He isn't looking at her, and so he doesn't see the flicker of expression on her face, the way it feels like the bottom is dropping out of her stomach. How is it that they've talked this long and she still feels so raw and so lost?

"What does my parole have to do with this?" The words tumble out in genuine confusion before she catches herself, hands opening then closing again, wishing she had something to reach for. Some comfort. She needs it so badly right now, more than ever. "Is that why you really came here? To convince me to spare myself from misery?"