[Alex isn't thinking about pain in that way, she's thinking about how much he hates to allow any sliver of his personal life out there. And this, right here is very personal. So personal that even she didn't know about it, though she could guess. Withdrawing slightly from him, her hand moves to his cheek, and when she speaks, her emotion evident in her voice.]
no subject
I'm sorry this is happening to you, my Richard.