"It will be," he said with a sigh. "But I'll not back down. The only person who can say I won't be marrying Stephanie will be Stephanie."

He fiddled with the ring on his finger with his thumb. She had not been so far gone that she had wanted the ring back. But.. how much poison had Crane poured into her ear?

He blinked at her question. Well, crap. He would have to explain that. Though hone more to the truth. "A few years back I was in a lab accident in Veridian's labs. My hearing's not quite been the same since then. I'm not deaf, but..."

He shrugged. And then he hoped that would be enough of an explanation.