Love Unspoken

Quinn hesitated, her eyes darting away from Juliet's penetrating gaze. She bit her lip nervously, her head shaking in a silent denial.Juliet, a woman who had weathered many storms in her life, was quick to sense the unease in Quinn. She reached out, her hand enveloping Quinn's in a comforting grip.

"Quinn," she implored earnestly, "don't deceive me. If you're suffering because of me, I won't find peace for as long as I live."Quinn's eyes snapped to Juliet's at her words, her hands moving in a swift, dismissive gesture. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me," she assured hastily.Juliet studied her with an intense gaze, her weathered hand reaching out to gently caress Quinn's cheek.

"Quinn," she said, her voice trembling slightly with emotion, "I hope that I haven't been a burden on you."The old woman's words pierced Quinn's heart, causing tears to well up in her eyes and spill down her cheeks.

She clung to Juliet's hand, the reality of her situation sinking in. In truth, it was Quinn who had become a burden to Juliet. If only Juliet had been a little more self-centered, she wouldn't be living in such misery, nor would she have been so mistreated by her son and daughter-in-law.Quinn shook her head slightly, pulling Juliet into a warm embrace.

she had found solace in Alexander's arms, but over time, his embrace had turned cold, tainted with the scent of others. It felt as if it

fleeting warmth, aware that it might not last. Soon, she might not even remember Juliet. Soon, she would forget everyone-Abigail, Juliet-and in the end, even her own identity.Juliet gently stroked Quinn's

must have been truly exhausted, for she drifted off to sleep before she even realized it.She woke up with a start at two in the morning. Seeing the time on her phone, Quinn's heart pounded in her chest as she sat up abruptly. Juliet had given up her bed for her and was sitting beside it, watching over her with a kind gaze. Quinn's sudden movement startled Juliet."What's wrong, Quinn? Did you have a nightmare?" Juliet asked with concern etched on her face. Quinn shook her head hastily, the memory of Alexander's

wondered if he had discovered her disobedience.She threw back the covers and gestured toward Juliet, "I need to go back now.""But it's so late,

"Don't worry, Juliet, I'll take

reminded her to be careful.Quinn nodded, slipped on her shoes, and left the hospital. The IV had eased her abdominal pain, but a dull