The quote suggests a complex relationship dynamic where one person is deeply invested, while the other remains unaware of the true nature of their connection. The individual who feels an emotional bond perceives the other as central to their life, despite the irony that the feelings may not be reciprocated in the same way. This creates a sense of pain and longing for the person who is emotionally attached.

The use of "painful" emphasizes the struggle of unreciprocated feelings and the sense of illusion versus reality in relationships. The emotional turmoil that arises from such disparity highlights the themes of love and identity in Margaret Atwood's "The Robber Bride," inviting readers to reflect on the complexities of human connection.