[ She lets him apologize, but when he's finished, she squeezes his hand, gives him a warm, understanding look. ]

I know. I know you wouldn't have. I wouldn't have blamed you if that's what you needed to do, though.

[ She glances down at how their hands are locked together, fingers entwined. ]

I would have understood any steps you needed to take to be able to walk away. It gets harder, after a while, doesn't it?