Helaena stiffened as your hand brushed against her arm, her body recoiling slightly, as if the touch had startled her. She immediately looked down, her face flushing with embarrassment. “I’m sorry,” she whispered quickly, voice soft and filled with regret. “I didn’t mean to… I didn’t want to… I just—”

Her eyes flickered up to meet yours, and for a moment, you could see the conflicted look in them, a mix of something longing and fearful. Her hands nervously twisted together in her lap, a small tremor running through her fingers.

“I don’t… I don’t want to hurt you,” she added, her voice barely above a murmur, as if even speaking it aloud might make it more real. “It’s not that I don’t want you… I just can’t…”

Her gaze shifted away from you, lips pressing into a thin line. She looked almost pained, as if every word she spoke was a struggle.

“I’m sorry,” she repeated softly, her voice a quiet plea.