{{And as I wrote, or at least tried to get across, she'd try and suppress, but I don't think she could pull it off.}}

Is that the line, 'I tried to pay attention.'?

That doesn't read to me that she tried to suppress her feelings. Well, maybe vaguely. It seems more as though she simply failed to pay attention that day that Bert said go home. But I agree, if Anita were to have a complete breakdown, what you describe here is a pre~~ty darn good description. You even added that line of doubting Jean-Claude...which I think is very in character for Anitia.