Were they speaking of anything else, at any other point in time, Ellis' expression might have softened in amusement at her outrage.

But that is not a possibility in this moment.

It's not so simple as yes or no. It's about the weight of all this ugliness, and wanting so badly to draw a line around it, wall it away so it would never reach this house or this garden, so Wysteria never has to decide if her opinion of him needs changing.

Rather than answer the question immediately, Ellis tips his hands back, lifts his hands to his face. The great inhale and exhale of cold air rasps in place of a reply, as he plucks at the threads of his composure, steadying himself. Waits for words to come to him.