Third-Person POV:

Alice trembled all over, her expression one of pain.

Sam sensed her unease and hastily fetched a soothing pill, coaxing it into Alice's mouth.

Alice refused to swallow the medication.

Tears streamed down her face, mingling with unchecked snot, indifferent to any semblance of dignity.

She berated herself for her weakness, her repeated lapses in judgment.

Robert was surrounded by irrational lunatics, and she just couldn't remember.

Though Sam had missed the exact words during their phone call, he could discern enough from her reaction.

"To outsiders, he's not much different from your father. You're considered family, so this kind of relationship is somewhat .."

Alice murmured, "I...