"Don't, Macaque. Because to be honest, I'm struggling with whether or not I am grateful...especially because it sounds like that put me right back in her care." It wasn't a new struggle really, with Cole having questioned the validity of his existance a lot, and whether certain other choices might have been better. That was for later existential dread though. "If you're going to make a deal, even if it's for something as simple as a kiss, make it something that will benefit you." There was no world in which stopping him from having to say thank you was something Cole would believe benefitted Macaque.

He looked at Max. "Okay...I don't want to, but I need to know what you did and how she took advantage...only because coming back here different isn't doing anyone any favors."