"Which means, he really is dead."
Alicia's voice came out steady, even though it was barely above a whisper.
Theo stayed silent.
He was not very good at consoling others. Especially women.
He glanced awkwardly at Arthur, silently asking for help.
Arthur looked just as lost.
Theo glared at him.
Useless.
He rolled his eyes.
Arthur shrugged slightly.
What do you expect me to do?
Theo drew a quiet breath.
"Chi… Alicia. You don't mind if I call you Alicia?"
He did not wait for her answer.
"I am truly sorry about what happened to you. No one deserves it. Yet somehow, it always seems to happen to the kindest people. You certainly did not deserve it."
He exhaled slowly.
Then he reached forward and gently lifted Alicia's chin, guiding her to look at him.
"But it did happen, Alicia."
His voice remained soft.
Gentle. But firm.
"What are you going to do about it?"
The gentleness did not soften the challenge beneath it.
Alicia blinked.
She looks into Theo's misty grey eyes.
