Love Unspoken

The audacious declarations, dreams, and aspirations Abigail once held for her future now mocked her like a cruel jest. She rapped gently on the door.

"Dad," she called out. Mr. Vanderbilt glanced up at her, unable to mask the fatigue etched into his features, tinged with a hint of disappointment.

"Shouldn't you be in your room? What do you need?" he asked."I'm willing to accept an arranged marriage," Abigail declared.Mr. Vanderbilt blinked, taken aback, staring at her as if he had misheard. "What did you say?" he questioned. She paused, her voice slightly hoarse, "An arranged marriage is the only solution to the Vanderbilt family's current predicament and the key to saving our stocks."He opened his mouth, his expression unreadable.

Once, he had pressured Abigail to marry, hoping to secure a stable, tranquil future for her. Yet, she had spoken to him of ideals, of life's purpose, of poetry, and of distant shores. Now, her offer to enter into an arranged marriage, though unexpected, was not what he desired.

He had never contemplated exchanging his daughter's happiness for financial gain."When will you stop this nonsense? Go back to your room!" he insisted. But Abigail remained steadfast. "I'm not being reckless.

the desk, stood up abruptly, and roared, "How many times must I tell you? Go back! I may have my

Abigail felt not the usual triumph but a dull, indescribable pain.It was only now that she understood she had misinterpreted her father's intentions. Her dreams of flight had been clipped by

ignored. With just one percent battery remaining, she stared at the phone lying on her bed.In the final moments before it powered down, a call from Quinn came through. A lingering silence filled the air as Abigail picked up the

shrouded in silence.Abigail, too, remained silent. The call ended in this quiet stillness.Staring at the ended call, Quinn's eyelashes fluttered. She opened WhatsApp, fearful of missing any message from Abigail.Outside, the rain whispered its secrets, and a chill permeated the room.Quinn wrapped

It wasn't the doorbell, but indeed, a knock. Rising to answer it, she saw the man outside and instinctively began to

his casual demeanor belying his quick reflexes. His hand caught the doorframe just as Quinn attempted to

its own right, yet part of a harmonious whole. Freya had once