Love Unspoken

Chapter 1203

After a short walk, the fire in her hand fizzled out, leaving just some glowing embers. It was still tough to see, but hey, better than pitch black.

She crouched down, using the faint light to scrounge up some dry branches. While gathering firewood, she accidentally brushed against a few bugs, which totally freaked her out. She patted her chest, taking deep breaths. Even though she was scared, she kept searching for firewood under the trees. There wasn't much else around, but there were plenty of dry branches. She quickly bundled them up and hurried back. Once inside the cave, she felt a bit more at ease.

She let out a long breath, dropped the firewood on the ground, and noticed a few centipedes and some other creepy crawlies in the pile. Gritting her teeth, she grabbed a stone and smashed the centipedes that crawled out, then tossed the other bugs straight into the fire. While burning them, she kept glancing over, worried her noise would wake Alexander.

But honestly, she wasn't being quiet, and Alexander didn't wake up.

Usually, he'd wake up at the slightest noise, but now he was out cold.

Quinn hesitated for a sec, then carefully walked over to him, squatting down and reaching out a finger to check his breath. He was still alive.

She let out a sigh of relief, but before she could pull her hand back, her wrist was suddenly grabbed.

Looking up, she saw Alexander still had his eyes closed, just holding her hand.

A force pulled her wrist, and she fell into his arms, where he held her tight.

"Cold, let me hold you for a while," he croaked.

Quinn stayed still, pressing against his chest and listening to his steady heartbeat.

The fire beside them crackled, and she could smell the bugs burning.

The fire was about to die out again, so Quinn had to break free and toss in more firewood.

She glanced back at Alexander, his brows furrowed, and his forehead still sweaty.

Quinn walked back, reached out to touch his forehead, and found it still burning hot.

But he said he was cold.

She gritted her teeth and took off her clothes to cover him. She still had a dress underneath, though it was pretty torn up.

Since there was no one else around, she took off one sleeve and tied the torn dress into a few knots, barely covering her chest.

The firewood she had collected burned out, and it started to get light outside, making it barely possible to see.

Quinn grabbed a dagger and headed out again.

Finding food was a no-go; she was on the hunt for herbs. Besides mugwort, she didn't recognize much else. She pulled up a lot of mugwort and found a cluster of perilla on her way back. Quinn was kinda excited; perilla seemed useful and maybe better than mugwort.

She dropped the mugwort and ran over, cutting a big bunch of perilla with her dagger. She even thought about taking the whole cluster back.

But as she pulled aside the vines, a black-and-white snake coiled in the grass, making her face go pale. She dropped the vines and stumbled back.

She tripped over something and fell to the ground.

She watched the snake slither out of the grass, her limbs weak. The perilla she had picked fell, and she didn't dare move, instinctively gripping the dagger.

Quinn was ready for a life-and-death showdown with the snake, but to her surprise, the snake ignored her and slithered away.

She let out a sigh of relief, trembling as she got up from the ground. She then picked up the fallen perilla and, not daring to take more, hurried back with what she had.

Chapter 1202

By the flickering firelight, Quinn finally noticed how pale Alexander looked-way paler than he had been earlier.

Alexander grabbed her hand and pulled it away from his forehead. "I'm good. Just gotta sweat it out."

His voice was weak, and even his coughs sounded feeble.

Quinn squatted down to check his wound.

In this weather, it probably wasn't a cold; more likely, his wound was infected and causing a fever. If that was the case, they were in deep trouble.

She untied the cloth strips on his body. The wound on his arm looked the same, but there was a swollen area on his back, the deepest part of the wound, showing signs of pus. "Your wound's infected," Quinn said, worried, glancing at him. "What do we do? Got any disinfectant in your pocket?"

Alexander shook his head, a bit amused. "Nope, you really think I carry everything in my pockets, huh?"

"So, what now?" Quinn asked.

"I won't die," he said, looking at her again. "Are you worried about me, or worried you won't get out?"

Quinn opened her mouth, ready to say the latter, but when she saw the serious look in his deep eyes, she held back.

Unlike his usual teasing, this time he was dead serious.

So she swallowed her words.

