Love Unspoken

In the fleeting moment that was granted to her, Quinn's mind was a whirlwind of memories. Visions of Alexander's neglect, his icy indifference, and the emotional chasm he maintained between them flooded her thoughts. Yet, intertwined with these were glimpses of warmth, instances where he had shown her care, tenderly tousling her hair with a smile.

Given his lack of love for her, his past neglect suddenly seemed justifiable. It was this realization that steadied Quinn's hand. She made a resolute decision and firmly signed her name on the paper. It was time to liberate him, to release him to the arms of his true love. Simultaneously, it was time for her to emancipate herself from her own longing and the clandestine love that dared not voice itself.

As she completed the inscription of her first name, her pen faltered, leaving a long streak across the paper. The following instant, Alexander snatched the documents from her grasp. "Time's up," he declared. Quinn could only stare at him in stunned silence as he nonchalantly ripped the divorce papers in half and discarded them into the wastebasket.

He held her gaze, his dark eyes intense. "You've missed your chance, Quinn." Caught off guard, Quinn stood frozen, the pen still clutched in her hand, feeling utterly bewildered.

sign the word 'divorce' again," he ordered. Quinn looked up at him, her long lashes quivering. He leaned in close, his hand resting on the back of the couch, their lips tantalizingly close. He whispered, "Do you hear me?" She met the depth of his gaze, opened her mouth, and then pursed her lips. There was no response. A spark ignited in Alexander's eyes. He gently cradled her neck, not with force, but with a charge of intimacy that was difficult to define. "Do you hear me?" His tone was soft, imbued with a familiarity that echoed her name, "Quinn." His voice, as tender as a whisper, transported her back to days long past. Through his gaze, she could almost envision the young man who once smiled at her under

lips to hers. Quinn's eyes widened, and their gazes locked. He looked at her as though anticipating something, as if he was waiting for a concession of defeat in a high-stakes game. Or perhaps he was a king, strategizing

in Quinn's eyes. It felt as though an eternity had passed in this drawn-out battle of wills. Finally, she closed her eyes in surrender. He kissed her boldly, and Quinn

aware of her monthly cycle, did not press her further. Compromise was not his style. Their agreed-upon fifteen days ended as abruptly as a farce. Nestled in his embrace, Quinn felt the warmth of his breath by her

against her belly. The heat from his palm seeped through her nightwear, causing her heart to flutter unexpectedly.

his breathing suggested he was asleep. Despite the tranquility, Quinn lay awake, sleep eluding her until the