Quinn hesitated, her eyes darting away from Juliet''s prating gaze. She bit her lip nervously, her head shaking in a silent denial.Juliet, a woman who had weathered many storms in her life, was quick to sense the unease in Quinn. She reached out, her hand enveloping Quinn''s in aforting grip.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    "Quinn," she implored earnestly, "don''t deceive me. If you''re suffering because of me, I won''t find peace for as long as I live."Quinn''s eyes snapped to Juliet''s at her words, her hands moving in a swift, dismissive gesture. "I''m fine. Don''t worry about me," she assured hastily.Juliet studied her with an intense gaze, her weathered hand reaching out to gently caress Quinn''s cheek.


    "Quinn," she said, her voice trembling slightly with emotion, "I hope that I haven''t been a burden on you."The old woman''s words pierced Quinn''s heart, causing tears to well up in her eyes and spill down her cheeks.


    She clung to Juliet''s hand, the reality of her situation sinking in. In truth, it was Quinn who had be a burden to Juliet. If only Juliet had been a little more self-centered, she wouldn''t be living in such misery, nor would she have been so mistreated by her son and daughter-inw.Quinn shook her head slightly, pulling Juliet into a warm embrace.


    There was a unique warmth radiating from the older woman, a warmth Quinn had never experienced before. It was theforting warmth of home. Once, she had found sce in Alexander''s arms, but over time, his embrace had turned cold, tainted with the scent of others. It felt as if it no longer belonged to her.


    Quinn closed her eyes, savoring the fleeting warmth, aware that it might notst. Soon, she might not even remember Juliet. Soon, she would forget everyone-Abigail, Juliet-and in the end, even her own identity.Juliet gently stroked Quinn''s back, lulling her to sleep as she used to when Quinn was a child.


    Quinn must have been truly exhausted, for she drifted off to sleep before she even realized it.She woke up with a start at two in the morning. Seeing the time on her phone, Quinn''s heart pounded in her chest as she sat up abruptly. Juliet had given up her bed for her and was sitting beside it, watching over her with a kind gaze. Quinn''s sudden movement startled Juliet."What''s wrong, Quinn? Did you have a nightmare?" Juliet asked with concern etched on her face. Quinn shook her head hastily, the memory of Alexander''s prohibition against visiting Juliet alone flooding back.


    She wondered if he had discovered her disobedience.She threw back the covers and gestured toward Juliet, "ed to go back now.""But it''s sote, and it''s dangerous. Why don''t you wait until daylight?" Juliet suggested.Quinn shook her head resolutely.


    She was determined to leave to avoid furtherplications. "Don''t worry, Juliet, I''ll take a cab. It''ll be quick," she assured.


    Seeing Quinn''s determination, Juliet didn''t argue but reminded her to be careful.Quinn nodded, slipped on her shoes, and left the hospital. The IV had eased her abdominal pain, but a dull ache lingered. As she waited for a cab outside the hospital, her phone rang.


    An unfamiliar number shed on the screen.Quinn didn''t know who would call at such ate hour, but she answered anyway."Is this Quinn?" The voice was vaguely familiar, but she couldn''t ce it until the caller introduced himself, "It''s Galen." "Alexander might have had a bit too much to drink. Do you want toe and pick him up?" Galen added, "I''ll text you the address. Whether youe or not is up to you."After he hung up, the address was sent over. It was a hotel she had never been to. As luck would have it, her cab arrived just then, and she showed the address to the driver."Wow, a seven-star hotel, huh? You''re going there?" the driver asked with a hint of intrigue in his voice. Quinn hesitated for a moment, then nodded.