His explanation was exactly what she needed to hear. Lies and sweet talking would have just confused things. She needed to hear the exact truth, just the way he told her. Sure, there was a touch of pain at hearing him say he didn't love her, as irrational as being upset by that was considering everything, but it was the truth, and that was the important bit.
"You don't have to marry me to be part of her life. We're already a step ahead of most seperated parents, we live in the same complex. It will be easy for you to get to spend time with her." She told him calmly. She admired his devotion to Ella and to sorting this out but she couldn't marry him for the wrong reasons. "You can be happy without chaining yourself to me. I don't want this, I don't want you proposing because of Ella. If you propose I want you to be doing it because you want me." Were there... yes there were very slight tears in her eyes. The ice queen was melting.