She tried to 'put on a brave face' [=she tried to appear brave or calm] despite the pain of the injury.
You can refuse to talk to her if you like, but you're just 'cutting off your nose to spite your face'.
They made it on time 'in spite of the fact' that they got a flat tire.
(..) Cause the deaths of countless innocents in selfish battle... ...again and again and again until we're both dead. Is that what you want? Think about it, hero. In spite of everything you've done for them, eventually, they will hate you. It's me again. How was your audition? - How'd you know? (..)2002 Spider-Man
(..) for a while, the people of this city. But the one thing they love more than a hero... ...is to see a hero fail, fall, die trying. In spite of everything you've done for them, eventually, they will hate you. Why bother? - Because it's right. - Here's the real truth. There are eight million people (..)2002 Spider-Man