Preaching to the choir, Stark. What didn't, is probably a better question...

Five years. She's not sure what to make of it. She should be grateful he's found someone to support him, surely, (sweet summer child) but something churns in the pit of her stomach all the same unpleasantly. But that aside, something about his answer feels... not quite right. She notes, too, how empty his smile is-- it sends a shiver down her spine, because she doesn't think she's ever seen an expression quite like this on her Tony's face.

Pepper bites her lip, a lightest frown crossing her face. "But you love her?" she asks quietly after a beat, unable to help herself; why that is, she can't or won't answer even in the privacy of her mind.