Love Unspoken

Silence was the only response to Quinn's knock.

After a moment, the door creaked open to reveal Alexander, standing aloofly at the threshold, his gaze directed downward at her.

With a swift gesture of her hand, Quinn signaled that it was time to eat. Alexander's eyes followed the movement, darkening momentarily before he suddenly seized her wrist, pinning her against the wall. "Have you lost your voice?" he queried, his tone laced with a hint of irritation.

Quinn found herself caught in his intense gaze, mere inches separating them. She parted her lips, intending to respond, but words failed her. Her voice, slower than her signing, refused to cooperate, leaving her unable to articulate a coherent response.

Alexander watched her impassively, his fingers tracing a path along her cheek, slowly outlining her lips. "What's going on in that head of yours?" he asked, his voice betraying a hint of frustration.

her lip, her gaze locked onto his, her mind scrambling for an explanation. "Is my presence so unbearable to you?" Alexander's voice was

in response. "Are you seeking freedom anywhere but here? Even in death?" His tone was steady, tinged with a vague sense of wistfulness and

up, her fingers intertwining with his. She gazed deeply

anxiety. She tried to express her feelings the only

remained still, tolerating her awkward kiss without response. His silence filled Quinn with a sour ache, a

with anger or fury-and it always worked. He had never been this composed before. Quinn lifted her hand to undo the buttons on his shirt.

see anger flickering in his eyes. "Is this all you

breath was hot on Quinn's ear, his voice a whisper, yet piercing her heart like

with all her might. Stammering fragmented words, she managed, "Didn't...didn't...""Didn't what?""Have..." Her face reddened with effort, but complete sentences eluded her. "Have or haven't?""Not..." she attempted. "Not? Not compliant enough with