"I am sorry that you had to experience that," he said, meaning it. He would not wish that on all but perhaps Nikola. If he thought that Nikola actually loved Helen as a person, it would have been perfect. John doubted that would be true.

"I believe she feared that I would be so upset at the news I would possibly harm her. Or for moral support. Either way, she had to know the choice of Nikola would be painful and insulting. Perhaps it was a message."