Love Unspoken

A shiver coursed through Getty's frame, a potent cocktail of embarrassment, shame, hurt, and rage overwhelming her.

Her countenance was a mirror to her tumultuous emotions. After a moment's pause, she swiveled to face Alexander, her heart plummeting at the sight of his indifferent gaze.

She surmised he was in a particularly foul mood that day. Having spent a considerable amount of time in Alexander's company, Getty had honed her ability to discern his moods. 'Could a fit of anger leading to self-harm drive him away?' she pondered, a wave of anxiety washing over her.

Hesitating for a moment, she tossed the knife onto the table and flung herself into Alexander's arms. "Your absence on my birthday and sending Kyle in your stead really hurt me. Can't you know how sad that makes me feel?" Getty's voice trembled with genuine distress. She was certain of one thing. 'Only that damn dummy could have caused him to neglect me.'Knowing when to back down, Getty softened her stance, and Alexander's gloomy demeanor lightened marginally. Encircling her waist with his arms, he vowed, "I'll make it up to you."Looking up at his striking visage, Getty pouted her lips and asked, "Really?""Mm.""You can't stand me up again.""I won't," Alexander assured her, his gaze drifting to her ankle. "Has it healed?""It's better, just a bit painful to walk," Getty responded, her arms snaking around his neck.

She playfully added, "Would you carry me there?"Without a word of protest, Alexander scooped her up and made his way to the living room. With her arms securely around his neck, Getty murmured, "I haven't had dinner yet. Would you join me?"

at her, offering a noncommittal "hmm."The housekeeper promptly cleared the remnants of dinner from the table, prepared a fresh meal, and replaced the spent candles with new ones. The weather had taken

consciousness ebbing and flowing, lost to the world around her.In

subsided on its own.Alexander had likely intended to keep his promise to Getty. He wouldn't see Quinn for a month. Consequently, after he left that night, she hadn't seen him return.Quinn mustered the strength to rise from her bed, took a shower,

money she owed Quinn without a word.

Juliet.Owing to the rain, Juliet wasn't out scavenging. She remained in her humble shack, and Quinn could hear a bout

Quinn rapped on the shack's door. Juliet pushed the damp curtain aside, and her eyes, clouded with age, lit up at the sight of Quinn."Quinn, what brings you here?" she

shack. She placed her items at the foot of the bed and took a seat next to Juliet."You look