With all respect, a better life doesn't involve letting my friends be punished for something they never meant to do.

[Already shifting a little in his determination, acknowledging that she may have done something now - but not judging. If anything, he believes in her the more for that subtle shift in nuance.]

And it shouldn't have to be that way. This world has been very kind to us all, so far. I'm sure we'll overcome this, too.

[Maybe that's just what he wants to believe; maybe he even knows that that's what he's doing. But he can't give up on his - their - new life yet.]