{She waves her hand at the box and it disappears, the sigh of relief evident as it fades away.} Another time. I promise. It's a side best... revealed, in person, than coaxed out here. I'm just not... as prim and proper as I normally am... {The outline of the box begins to fade back into sight but she glares and it's gone.}
{The frustration was expected but she is unprepared for how it feels. His thoughts crack like a whip and she winces.} I don't want to stay... {She's upset and it unleashes a torrent of feelings in response to his question. It's fear and worry that keeps her from moving forward, so much at risk. Fear of having nothing for she has no job, no money, no place to live if she leaves Peter. She hasn't entertained the idea of living with Vlad since he never specified. Just because they had never talked about the future didn't mean Helena hadn't thought about it. The memories of Peter stop and her mind flashes to things like names of divorce attorrneys, prospects for jobs. There is a card with a realtor's name on it from when she was taking stock of how people moved into the building; a soft memory of Perhaps something on the third floor. For Vlad it might be a simple decision - So easy for you - but for Helena it wasn't. It's not just leaving a man but leaving a life behind and starting from the ground up. She's a woman in love, but she hasn't lost her practicality. It puts a damper on the romance but it's all she knows how to be.
A long litany of What ifs cover the walls, the most frequent one being What if he still keeps me at arm's length? for her choice is between a man who loves but doesn't respect her, for one who loves but doesn't trust her. It's been a source of consternation for her for so long that she doesn't even realize she's thinking it. She tries to be as understanding as possible at all times but he makes it especially hard for her and there he goes exposing her. She tries to reign it back in but it's too late and it makes her even more upset, turning everything red.} I love you, too. {The truth of her words doesn't change the hurt he pulled them from. There's a soft sniff of disapproval but she doesn't have the energy to fight Her.} And I'll leave him. And that's where I stand.