"You are right that they would and will struggle to understand and accept. They only know that when they have been touched that way, it has hurt them and they cannot help but grieve your pain. That is the curse of being loved. Your curse, for being loved means you must consider them when you use yourself as a tool. All things you are well aware of, I know." He's working up to his point, as he often does, but he's careful to keep his voice neutral, to not seem like he's trying to influence her any one way. If only he could stop his own bitter sorrow from seeping through, but he has no defense against that from Valdis. 

"When you touch Max, does the thought of what I have done to him cross your mind?"