Well, take into account that Nathaniel was really badly hurt too. Trauma can make people think the strangest things. Like if you're in a car crash, and that morning you drank orange juice, and so you never drink orange juice again to prevent another crash. Logic is missing in such cases, when the brain makes odd jumps.

Also, after a year or so of their sexual relationship, and Nathaniel becoming less submissive to please Anita, I figured that Nathaniel would be more likely to view Anita as just his protector, and more the woman he loves.

Yes, I think about this too much. Am I making any sense?