ALARMED

Helen paced back and forth in the dimly lit living room, her worried gaze fixed on the flickering flames of the fireplace. The crackling sound seemed to echo the unease that had settled in her heart. Christiana, her sister-in-law, had been acting strangely lately, and it was beginning to take a toll on everyone, especially Helen.

The usually composed and level-headed Christiana had become a bundle of nerves, prone to sudden outbursts and irrational panics. It was as if the ground beneath her feet had become unstable, and she was desperately grasping for stability. Helen couldn't help but wonder what could be causing this sudden change in her.

Ever since the birth of her baby, the air around Christiana had been charged with anxiety. Helen watched as her sister-in-law became increasingly fixated on the smallest details, fretting over every little thing. A slight cough from the baby would send her into a frenzy of worry, frantically checking for signs of illness. Christiana's sleep-depri