And the scorpion said to the swan...

Self-doubt:

Vicki could feel his pain with every fiber of her being, but couldn’t understand the source.

Why did Mike want to leave when everything was finally falling into place?

Was it because of her? Why was everybody leaving her?!

Now it was her shaking as she held on to him for dear life, her head buried between his shoulder blades.

His cold hand on hers made her loosen her grip and he turned to look at her, but she couldn’t look him in the eyes. Instead she once again hugged him close and, to her surprise, he fiercely hugged her back.