Alexander stared at her for a long time, and when he didn't get an answer, he looked away and tossed some firewood into the fire.

"Don't worry. I won't die that easily. Even if I do, I'll make sure you get out first," he said calmly.

Quinn's eyes flickered. She lowered her head and was silent for a moment before suddenly getting up and heading out.

Before she could leave, Alexander grabbed her wrist. "Where you going?"

"I'm going to get some water to boil. You got salt, right? We can use saltwater to clean your wound." She added, "I'll be right outside, not going far." It was late, and she didn't dare go far.

Alexander let go of her.

Quinn went outside, dug some soil near the spring, and made a makeshift pot. There were a few banana leaves in the cave, almost dry but still usable. After cleaning them, she lined the pot with the leaves, filled it with spring water, and brought it back to boil over the fire.

She tore a piece of the bedsheet, washed it in the water, and then poured the remaining half bottle of salt into the boiling water.

"You used it all up. What are we gonna eat?" Alexander asked.

"Who cares about eating when your life's on the line?" Quinn soaked the cloth in the water for two minutes, then took it out to clean his wound. He seemed really weak now, sitting quietly without his usual teasing.

Quinn cleaned his wound over and over until the water was completely cool, then she put down the cloth.

She asked Alexander, "Feeling any better?"

Alexander smirked. "It's not that quick."

Quinn pressed her lips together and draped the remaining piece of the bedsheet over him. "Then rest for a while. I'll tend the fire."

Alexander leaned against the cave wall, watching her with lowered eyes.

"And you say you don't care about me," he said.

Quinn threw more wood into the fire, not wanting to talk to him, silently tending the fire.

Soon, the firewood was almost gone. She glanced back at Alexander, who had closed his eyes, his forehead covered in sweat.

Was it because of the fever or the heat from the fire?

But sweating should make him feel better, right?

Quinn gritted her teeth, got up, and went outside. It was pitch dark, and she couldn't see anything. She started to get nervous as soon as she stepped out. But the fire was almost out. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, grabbed a match, and ran out of the cave.

Chapter 1201

The next morning, Quinn woke up with a start when a drop of dew splashed on her face. She shot up, touched her face, and sighed in relief when she realized it was just dew. This forest had her on edge, always feeling like bugs were crawling all over her.

She looked around and noticed Alexander was nowhere to be seen. She was lying on a pile of grass.

After a moment of confusion, she started looking for him.

A few minutes later, she spotted him coming from a distance, and she felt relieved again.

Alexander was lugging some banana leaves, fruits, and a rabbit.

He walked into the clearing, dropped his haul, and said, "You up?"

Quinn nodded and glanced at the stuff on the ground. "Aren't we leaving today?"

Alexander replied, "I just scouted the way and found the direction of the cave. Let's eat first before we head out."

Hearing he found the cave, Quinn felt a bit more at ease. Being in the cave was better than being out in the wild; at least it was safer there.

Alexander roasted the rabbit. A rabbit washed with water tasted way better than a bloody one. They had cooked a lot of wild veggies yesterday, but they weren't filling at all. He handed Quinn a rabbit leg, which was enough to fill her up.

After a quick cleanup, they packed the leftover meat and headed back.

As they trekked through the forest, they ran into a bunch of unfamiliar creatures, and even with Alexander by her side, Quinn was jumpy.

They had walked quite a distance without realizing it. When the forest darkened, Quinn finally saw the familiar cave, which felt like home. She finally relaxed.

She plopped down on the ground, exhausted. After two days away, the cave was still the same as before.

It was getting dark outside again. Alexander lit a fire inside the cave. Quinn looked at the sky outside, unsure of how long they had been stuck in this forest. She also wondered how Abigail was doing.

Then she couldn't help but ask Alexander, "Can we really get out of here?"

Alexander paused in adding firewood, turned to look at Quinn, and said, "After we get out, will you still talk to me?"

Quinn said helplessly, "Why are you asking this again?"

"Then let me ask another question. After we get out, can I see you again?" he asked.

