Before she started explaining, Kevin believed her.
But what about Brian? He still didn’t trust her, and even rebuked her in front of Abby.
She bit the straw firmly, trying, and failing, to stop her tears.
Why did she care about Brian's feelings? If he didn't believe her, let it go! Why should she care about his attitude towards her?
Seeing her red eyes, Kevin raised his hand and rubbed her hair softly as he did when they were in the orphanage.
Alessa pulled herself out of her reverie and gently pulled away from his touch, trying not to hurt his feelings.
Kevin realized the intimacy of his subconscious action and pulled his hand away. Instead, he sat next to her.
Alessa turned to him and, deciding it was time, launched into her explanation, telling him the whole story from that day.
