Quinn was lost in her thoughts, a mncholy whisper in her mind, ''It''s all meaningless now.'' Her fingers hung stiffly in the air, a sad tableau that mirrored the sorrow in her eyes as she looked at Alexander.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    His gaze was downcast, his attention focused on her motionless fingers before shifting back to her face. With a gentle touch, he lifted his slender finger to her cheek, asking with an air of nonchnce, "Do you prefer a boy or a girl?" His question prompted a reaction from Quinn. Augh bubbled up through her tears, a strange mix of emotions that made it impossible to tell whether she wasughing more than she was crying. Alexander''s gaze was intense, a silent demand for her response.Forcing a smile onto her face, Quinn raised her hand and slowly signed the words, "I like girls."


    His fingers traced a gentle path across her cheek, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. He whispered in response, "I like girls too. They are obedient. We''ll have a daughter." His words sent a cascade of tears down her cheeks, like pearls scattering from a broken ne.


    ''Had he uttered those words a month earlier, how wonderful that would have been,'' she thought. ''I could''ve shared my joy with everyone openly, proudly announcing my pregnancy. I wouldn''t have to hide my happiness. I could go into stores to buy cute baby clothes, looking forward to my baby''s arrival like any mother. And none of what followed would have happened.''


    Quinn managed to smile and nod, though it was a hollow gesture. Alexander couldn''t wipe away her tears fast enough and said hoarsely, "Don''t smile like that." Her smile faded, reced by a more genuine expression that was somehow more disconcerting than her forced cheerfulness.


    Alexander sighed silently, his brows knitting with impatience. Abruptly, he stood up, wordlessly ascending the stairs. Quinn remained seated on the cold carpet, closing her eyes for a moment, summoning all her strength to push the recent events out of her mind. ''Many worries simply vanish if you don''t think about them,'' she thought.


    When she opened her eyes, she pulled out a bottle of pills from the drawer and went to the kitchen. She poured a ss of water and stared at the medicine in her hand. Alexander''s words had sent her mind drifting again. For a brief moment, life seemed utterly devoid of interest. The kitchen knives gleamed invitingly, almost beckoning her to take one and end it all. The pills grew heavier in her hand as she fixated on the knife.


    When she came to her senses, she was already standing in front of a chef''s knife. "What do you feel like for dinner?" Alexander''s voice suddenly filled the doorway. Quinn''s hand paused. The crazy impulse dissipated silently with his voice. ''It takes courage to live and courage to die.''


    She set down the ss and turned to Alexander, who spoke to her as he always did. He didn''t have to do anything. His mere presence tugged at Quinn''s emotions and swayed her thoughts. Quinn gestured with her hand, "Soup." "I''ll have someone bring it over," Alexander said, his gaze briefly falling on the water ss by her side before he turned to leave. Quinn exhaled, ncing once more at the knives on the rack. She picked up the ss, tossed the pills into her mouth, and swallowed them whole.


    Soon, the food that Alexander had ordered arrived. It was delivered by Kyle. After setting the table, Kyle sensed the heavy, weird vibe between Alexander and Quinn and, not daring to linger, made a quick exit. Quinn stood up out of habit to serve the soup.


    Suddenly, he said, "At thepany, you only need to listen to me or Kyle. Nobody else."