Quinn''s breath hitched in her throat as she tiptoed towards the desk, her eyes locked on the charger. She carefully picked it up, her fingers trembling slightly. She plugged the cord into her phone, hoping that she only needed a couple of minutes for it to power up. Just enough time to turn it on and make a quick call.


    However, fate seemed to be ying a cruel joke on her. Barely a minute into charging, the sound of running water from the bathroom abruptly stopped. Her heart pounded in her chest as she quickly unplugged the charger and dashed out of the bedroom.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    "Freeze!" A voicemanded, causing Quinn''s heart to skip a beat. She halted at the doorway, biting her lip and gripping the charger tightly in her hand, too afraid to look back.


    Footsteps echoed behind her, growing louder as they approached. A chuckle,den with implications, followed the footsteps, causing an embarrassed blush to creep up Quinn''s cheeks.


    "Turn around," the voice ordered. Quinn tightened her grip on the charger, gathering her courage before slowly turning around. Her breath hitched at the sight of his bare chest, and the towel slung low around his waist. Droplets of water traced the lines of his well-defined abs, slowly descending towards the towel.


    "I thought you left for good. What brings you back?" he asked, his voice filled with amusement. Quinn lifted her gaze, showing him the charger in her hand.


    Alexander''s smile faded slightly. To be exact, he just raised the corner of his mouth, but he wasn''t smiling. His tone was cold as he said, "You''re so full of pride. I bought you that phone. Who said you could take it?"


    Quinn''s eyes dropped, her grip on the charger tightening. She needed to borrow money. Without a phone or money, how could she secure a future for her child? Alexander''s words cut off all her means of retreat. She began to doubt if she could really survive outside of this ce.


    The events ofst night were still vivid in her mind. Just thinking about it sent shivers down her spine. The gesture was clear as he extended his long, elegant hand before her. However, Quinn pulled her hands behind her back in a futile attempt to conceal her phone and charger.


    Her actions only amused Alexander, who chuckled, "Hand them over."


    With eyes closed and a resigned sigh, Quinn slowly reached out, cing the items in his waiting palm. The phone twirled between his fingers as he toyed with it. He then nced at Quinn, "You can go now."


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    Head bowed, Quinn turned and left the room. Alexander''s gaze lingered on her retreating, slender figure. His expression quickly turned icy.


    Stepping out of the vi, Quinn felt a surge of sorrow. She could no longer hold back her tears. Cradling her abdomen, she sank down on the steps beside the vi. She had failed to protect her unborn child. She didn''t deserve this. She was struggling to survive herself. How could she be worthy of a child? Perhaps the baby didn''t want a mother like her.


    She buried her face in her knees, sobbing silently. Yet the basic release of her agony stifled within. She sat alone as the feeble sunlight draped over her, highlighting just how small and solitary she seemed. Quinn had walked all day and eaten little the day before. Exhaustion and drowsiness overwhelmed her, and at some point, she drifted off, unaware of her slipping into unconsciousness.


    She dreamed a long dream filled with fragments of her life with Alexander. The young man in her dreams was cool andposed. He was tall and lean, dressed in a crisp white shirt. He waited for her by the school gates, his head tilted, his eyes and brows brimming with smiles.


    Even then, he captivated countless girls'' gazes. But back then, he only had eyes for her. He was her hero who always extended his hand when she faced hardship. She felt almost sacrilegious to look at his towering and dignified silhouette. In her naive youth, she didn''t understand love. All she knew was that wherever she looked, she saw his shadow. Her heart harbored every memory of their times together.


    But every time he said, "I''m her brother," it shattered all her delusions. She felt her thoughts were dirty, that her foolish longings tainted both him and the bond they shared. Like a mouse hiding in the shadows, her love was a secret that couldn''t be discovered.


    Quinn''s eyes fluttered open, assaulted by a harsh light that took a moment to adjust to.