[ sonia's gaze drops too, her face softening. she steps in close again, reaches for his hand. her voice is thick, a little choked, but not forced. ]

There isn't anything, Byerly. There isn't anything anyone could have done. [ not a comforting thing to hear, she knows. especially after he's seen her angry and upset and beside herself over it. but it is, at least, the truth. ] Hating you wouldn't have made it any easier. There was nothing you failed to do.