A shiver coursed through Getty''s frame, a potent cocktail of embarrassment, shame, hurt, and rage overwhelming her.


    Her countenance was a mirror to her tumultuous emotions. After a moment''s pause, she swiveled to face Alexander, her heart plummeting at the sight of his indifferent gaze.


    She surmised he was in a particrly foul mood that day. Having spent a considerable amount of time in Alexander''spany, Getty had honed her ability to discern his moods. ''Could a fit of anger leading to self-harm drive him away?'' she pondered, a wave of anxiety washing over her.


    Hesitating for a moment, she tossed the knife onto the table and flung herself into Alexander''s arms. "Your absence on my birthday and sending Kyle in your stead really hurt me. Can''t you know how sad that makes me feel?" Getty''s voice trembled with genuine distress. She was certain of one thing. ''Only that damn dummy could have caused him to neglect me.''Knowing when to back down, Getty softened her stance, and Alexander''s gloomy demeanor lightened marginally. Encircling her waist with his arms, he vowed, "I''ll make it up to you."Looking up at his striking visage, Getty pouted her lips and asked, "Really?""Mm.""You can''t stand me up again.""I won''t," Alexander assured her, his gaze drifting to her ankle. "Has it healed?""It''s better, just a bit painful to walk," Getty responded, her arms snaking around his neck.


    She yfully added, "Would you carry me there?"Without a word of protest, Alexander scooped her up and made his way to the living room. With her arms securely around his neck, Getty murmured, "I haven''t had dinner yet. Would you join me?"


    Alexander cast a nce at her, offering a nomittal "hmm."The housekeeper promptly cleared the remnants of dinner from the table, prepared a fresh meal, and reced the spent candles with new ones. The weather had taken a turn for the worse, with a persistent drizzle nketing the city for several days.


    Quinn, drenched from the rain, had sumbed to a high fever. Shey curled up on her bed, her consciousness ebbing and flowing, lost to the world around her.In the fog of her dreams, she felt abandoned. The only silver lining was that confusion was a more ptable alternative to rity.


    In a peculiar way, Quinn considered herself fortunate. No medicines, no injections. Just three days in bed, and her fever had subsided on its own.Alexander had likely intended to keep his promise to Getty. He wouldn''t see Quinn for a month. Consequently, after he left that night, she hadn''t seen him return.Quinn mustered the strength to rise from her bed, took a shower, changed into fresh clothes, and, armed with an umbre, she ventured out of the vi.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Abigail had returned the money she owed Quinn without a word. With the funds, Quinn purchased several items, including a cell phone.


    She gathered her purchases and set out to find Juliet.Owing to the rain, Juliet wasn''t out scavenging. She remained in her humble shack, and Quinn could hear a bout of coughing even before she was within sight.


    Quickening her pace, Quinn rapped on the shack''s door. Juliet pushed the damp curtain aside, and her eyes, clouded with age, lit up at the sight of Quinn."Quinn, what brings you here?" she inquired, hastily rising from her bed to receive the items.


    Surveying the room, Quinn noticed there was scant space to ce the items except inside the shack. She ced her items at the foot of the bed and took a seat next to Juliet."You look rather pale. Are you sick?" Juliet asked, concern etching her features.


    Quinn shook her head, a faint smile gracing her lips. She extracted the basic phone she had purchased and handed it to Juliet.Quinn signed, "My number''s saved in there. Call me if you need anything.""This is too much. It''s too valuable. Besides, an olddy like me doesn''t need a cell phone."Quinn gestured, "It''s used, not worth much. Keep it. It''ll make staying in touch easier."