That's more-or-less exactly what I was going for! The first time I saw the film, I was so thoroughly appalled by Mark and basically full of second-hand rage/hurt. But the more I thought about it--and the more times I watched it--the more I sympathized with him. It's untenable either way, right? Damned if you keep Wardo, damned if you don't.

So I wanted to keep that sense that Wardo was all wrong for the job--no matter how much he thought he wanted it--and show how that works out. And forgiving is much more heroic than anything Mark's done, right? So, in a way, Wardo wins across the board.

Your comment is so super awesome, though. I've read fics that moved me that strongly in the past and it is soul-warming that I incited that reaction in you. I'm sorry it was rage, yes, but still. Thank you for reading with such care. :)