A sweet, feminine voice broke through the charged atmosphere. "Brother Eric…" Helena's tone was light, melodic, and deliberately gentle, a carefully constructed mask. She approached with the grace of a performer on stage, every step calculated.
Her words seemed to catch in her throat as her gaze flickered between Eric and Aria. For the briefest moment, an undeniable anger surged in her eyes as she took in the intimate position of the two. Aria still clung to Eric, her arms around him, her face close to his. But Helena quickly schooled her expression into one of feigned warmth, a light smile playing on her lips as though the sight didn't bother her in the slightest.
Aria, startled by Helena's sudden appearance, felt a sharp jolt of reality strike her. So, he came here to see Helena? The thought twisted painfully in her chest, snuffing out the fragile flame of hope she had allowed herself to feel. She realized then how foolish she had been.
