"You could stay here," he said as if the words hurt him.

Her words hurt him, she saw the sharp pain in his eyes.

She was right of course, he knew that, but her words hurt just the same.

For the first time the words of another man hurt.

His words hurt her, though she knew they were true.

Instead, he began talking in a rough voice, as if the words hurt.

Tell them we didn't think words could hurt their feelings, they're so big and tough.

The words had hurt, though she hadn't let anyone know.

His words had hurt her more than he'd ever know.

Though she'd long known the truth, his words still hurt.