Mona nodded slowly, listening to his words but not yet processing their meaning. But that understanding came crept up and the furrowing of her brows deepened further.
"Oh," she breathed heavily. Then, again, with even more sympathy: "Oh."
Mona looked at him for another moment longer and then, turning, she closed the space between the two of them and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, holding him close.