Love Unspoken

With a swift, decisive motion, Quinn extended her hand to seize the notebook.

As if anticipating her move, he deftly flicked his wrist, tucking the notebook behind his shoulder, far from her reach.

Her hand lingered in the air, fingers curled in a silent plea, while she bit her lip. Her eyes, a striking contrast of black and white, were fixed on him with an intensity that was almost palpable."Who do you wish to share the sight of the flowers with?" he asked, his voice echoing in the silence."And who would you choose to accompany you in the hot air balloon?"Quinn's eyelashes fluttered in surprise, and she shook her head.

She hadn't considered the idea of company; her list was merely a safeguard against forgetfulness. She harbored a fear that in a moment of blank memory, she would lose sight of those simple wishes. What came naturally to others, she feared, would become regrets in her own vacant spaces.

Alexander's gaze upon her turned icy, a stark contrast to the warmth of their previous exchange.

He gently held her chin, his voice low and insistent, "Tell me, who do you wish to accompany?"His grip was not harsh-in fact, it was tender-but the intensity radiating from him made it difficult for Quinn to draw breath.

like an eternity, she managed to whisper, "No one."Her voice was faint, reminiscent of a kitten's mew, with a hint of nasality that pierced his

her chin, "It appears I've indeed made you feel insignificant.""I was unaware that your heart had wandered so far away."Quinn reached for his hand, but he abruptly stood up straight,

the hastily scribbled text, before glancing

notebook in half right before Quinn's eyes. Stunned, Quinn watched as he continued to rip the pages - first in

as if what he had just destroyed was of no consequence. The bits of paper drifted around Quinn, settling in

that, Alexander turned and ascended the stairs, his steps stirring the scattered scraps further.Quinn stood silently in the living room, her gaze blankly fixed on the debris

a moment to kneel down and begin gathering the shredded paper, like

coffee table, then those hidden beneath the sofa. From the second floor, Alexander watched her, hands in his pockets, his gaze focused

was gathering rare treasures. He couldn't have known that what he had so carelessly shredded were things Quinn had struggled to remember. Perhaps by tomorrow, she would no longer