Eva's inner turmoil was a tempest threatening to consume her, yet she remained steadfast in her resolve not to reveal her vulnerability to Xylon.
Memories of Simon and the painful echoes of his death churned within, but she was determined to shield those fragments from further scrutiny.
Avoiding the subjects of Simon and Charles was a deliberate choice, a conscious effort to prevent herself from descending into the depths of her own sorrow and guilt.
The specters of the deceased and the choices she had been forced to make haunted her thoughts, and she sought refuge from their grasp.
As the weight of her emotions threatened to overwhelm her, Eva found a lifeline in the form of Xylon's reassuring grip around her wrist.
His touch served as an anchor, grounding her in the present moment and offering solace amidst the storm of her thoughts.
His guiding touch led Eva to sit closer to him, her presence nestled comfortably on his lap.