Elijah frowned but was grateful of the hug and held her. "You're too kind, Rose. I really don't know why you are being this nice. You are acting like my scars don't exist and I'm some wonderful man. I wish I could see myself the way you do, but I don't. And there's more.. personal reasons I feel I can't make a woman happy in a relationship and I am sorry. If I could be the loving man you'd deserve I'd marry you, but I would fail you and you need someone who won't make you miserable.' He was so tempted to tell her the real reason, but she'd hate him and made sure others would too, followed by him having to leave town and hope to disappear from everyone's thoughts.