Forget the old man, she says sternly, so coldly, so devoid of all the love that I know her to have, that I don't recognize her, and for that I don't recognize the world. They are my roots, my foundations, and they sit before me now uprooted and saying things I never thought they'd say. You will not allow a Flawed to ruin your life, she says, and her voice cracks.
The protagonist experiences a profound sense of disconnection from a loved one, whose stern words starkly contrast with the affection he once knew. This shift in demeanor leaves him feeling lost, as the foundation of his reality—represented by his loved ones—seems to be shaken. The stark command to forget someone significant reflects a fear of being influenced by flaws or imperfections, revealing deeper emotional turmoil.
This moment captures the harsh realities of relationships and the difficulty in reconciling love with the harsh judgments that can emerge during turmoil. The loved one's voice, despite its coldness, reveals vulnerability, highlighting the complexity of human emotions when faced with difficult decisions. It challenges the idea of unconditional love, showing how fear can overshadow even affectionate bonds.