Love Unspoken

Chapter 1204

When Quinn got back, Alexander was already up, sitting by the fire and staring hard at the cave entrance. "Where'd you go?" he asked.

Quinn glanced at the perilla in her arms and plopped down in front of him. "Feelin' any better?"

"Still kickin'," he said, his eyes roaming over her bare shoulders, checking her out from top to bottom.

Quinn caught his look and grabbed a coat from him to cover up, blocking his view.

Alexander chuckled. "You think I can do anything to you in this state?"

Quinn paused for a sec, ignored his comment, and started crushing the perilla to slap it on his wound.

He was still a bit feverish, and after she applied the stuff, sweat beaded on his forehead.

Quinn said, "You need to rest up. We'll talk when you're better."

Alexander suddenly hugged her. "You goin' out to hunt to feed me?"

Quinn was a bit taken aback. She could barely hunt; she was more likely to end up as some wild animal's dinner. "I'll figure something out. Just let go of me first," she said.

"I'm cold," Alexander said, tightening his grip.

Quinn tried to take off the coat she was wearing, but he stopped her. "Don't take it off, or I'll get turned on."

"Things are so messed up right now, and you can still get turned on?" Quinn said, feeling a bit speechless.

"If you keep your clothes on, I won't get turned on," Alexander remarked.

In the end, Quinn didn't take it off. She was afraid that before Alexander did anything, she wouldn't be able to handle it herself, especially since the medicine's effects hadn't worn off yet. After a while, she pushed Alexander away, stood up, and said, "I'll go collect some firewood. Rest up."

She walked out of the cave and started gathering firewood nearby to avoid running out like the previous night. She piled several stacks at the cave entrance.

Meanwhile, Walter had been in the village for two whole days without making any moves.

Sean had gone out and returned to find him still sitting at the entrance, sipping tea like he had all the time in the world. Sean couldn't help but step forward and ask, "Didn't you say you were gonna find Alistair? Why are you still sittin' here?"

Walter glanced at him and smiled faintly. "What's the rush? Alexander ain't coming out anytime soon. Why are you all so antsy?"

Sean sneered. Of course, he was anxious. He wanted to find Alistair ASAP, partly to stop him from escaping and partly 'cause he feared Alexander might not wanna come out after staying in the forest too long. "It's none of your business. If you're not gonna find him, then don't stay here," Sean said irritably.

"In that case, I won't stay here," Walter said slowly.

Then he patted the wrinkles on his pants, stood up leisurely, walked past Sean, and got into his car without looking back.

Sean stared blankly at the car. Did he really leave?

The others exchanged puzzled looks, not quite getting what Walter was up to.

After a moment, Sean realized what was happening and quickly ran to his car. "Follow him."

The car drove on the bumpy road, followed by several other cars. Walter turned his head slightly and looked through the rearview mirror.

He chuckled.

Sean kept following him, from the dirt road to the paved road, and then along the paved road for a long time.

As they approached the bustling area, Sean got a message on his phone.

He opened it and saw it was from an unknown number: [You bringing so many people 'cause you're afraid Alistair won't notice you?]

Sean was stunned and instinctively looked at the car in front of him.

He had been bringing a lot of people these days, but they never managed to catch Alistair, partly because of this reason. However, if he didn't bring enough people, he was worried they wouldn't be able to handle Alistair and his crew.

So it was a bit of a dilemma. Bringing people could easily alert Alistair, but not bringing enough people could mean they couldn't win a fight.

He thought for a while and finally decided to send everyone back. But before he could give the order, another message from Walter arrived.

Walter: [Have them split up and act separately. Don't stay together.]

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.

wanting to talk to him, silently

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

because of the fever or

make

she couldn't see anything. She started to get nervous as soon as she stepped

Chapter 1201

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.

was nowhere to be seen. She was lying on a

confusion, she started looking

later, she spotted him coming

was lugging some banana leaves, fruits, and a

clearing, dropped his

the stuff on

found the direction of the cave. Let's

at ease. Being in the cave was better

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.

packed

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

had walked quite a distance without realizing it. When the forest darkened, Quinn finally

days

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.

ask Alexander, "Can we really

and said, "After we get out, will you

helplessly, "Why are you asking

ask another question. After we get out,

Quinn fell silent.

ungrateful, she couldn't bring herself to

get out,"

stunned. "What

his 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 life to scout the way out?" He added, "You've seen how dangerous it is out there. Why should I do something

fell silent again. She had indeed seen how dangerous it was; his injuries were still not

