She originally believed he was simply using her, but later suspects he was pitying her.
en.wikipedia.org I get it all the time --the seemingly innocent queries, perplexed, pitying looks, and left-handed compliments.
www.cnn.com He spent years enjoying pitying his single friends, and somehow, he's now 30 and single.
www.huffingtonpost.com Other unhelpful responses included inadequate or overly forceful restraint by the parent; shaming, threatening, yelling, slapping, lying; or, alternately, pitying, placating, bribing, and helpless parent behaviors.
en.wikipedia.org Although being able to speak, he has chosen to stay silent because of the pitying looks of the people around him.
en.wikipedia.org