THIRD POV
Helen crossed the short distance between them quietly before lowering herself onto the couch beside Alexander.
Alexander remained still, his shoulders tense as he stared ahead, but then Helen slowly placed a hand on his arm.
The contact made him stiffen almost immediately.
This wasn't the first time Helen had done that, but it felt different this time around.
It felt unfamiliar.
Helen noticed the tension instantly but didn’t remove her hand.
Instead, she spoke quietly.
“Alex, you cannot possibly be okay right now.”
Alexander inhaled sharply.
Helen continued before he could respond.
“Not with everything you’re carrying.”
Something about the calmness in her voice made it unbearable somehow.
Alexander exhaled slowly through his nose before abruptly standing to his feet.
