle. At the way life had dealt her the hand it had. She gave him a wavering smile and found that the only word she could think to say was, "Oh."