@Wesha could be because of the self-hatred she is/was an unreliable narrator. What she described as "unpleasant expression" could be him shocked/surprised that she would want to have a child with him - for somebody who hates themselves like obviously OG Grace did, it's common to misinterpret people's compliments or words as mockings and insults - even when the person did not mean for it so.

@Mara lilith But what about the child?...