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.

it made her seem ungrateful, she couldn't bring herself to

we won't get out," Alexander

was stunned. "What do

as if giving up. "Since you don't plan to see me after we get out, why should I risk my

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

a moment, but still

was also very

tiring day, she leaned

bout of coughing. Quinn opened her eyes and saw Alexander sitting by the

alert and sat up straight. "What's wrong

he said casually, adding a lot of branches to the fire. The blazing fire lit up the cave, and even from a distance, Quinn could feel the heat. Yet he said he was cold,

you have a fever?" she asked,

Chapter 155

gum, utterly shameless. "What kind of

work hard and earn their living honestly, unlike your family, who just got lucky and picked up a

was referring to how the family had picked

family. Before that, they had already discussed how

towards Shawn's family were hardly positive. They

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

clear-he would extort

he said. "What did

"N-Nothing."

he got rid of Felicia, the

when these villagers who

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

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

"Got it!"

quickly abandoned his toy car and sprinted toward

family had an old, dilapidated house in Alverton that had long been abandoned. Since

been

from the still-warm hearth. These were left over from

darkened from the heat, but once peeled,

still felt hungry when he saw them in the hands of someone

laugh as she handed one to him. "Here, this is for

his grandfather's instructions and reported, "Felicia, my grandpa

did your

full, "Grandpa also said that brat hasn't

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 extort

to wonder why Shawn would

Chapter 154

puzzled, thinking another outsider had arrived. However, when the car door swung open and a flamboyant figure stepped out, the onlookers exchanged

a notorious reputation for petty theft and mischief. He was caught harassing young ladies and married women by the river multiple times, often leading to confrontations.

synonymous with disgrace. Naturally, the villagers preferred to keep their

now, they were quick to

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.

sure to take good care of that rented car. Otherwise, you might

face flushed with

the car

he bought a sports car, but Lance seized it

en

to his disgrace. Instead, he sneered, "You group of frogs in a well, you dare to look down on me? Do you

had grabbed, who was actually Cody, shot him a cold glance and retorted, "What status? What's the status of a debtor with missing fingers? That

keen interest as Shawn's hand was wrapped in thick bandages. Two of his fingers

by this remark, Shawn's face twisted with rage. "Did Felicia tell you about

responded

His expression darkened further as he spat out, "That little brat thinks she's untouchable, but I'll deal with her

to him, overheard that. Though he was typically kind-hearted, he wasted no time before slapping Shawn across the face. "You bastard! Just start behaving like a decent person already,

with malice. Just as he was

expression was a mix of

was ready to explode, but

I.ne

lay fields abundant with.

were even numerous construction projects underway, depicting a scene of vibrant prosperity. Shawn

Chapter 153

and she dug her nails deep into her palms as she suppressed the almost frenzied and twisted emotions threatening to erupt. She

Kayla had traveled such a long way to get here; it was impossible for her to be sent away now. For this reason, Kayla would

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

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

on my back.

Kayla beamed, her joy evident as she jumped

carried

they didn't know them, but the students participating in the training program couldn't help

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,

one

you rest well," Arnold said after the college doctor checked Kayla's foot and confirmed it wasn't serious. Feeling relieved, he placed her on the bed and turned

en

place, and I'm scared..." Arnold had been planning to find a separate place

a pitiful facade as her shoulders trembled

some rest. I'll be in the living room. If you need anything, just call me." With

fell from Kayla's eyes, giving way to a burgeoning anger that threatened to

the thorn in her side, at

furrowed in fierce determination. She called Shawn, her voice low as she snapped, "Why haven't you arrived yet? It's been two days! Have you gotten

he were driving. "It's all set!

this, Kayla felt

the money she had invested was considerable. As long as Shawn's actions

Chapter 152

and Felicia didn't bother to find out who would tow the

the night before. Clinging tightly to Arnold's waist, she looked up at him with teary eyes and said, "Arnie, I

However, the words were caught in his throat, and

after Felicia scolded him that he realized his concern was causing

was too late to

tightly to Arnold, fearing that if she let go, he would disappear.

of students who had heard about the incident rushed over to see the commotion and

"Kayla arrived pretty quickly, didn't she? She must have rushed over in the middle of the night. Talk about

only gotten wind of the situation because her good friend, Olivia, had informed her to come quickly to assert her claim and ensure that the man she was infatuated with, Arnold, wouldn't be

some resentment toward Kayla after yesterday's events, her hatred for Felicia was

who could make Felicia's life miserable was welcome in her

getting into a car accident. Thankfully, you're okay.

words were laced with sarcasm, and Arnold could clearly hear it. He shot her a glance, but Olivia merely scoffed

to

knew Arnold better than she did, and it was clear that something had happened over the past few days. Otherwise, he wouldn't

Arnold's gaze and was taken aback

days. You even hung up on me yesterday. Do you know I almost died? I was wondering if I'd ever

she spoke, Arnold seemed to tune her

and asked, "Arnie, who are you thinking about? Is it

Arnold. He immediately denied it, his voice filled with resistance as he replied, "Don't talk nonsense. How could be thinking

initially wanted to laugh, the smile slowly faded from her

excessive attention toward a woman, even if he verbally claimed not to like her, often indicated

Chapter 151

asked, "Ruben, what caused the accident?

family's dedicated drivers. He was always on standby and had years of driving experience, so it was unusual for such an accident

familiar with the road and mistakenly followed the wrong route

had also taken out her frustration on him by kicking his seat while he

winding mountain roads were already challenging, and his attention had been distracted by 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 the car sway dangerously.

became. If it hadn't been for Kayla distracting him, the accident wouldn't have happened

hurtful things. She declared that he wasn't fit to be a driver for the Fuller family and that she would make sure he was fired as soon as they got out, putting an end

it hadn't been for his reason, he would have wanted

he reflected on this, he tightened his grip on the memory card

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

Felicia didn't pry further.

the villagers felt relieved and

scolded by Arnold earlier, tried to leave but

She walked

to Arnold and saw

up to

he was tightly embracing

crying. He

had just endured

back, she spoke up,

turned his attention to Felicia. "What

tone was cold as she stated, "You should apologize to Mr.

bit awkward and gently tugged at Felicia's sleeve. "Licia, let's just

could she let it

Felicia stood her ground.

age who was studying in another city. Any daughter would be upset if she found out her

was just an apology; it wasn't like she was asking for a piece of Arnold's flesh. An

Arnold had regained his composure. Regardless of the

to apologize to Cody, "I'm sorry, Mr.

satisfied, Felicia

onto the little truck as it started

Chapter 150

rushed closer, she quickly recognized the familiar license plate of the black luxury car that was hanging dangerously over

person trapped inside was

crossed her mind, she heard Kayla's terrified voice

also in a state of

come to Alverton, and he felt an overwhelming sense of