Love Unspoken

"Playing the pity card won't work with me." Walter grabbed her ankle with a firm grip. With a gentle pull, Quinn was sent sprawling backward, her head colliding harshly with the floor. A surge of pain seared through her.

As she lay there, dazed and disoriented, he tore away a significant portion of her clothing. Too stunned to register the pain, Quinn scrambled to her feet, retreating to a corner in a desperate search for safety.

However, the harsh reality was that no such sanctuary existed, just as there was no truth to her denial of her feelings for Alexander. Walter merely observed her, his gaze amused yet devoid of a smile. He reached out to brush a strand of hair from her face, but Quinn deftly avoided his touch.

She drew her knees up to her chest, curling up tightly in the corner, her face buried in her knees. She wished fervently for a hole to appear, into which she could disappear.

"Look at you, covered in filth," he remarked. "I'm merely attempting to bathe you. What is it that you fear?"

His hand moved to stroke her damp hair, his fingers threading through and tightening their grip. He yanked her head back, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Are you trying my patience?" he inquired.

Quinn grimaced in pain, her face twisted in agony. With great effort, she gestured, "Release Abigail. Let her go, and I'll do whatever you say."

Walter responded with laughter, "Do you truly believe I would trust you?" His tone was indulgent, almost affectionate, if one could ignore the fact that he was still gripping her hair. "If I release her, will you truly obey?"

lips. Her plan had been exposed. If he were to release Abigail, she would certainly not obey;

hair. "I'll give you one last opportunity. Remove your clothing yourself. Otherwise, I'll

hard, gesturing once more, "Why? Why must you

adventure continues. Join us for the

is it that you want

replied softly. "I want

as though her head was about to burst. She couldn't discern what memory she was supposed to recall-all her memories were intact, but what was he referring to? How was

excuse to degrade me,'

tired of the conversation. He spoke again, "Remove your

Quinn hesitated.

The next

"But you claimed to have no interest in me. Leave, and I'll clean

smile spread across Walter's face. "Well, I may not be interested, but that doesn't mean I