[ Grell's features soften as she'll hear him out, but it's when she shifts to cup his face, instead, that her brow furrows with seriousness. ]

That's my decision to make - and I could not disagree more.

[ Leaning on closer, she'll gaze into his eyes, taking on all the sorrow and self-loathing he feels. She recognizes it well, after all; it isn't unfamiliar to her. ]

I'll tell you a secret, William; I've been insulted, disregarded... lead on, disowned, and beaten... there is not one thing you could do that might break me, because I've been built stronger than that.

[ Only then does a smile begin to pluck at her lips. ]

And you've already given me more than I ever could have hoped for.