"Since you won't do it yourself, let me help you dry your hair."
Nathan lifted his head slightly, frowning at Ava, his expression a mix of resistance and underlying meaning.
"No need, I'm not as fragile as you think."
Ignoring his protest, Ava turned and retrieved a dry cap and hairdryer from the bathroom. She began to dry Nathan's hair, but he dodged her touch, never having been treated like this by her before. Nathan, now unusually sensitive due to the company's collapse, felt a surge of irritation. He snatched the dry cap from Ava's hand and threw it to the ground.
"Enough! I said I don't need it!"
Ava paused, a flicker of hurt crossing her face. Nathan noticed her brief expression of sadness and felt a pang of guilt. He shouldn't have snapped at Ava, but he couldn't bring himself to apologize. Instead, he hastily fell back onto the bed, pulling the blanket over his head to hide his turmoil.
