“Please say something, Alex. Don’t keep saying nothing. Please say something. Just let me explain.”

He pleads, watching as her expression slowly changes. She starts crying again after a few moments. He pulls his chair back and hurries over to her side, wrapping his arm tightly around her shoulder, holding her close to him.

“Shh.” He whispers tenderly. “Everything is okay now. Everything is fine. Look at me. Listen to me. Let’s talk this through. Okay?”

She nods against his chest and wipes her tears off her face with the sleeve of her shirt.

“Look at me.” He says again. This time, he turns her face towards him so that...