This time, Malcolm does pull his hands away.

“What it sounds similar to and what it is are two different things. I wanted you to understand why I chose something you might not have chosen, but I didn’t choose it because I don’t understand it. Loving him is a valid reason to stay with him. He needs me. I want him. He loves me. He really, really does. Whatever he’s working out about himself, it doesn’t preclude that.”