Quinn fell silent.

made her seem ungrateful,

get out,"

was stunned. "What do you

his arms as if giving up. "Since you don't plan to see me after we get out, why should I risk my life to scout the way out?" He added, "You've seen how dangerous it is out

She had indeed seen how dangerous it was; his injuries were still not

her lip, thought for a moment, but still didn't

was also

a tiring day, she leaned against the wall, feeling

Quinn opened her eyes and saw Alexander sitting by the fire, adding

became alert and sat up straight. "What's wrong with

from a distance, Quinn could feel the heat. Yet he said he was cold, which was clearly not normal. She quickly got up, came to his side, and reached out to

you have a fever?"

Chapter 155

shameless. "What kind of fortune did our village

were no renovations or payouts! The people in our village work hard and earn their living honestly, unlike your family, who just got lucky and picked up a stray daughter. You contributed nothing yet still managed to extort a

was referring to how the family had picked up

family. Before that, they had already discussed how she must have been

Shawn's family were hardly positive. They openly scolded

nothing close to a huge sum. That's not even

extort even more if given the

didn't quite hear what he said. "What

"N-Nothing."

enough to reveal his plans. After all, he had already made a deal with Kayla. Once he got rid of Felicia, the wealth of the

envisioning a time when these villagers who looked down on him

Meanwhile, the others in the village were unwilling to deal with such a scoundrel.

he cast one last wary glance at Shawn. Feeling uneasy, he immediately called for his grandson and instructed, "Lucas, go find Felicia. Tell her Shawn is back in the village and making a scene. She should

"Got it!"

quickly abandoned his toy car and sprinted toward

been abandoned. Since Felicia had cut ties with them due to her

been living with

just pulled a few sweet potatoes from the still-warm hearth. These were left over from breakfast, and Macey had tossed them in, knowing Felicia

but once peeled, they released steam and smelled

he still felt hungry when

him. "Here, this is for you. Be careful, it's hot. I'll peel another one." "Thank you,

grandfather's instructions and reported, "Felicia, my grandpa sent me to

did

cheeks full, "Grandpa also said

help

thinking it through, he was being chased for debts and had already lost a couple of fingers. He was likely desperate, clinging to Kayla and trying everything to

why Shawn would return

Chapter 154

with the loud roar of a sports car. At first, the villagers were puzzled, thinking another outsider had arrived. However, when the car door swung open and a flamboyant figure stepped out, the onlookers exchanged glances and promptly turned to leave as if trying

multiple times, often leading to confrontations. Yet

time, his name became synonymous with disgrace. Naturally, the villagers preferred to keep

him now, they were quick to steer

high-profile manner, flaunting a rented sports car to show off his former wealth. He believed that his status had risen above that of the villagers, whom he looked down upon as mere ants. But the villagers didn't buy his act. They turned and walked away, leaving him with no

villager scoffed. "Make sure to take good care

flushed

car was indeed

he bought a sports car, but Lance seized it to cover his debts. So, he was left with no

en

would never admit to his disgrace. Instead, he sneered, "You group of frogs in a well, you dare to look down

and retorted, "What status? What's the status of a debtor with missing fingers?

was

with rage. "Did

one responded

His expression darkened further as he spat out, "That little brat thinks she's untouchable, but

Though he was typically kind-hearted, he wasted no time before slapping

malice. Just as he was about to

Charles West, the village chief, looked furious. His expression was a mix of anger and disappointment. "Get lost! You're

to explode,

I.ne

fields abundant with. crops and further ahead were fows of vegetable greenhouses that stretched

construction projects underway, depicting a scene of vibrant prosperity. Shawn stood there, dumbfounded. Was this still

Chapter 153

her palms as she suppressed the almost frenzied and twisted emotions threatening to erupt. She managed to hold back her anger, though just barely. "Arnie, my foot hurts. Can you carry me over there?" she asked,

here; it was impossible

her foot and found nothing wrong with it, yet Kayla insisted that she had injured it in the accident and couldn't walk. "Arnie, I really

night, her face was pale and pitiful. It made it hard for Arnold to

down, offering, "Get on my

her joy evident as she jumped onto

gazes, Arnold carried Kayla

in the training program couldn't help but make a few teasing remarks about their apparent intimacy. Kayla giggled, occasionally