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

she was

leaned

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

and sat

bit cold," 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, which was clearly not normal. She quickly got up, came to his side, and

a fever?" she

Chapter 155

insistent piece of gum, utterly shameless. "What kind of fortune did our

as he snapped back, "There 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

referring to how the family had picked up

to her biological family. Before that, they had already discussed how she must

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

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

was clear-he would extort even

quite hear what he said. "What

"N-Nothing."

already made a deal with Kayla. Once he got rid of Felicia, the wealth of the Fuller family would naturally fall to her. Being her brother meant he'd have access

these villagers

with himself. Meanwhile, the others in the village were unwilling

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 be careful. That brat

"Got it!"

his toy car and sprinted

old, dilapidated house in Alverton that had long been abandoned. Since Felicia had cut ties with them due to her traumatic

been living

the still-warm hearth. These were left over from breakfast, and Macey had tossed them

darkened from the heat, but once peeled, they released steam and smelled wonderfully sweet. "Felicia!" Lucas blinked,

sweet potatoes, he still felt hungry

to him. "Here, this is for you. Be careful,

and reported, "Felicia, my grandpa sent me to tell you that Shawn is back and

did your

also said that

couldn't help

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

to wonder why Shawn would return

Chapter 154

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

in Alverton, Shawn had 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. 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

Naturally, the villagers preferred to keep

were quick to steer

returned to the village in a 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

sure to take

flushed with

car was

from the Fuller family, he bought a sports car, but Lance seized it to cover his debts. So, he was left with no choice but to rent

en

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

was actually Cody, shot him a cold glance and retorted, "What status? What's the

interest as Shawn's hand was wrapped in

twisted with rage.

responded

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

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

with malice. Just as he was about

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

was ready to explode, but

I.ne

noticed how much had changed in the village. Behind the village lay fields abundant with. crops and further ahead were fows of vegetable greenhouses that stretched out of

homes. There were even numerous construction projects underway, depicting a scene of vibrant prosperity. Shawn stood there, dumbfounded. Was this still the impoverished

Chapter 153

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

had broken down, and the driver needed to stay behind to arrange repairs. Moreover, 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 have to stay

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

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

bent down, offering, "Get on my back.

as she jumped onto his

gazes, Arnold carried Kayla back to

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 make a few teasing remarks about

stay with. However, with all the other families' houses already full and Kayla stubbornly refusing to be separated from him, he had no choice

was only one empty room in

the college doctor checked Kayla's foot and confirmed it

en

to leave me here alone? I'm not familiar with this place, and I'm scared..." Arnold had been planning to find a separate place to

facade as her shoulders trembled and her eyes

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 teeth, her sense of crisis and jealousy

Felicia, the thorn in her side, at all

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

were driving. "It's all set! I'll be at Alverton in no more

Kayla felt a

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

Chapter 152

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

to

as you think." However, the words were caught in his throat, and he ultimately swallowed them. Instead, he

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 to lose focus.

too late to say such

he would disappear. Her pitiful appearance made it

over to see the commotion and caught sight of Arnold and Kayla in an

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

her good friend, Olivia, had informed her to come quickly

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

life miserable

duck you had, getting into a car accident. Thankfully, you're

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

She began to pick up on

clear that something had happened over the past few days. Otherwise,

unease, she followed Arnold's gaze and was taken aback to find that he was consistently looking in

hung up on me yesterday. Do

she spoke, Arnold seemed to tune her out

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

casual question drew an unexpected reaction from Arnold. He immediately denied it, his voice filled with resistance as

While Kayla initially wanted to laugh, the smile

woman, even if he verbally claimed not

Chapter 151

"Ruben, what caused the accident?

standby and had years of

her to Alverton. I wasn't familiar with the road and mistakenly followed the wrong route according to

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

slope. From their perspective inside the vehicle, it felt like they were hanging over a precipice, so they didn't dare to move.

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

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

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

this, he tightened his grip on

If Kayla pushed him too far, he

Felicia didn't pry further.

felt relieved and

by Arnold earlier, tried to

She walked

to Arnold and saw

up to

he was tightly

crying. He comforted

had just endured

separation. Unable to hold back, she spoke

his attention

became even more impatient. Her tone was cold as she stated,

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

could she let it

Felicia stood her ground.

had a daughter around Felicia's age who was studying in another city. Any daughter would be upset if

for a piece of Arnold's flesh.

of the circumstances, these villagers