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.

meals-what are you trying to say?"Quinn bit her lip, her gaze locked onto his,

you seeking freedom anywhere but here? Even in death?" His tone was

fingers intertwining with his. She gazed deeply into his eyes, searching

remained unchanged, his gaze as impassive as ever. Yet, Quinn felt a flutter of anxiety. She tried to express her feelings the

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

He had never been this composed before. Quinn lifted her hand to undo the

him, only to see anger flickering in his eyes. "Is this all you know?""Did you use

yet piercing her heart like fine

cheek pressed against the cool wall; she shook her head 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