Arnold originally intended to have the village head find another family for Kayla to stay with. However, with all the other families' houses already full and Kayla stubbornly refusing to be separated from him,

there was only one empty room

well," Arnold said after the college doctor checked Kayla's foot and confirmed it wasn't serious. Feeling

en

scared..." Arnold had been planning to find a separate place to stay. After all, it would be

wouldn't let it go, presenting a pitiful facade as her shoulders trembled and her eyes glistened

still insisted, "You get some rest. I'll be in the living room. If you need anything, just

burgeoning anger that threatened to explode! "Felicia!" she hissed through gritted

the thorn in her side, at

She called Shawn, her voice low as she snapped, "Why haven't you arrived

if he were driving. "It's all set!

this, Kayla felt a

Satisfaction. After all, the money she had invested was considerable. As long as Shawn's actions bore fruit, it would alDbe worth

Chapter 152

came to an end, and Felicia didn't bother to find out who would tow the Fuller family's car away after

after she had left that Kayla finally snapped back to reality from the shock of the night before. Clinging tightly to Arnold's waist, she looked up at him with teary eyes and said, "Arnie, I rushed over to

However, the words were caught in his throat, and he ultimately

scared Kayla terribly-just like when he first arrived at the scene panic-stricken. It was only after Felicia scolded him that he realized his concern was causing him

too late to say such

fearing that if she let go, he would disappear. Her pitiful appearance made

over to see the commotion

she? She must have rushed over in the middle of the night.

from college for a long time and wasn't on the list for this training program. She had only gotten wind of the situation because her good friend, Olivia, had informed her to come quickly to assert her claim and

felt some resentment toward

Felicia's life miserable was welcome in

into a car accident. Thankfully, you're okay. Otherwise, wouldn't

laced with sarcasm, and Arnold could clearly hear it. He shot her a

She began to pick up on

clear that something had happened over the past few days. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so distant and lost in thought in front of

Arnold's gaze and was taken aback to find that he

You even hung up on me yesterday. Do you know I almost died? I was

she spoke, Arnold seemed to tune

asked, "Arnie, who are you thinking about?

his voice filled with resistance as he replied, "Don't talk nonsense. How could be

was unmasked. While Kayla initially wanted to laugh, the smile slowly faded

a woman, even if he verbally claimed not to like her, often indicated that he had begun to

Chapter 151

she asked, "Ruben,

was one of the Fuller family's dedicated drivers. He was always on standby and had years of driving experience, so it

to Alverton. I wasn't familiar with the road

been upset, but she had also taken out her frustration on him by kicking his seat while he

her kicking him. Fatigued from driving all day, he lost focus for just a moment, causing the car to veer off the road and get stuck on the edge of the slope. From their perspective inside the vehicle, it felt like they were hanging over a precipice, so they didn't dare to move. Even when their phone fell at their feet, they hesitated to pick it up, fearing that bending down would make

more Ruben thought about it, the angrier he became. If it hadn't been for

the Fuller family and that she would

for his reason, he would have wanted to

on this, he tightened his grip on the memory

the dashcam. If Kayla pushed him too far, he had evidence

Felicia didn't pry further.

saved, the villagers felt relieved

who had been scolded by Arnold earlier, tried to leave but was

She walked

to Arnold and saw

up to

he was tightly

was crying.

they had just

separation. Unable to hold back, she spoke up, "Sorry to

his attention

tone was cold

at Felicia's sleeve. "Licia, let's just

she

Felicia stood her ground.

daughter around Felicia's age who was studying in another city. Any daughter would be upset if she found out her father had been treated this

like she was asking for a piece of Arnold's flesh. An apology was absolutely reasonable, wasn't

of

and his good upbringing compelled him to apologize to Cody, "I'm sorry, Mr. Gibbs. I was out of line earlier."

Felicia turned

and the others. She climbed back onto

Chapter 150

black luxury car that was hanging dangerously over the edge of

meant that the person trapped inside was none other than

Kayla's terrified voice from

also in

come to Alverton,