Leave Me Alone

Emma sat at her desk in her and Alex's room, completely absorbed in the delicate lines of her latest dress design.

The tip of her pencil moved gracefully over the sketchpad, shaping a flowing evening gown with intricate lace details. Designing had always been her escape and her own way of expressing herself without words.

She was just about to add the finishing touches when the door burst open. She jolted, her pencil slipping and leaving an unintended mark on the paper.

Alex rushed in, his face tense, his breathing uneven like he had run all the way there even though he had only been downstairs bringing water to Emma when Chris called him.

Emma frowned, lowering her pencil. "Alex? What's going on?" She took in his expression, concern immediately replacing the irritation of being interrupted. "Why do you look so tense?"