She blinks, not in abject shock but more a slow acceptance of what he's saying. It hurts to hear because a part of her, of course, wants to believe that they'll be together again. That if she took that time she's asking for, she'd eventually be in a place to ask him to have a go at... something.

But it's good, too. Because Michael shouldn't be unhappy and alone. He should be loved. And if someone does that for him, then she's happy, too.

She smiles and nods.

"I know you don't want to hurt me," she assures him. "And I'm happy you have someone. A good someone. You deserve that, Michael."