The News.

As the world struggled with the news about Alfred in the comfort of their friends and families, Richard struggled with the news alone. 

The news about his father also aired, making it difficult for him to be able to breathe and finally, he understood Arissa's point of view. Finally, he understood she was only trying to protect him and at the thought of protecting, his face became red from anger. 

Trying to protect him? By keeping him clueless about everything? Was that how she protected the people she loved, by shutting them away from everything? What if she failed and maybe, something happened to her? Would she have died without any of them knowing? 

He furiously dropped the coffee mug on the sitting room table and rubbed the tip of his nose in deep thought.