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.

seem ungrateful, she

get out,"

"What do you

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

silent again. She had indeed seen how dangerous it was; his injuries

a moment, but still didn't know what to

was

a tiring day, she leaned against

suddenly awakened by a bout of coughing. Quinn opened her eyes and saw Alexander sitting by the fire, adding wood

suddenly became alert and sat

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, which was clearly not normal. She quickly

have a fever?" she asked, all

Chapter 155

utterly shameless. "What kind of fortune did our village strike? Is there a demolition? A payout? Why wasn't

hard and earn their living honestly, unlike your family, who just got lucky and

the family had picked

about Felicia's background after she returned to her biological family. Before that, they

their feelings towards Shawn's family were hardly positive. They openly scolded them for

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

was clear-he would extort even more if given

he

"N-Nothing."

Once he got rid of Felicia, the wealth of the Fuller family

chuckled to himself, envisioning a time when these villagers

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

find Felicia. Tell her Shawn is back in the village and making a

"Got it!"

quickly abandoned his

Fuller family had an old, dilapidated house in Alverton that had long been

been

the still-warm hearth. These were left

the sweet potatoes was darkened from the heat, but once peeled, they released steam

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

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

down. After taking a few bites, he remembered his grandfather's instructions and reported, "Felicia, my grandpa sent me to tell you that Shawn is back and making a fuss. He said to

did your grandpa

"Grandpa also said that brat hasn't figured out what to

couldn't help

chased for debts and had already lost a couple

why Shawn would return

Chapter 154

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

petty theft and mischief. He was caught harassing young ladies and married women by the river multiple times, often leading to confrontations. Yet Howell and Tabitha, his parents, were utterly shameless. They not only failed to get any justice but were also experts at turning the tables and blaming

his name became synonymous with disgrace. Naturally, the villagers preferred to keep their distance whenever he

they were quick

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 one

say a word, the villager scoffed. "Make sure to take good care of that rented car.

face flushed with

car was indeed

of 50 million dollars from the Fuller family, he bought a sports car, but Lance seized it

en

a well, you dare to look down on me? Do you

actually Cody, shot him a cold glance and retorted, "What status? What's the status of a debtor with missing

Shawn's hand was wrapped in thick bandages. Two of his

twisted with rage. "Did

responded to

mind, that was the only possibility. His expression darkened further as he spat out, "That little brat thinks she's untouchable, but I'll deal with her sooner or

he was typically kind-hearted, he wasted no time before slapping Shawn across the face. "You bastard!

his eyes glinting with malice. Just as he

expression was a mix of anger and disappointment.

to explode, but

I.ne

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

were even numerous construction projects underway, depicting a scene

Chapter 153

turned red, and she dug her nails deep into 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,

long way to get here; it

did not refuse. He examined her foot and found nothing wrong with it, yet Kayla insisted that she had injured it in the accident and couldn't walk. "Arnie,

face was pale and pitiful. It made it hard

on my

jumped onto his back. She wrapped

carried Kayla

was no big deal for the villagers since they didn't know them, but the students participating in the training program couldn't help but

returning to the village, 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

there was only one empty room in

Kayla's foot and confirmed it wasn't serious. Feeling relieved, he placed her on the bed and

en

familiar with this place, and I'm scared..." Arnold had been planning to find a separate place to stay. After all, it would be scandalous for them

as her shoulders trembled and her eyes glistened with unshed

Arnold's heart soften, but he still insisted, "You get some rest. I'll be in

way to a burgeoning anger that threatened to explode! "Felicia!" she hissed through gritted teeth, her sense of crisis and jealousy amplifying

the thorn in her side, at all

"Why haven't you arrived yet? It's been two days! Have you gotten everything prepared? Don't you want the rest of the

were driving. "It's all set! I'll be at Alverton in

Kayla felt a

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

Chapter 152

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

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

opened his mouth, intending to say, "This slope isn't high; it's not as dangerous as you think." However, the words were

scolded him that he realized his concern was causing him to lose focus. The terrain looked frightening,

too late

she let go, he would disappear. Her pitiful appearance

incident rushed over to see the commotion and caught sight of Arnold and

pretty quickly, didn't she? She must have rushed over in the middle

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 ensure that

Olivia couldn't help but smirk. Although she felt some resentment

could make Felicia's life miserable was welcome

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

He shot her a glance, but Olivia merely scoffed and turned

finally regained her senses after initially feeling scared. She began to pick up on the

something had happened over the past few days. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so distant

and was taken

hung up on

she spoke, Arnold seemed to tune her out

managed a pained smile and asked, "Arnie, who are you thinking about? Is

an unexpected reaction from Arnold. He immediately denied it, his voice

unmasked. While Kayla initially wanted to laugh,

man's excessive attention toward a woman, even if he verbally claimed not to

Chapter 151

she asked, "Ruben, what caused the

family's dedicated drivers. He was always on standby and had years

Ms. Kayla urged me to drive her to Alverton. I wasn't familiar with the road and mistakenly followed the wrong route according to the navigation. Ms. Kayla got angry, and then..."

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

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

thought about it, the angrier he became. If it hadn't been for Kayla distracting him,

trapped inside the car, Kayla said many hurtful things. She declared that he wasn't fit to be a driver for the Fuller

been for his reason, he would

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

dashcam. If Kayla pushed

Felicia didn't pry further.

Kayla saved, the villagers felt relieved

Arnold earlier, tried to

She walked

to Arnold and saw

up to

was

crying. He

had just

Unable to hold back, she spoke up,

his

even more impatient. Her tone was cold as she stated, "You should apologize to

and gently tugged at Felicia's sleeve.

she let it

Felicia stood her ground.

city. Any daughter

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

regained his composure. Regardless of the circumstances, these

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

Felicia

back onto the little truck as it started moving

Chapter 150

that was hanging dangerously

person trapped inside was none other than

Kayla's terrified voice from inside

in

come to Alverton, and he felt