Misunderstandings, maybe he thinks she had feelings for the fugitive and doesn't want to get in the way or feeling like he has no place in her life because of his trauma and the fact she went to jail helping his family.
Whatever it is he needs to figures himself out bcz mc did enough already
I mean, the first part of that, he'd be extremely stupid not to just ask her outright if she did, seeing as she clearly stated "it's the right thing to do," but I actually can buy the part of his trauma and feeling responsible since his family was involved. Yeah, I want the MC to thrive, so he better be the one wooing her this time ლ(´ڡ`ლ)
Not sure why Ian is acting so indifferently. She never made it seem like she didn't appreciate his help or wanted it, but only said that it wasn't the right thing to do; she's a woman with principles, and she ended up in jail because she wanted to help his own sister in the first place. Therefore, I'm extremely confused about Ian's attitude in that scene; why wasn't he waiting for her release? He has NOTHING to say to her even though it's clear he was at some point hoping for a future together???? ┑(￣Д ￣)┍