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.

the comforting warmth of home. Once, she had found solace in Alexander's arms, but over time, his embrace had turned cold, tainted with the scent of others. It felt

savoring the 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

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

need to go back now.""But it's so late, and it's dangerous. Why don't you wait until daylight?" Juliet suggested.Quinn shook

to leave to avoid further complications. "Don't worry, Juliet, I'll take a cab. It'll be quick,"

her to be careful.Quinn nodded, slipped on her shoes, and left the hospital. The IV had eased her abdominal pain, but a dull ache lingered. As she waited for a cab outside