With a swift, decisive motion, Quinn extended her hand to seize the notebook.


    As if anticipating her move, he deftly flicked his wrist, tucking the notebook behind his shoulder, far from her reach.


    Her hand lingered in the air, fingers curled in a silent plea, while she bit her lip. Her eyes, a striking contrast of ck and white, were fixed on him with an intensity that was almost palpable."Who do you wish to share the sight of the flowers with?" he asked, his voice echoing in the silence."And who would you choose to apany you in the hot air balloon?"Quinn''s eyshes fluttered in surprise, and she shook her head.


    She hadn''t considered the idea ofpany; her list was merely a safeguard against forgetfulness. She harbored a fear that in a moment of nk memory, she would lose sight of those simple wishes. What came naturally to others, she feared, would be regrets in her own vacant spaces.


    Alexander''s gaze upon her turned icy, a stark contrast to the warmth of their previous exchange.


    He gently held her chin, his voice low and insistent, "Tell me, who do you wish to apany?"His grip was not harsh-in fact, it was tender-but the intensity radiating from him made it difficult for Quinn to draw breath.


    Her lips trembled, and after what seemed like an eternity, she managed to whisper, "No one."Her voice was faint, reminiscent of a kitten''s mew, with a hint of nasality that pierced his heart.


    Alexander chuckled, his fingers tracing her chin, "It appears I''ve indeed made you feel insignificant.""I was unaware that your heart had wandered so far away."Quinn reached for his hand, but he abruptly stood up straight, leaving her hand grasping at thin air.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Alexander flipped open his notebook once more, his eyes skimming over the hastily scribbled text, before ncing at Quinn.Upon catching his gaze, Quinn instinctively rose to her feet.


    With a swift, deliberate motion, Alexander tore the notebook in half right before Quinn''s eyes. Stunned, Quinn watched as he continued to rip the pages - first in half, then quarters - until they were mere fragments.


    With a flick of his wrist, the pieces fluttered through the air like snowkes, scattering in all directions. "It appears I''ll have to impose on you a bit longer," he said, his tone indifferent as if what he had just destroyed was of no consequence. The bits of paper drifted around Quinn, settling in her hair and on her shoulders, as if attempting to offer some form offort.


    With that, Alexander turned and ascended the stairs, his steps stirring the scattered scraps further.Quinn stood silently in the living room, her gaze nkly fixed on the debris scattered across the floor.


    It took her a moment to kneel down and begin gathering the shredded paper, like insignificant wishes torn apart.


    Shey on the floor, gathering the pieces from under the coffee table, then those hidden beneath the sofa. From the second floor, Alexander watched her, hands in his pockets, his gaze focused on the figure kneeling below.


    She collected those fragments with such meticulous care, as if she was gathering rare treasures. He couldn''t have known that what he had so carelessly shredded were things Quinn had struggled to remember. Perhaps by tomorrow, she would no longer recall them.


    With the torn pieces cradled in her arms, Quinn moved to the storage room, where she ced them inside a small box. She stood there for a long time, long enough to forget what she hade there for.


    When Quinn finally turned to leave the storage room, she found Alexander standing there, his presence unexpected. He was d in a silver-grey shirt with the top buttons undone, revealing the contours of his corbone and Adam''s apple.Quinn stared at him for a moment before remembering what she wanted to ask.


    Using hand gestures, she inquired: Did you leave thepany?She wanted to ask if he had been ousted from the board, but the question seemed too harsh. His eyes fixed on her and after a moment of silence, he spoke, "If I did, would you be ready to pursue your heart''s desires?"Taken aback, Quinn shook her head rapidly, gesturing: Did you really leave?"Yes."Suddenly, Quinn found herself at a loss for words. After a long silence, she gestured: I''m sorry.