she noticed the dark patches under her eyes and thought God-one-more-day-to-survive.

he noticed the dark patches under her eyes after having bland sex and thought Goddamn-it.

she noticed how he had to put in effort to satisfy her and still couldn't.

he noticed her dissatisfaction with him and consequent want of younger, healthier men.

she noticed how it took him a few seconds extra to get off a chair.

he noticed the same.

they separated. they gave up what defined the past, because the future does not get any better because of that. obviously the solution to pain is not gain.