[Even if she had asked -- assuming Ion would have even told her the truth -- she still wouldn't have gotten an answer. Ion himself didn't ask, because he didn't want to know. How could it possibly benefit him to have a time limit? It's possible not even those at the clinic would have told him if he'd asked. They saw how he looked when they confirmed the diagnosis, after all...]
[As he glances up, he sees the hesitance in her smile, and all at once wishes he didn't have to tell her. Would it have been better to hide it indefinitely? Could he have even gotten away with doing so? Probably not, but... at the very least, he can give her some hope. He may not have much to spare, but that doesn't mean he can't still try, right?]
[He gives her hand a gentle squeeze, trying with all his might to keep his voice steady and calm.]
[action]
[As he glances up, he sees the hesitance in her smile, and all at once wishes he didn't have to tell her. Would it have been better to hide it indefinitely? Could he have even gotten away with doing so? Probably not, but... at the very least, he can give her some hope. He may not have much to spare, but that doesn't mean he can't still try, right?]
[He gives her hand a gentle squeeze, trying with all his might to keep his voice steady and calm.]
I will be all right, Anise. I promise.