The fact that he's shaken by this is only proof of her point, Sonia is sure. It only lends validation. She takes another step toward him, tears in her voice.

"I know you are," she whispers back, because that's all she can manage. "But you won't let yourself be whole. Only you did around me, for me, I don't know -- I don't pretend to understand it -- and now you don't. So stop it. Stop trying to disappear into something I couldn't have loved. You left, Byerly."

Her voice breaks into a sob. "Just stop it. Just let me be hurt."