~Anne's POV~
I remained motionless for at least a minute, completely unsure of what to do next. Although I wanted Riccardo here, I didn't actually expect that he would be back. Then there was Thomas Brown, who wouldn't leave no matter how many times I asked him too, he wouldn't let me call for help either. I didn't want the two of them to see each other, at least not like this.
My eyes turned towards Riccardo who also seemed to stop moving the moment he locked eyes with Thomas. I couldn't begin to imagine the number of things going on in his head at the moment, but I could tell that he had definitely misunderstood everything.
"Riccardo—"
He stopped me with a raised hand, his first motion since entering my residence. Then slowly he turned towards me, disappointment etched onto every corner of his face as we locked eyes.
"Don't," he said quietly, his voice low but firm. Not angry.
That hurt more than if he'd shouted.
