For two full days, Quinn had been sequestered within the confines of the vi, with no sign of Alexander. The relentless rain had mirrored her istion, persisting unabated throughout the duration of her confinement. As the weekend twilight fell, Alexander returned to find Quinn still ensconced in her corner, her body curled into itself, immobile. His gaze flickered with an unreadable emotion as he crossed the room to gather her into his arms. "Quinn?" he queried, his voice barely above a whisper.


    Shey limp in his embrace, her breaths shallow and her eyelids fluttering but remaining closed. A sense of urgency seized him, prompting him to whip out his cell phone and dial Soren''s number.


    Despite the downpour, Soren arrived drenched, his trousers heavy with rainwater. His eyes widened in rm as he took in the sight of Quinn in Alexander''s arms.


    "Alexander, what happened to Quinn?" he asked, his voiceced with concern.


    "Check on her!" Alexandermanded, his tone brooking no argument.


    Startled by the urgency in Alexander''s voice, Soren hastily set down his bag and began to check Quinn''s pulse. His eyes fell on the bandages wrapped around her fingers, prompting him to ask, "What happened to her hand?" Alexander''s silence was deafening, his intense gazepelling Soren to lower his head and focus on his task. After a moment, Soren wiped the sweat from his brow and reported, "Alexander, Quinn has fainted from hunger. She needs liquid nourishment."


    His words were measured, chosen carefully to avoid inciting Alexander''s wrath. A vein pulsed ominously on Alexander''s forehead as he muttered, "Stupid woman!" He had been away for a mere two days, and she had chosen to abstain from food and drink.


    Turning his attention back to Soren, he asked, "Can you cook?"


    Caught off guard, Soren nodded hastily, "Yes... yes, shall I start now?"


    "Go now!" Alexandermanded.


    As Soren scurried off to the kitchen, Alexander carried Quinn upstairs. Soren returned with two bottles of glucose solution for an IV, and a pot of soup.


    "Sir, it''s all ready," Soren announced.


    Alexander took the bowl and Sebastian, blew on a Sebastianful to cool it, and attempted to feed Quinn. But the soup merely dribbled from the corner of her mouth, her body refusing to swallow. Soren watched from the sidelines, his breath held in check as he observed Quinn''s pallidplexion and the dry, cracked lips devoid of color.


    She was a shadow of her former self, her body worn thin by exhaustion. It had been just a fortnight since Soren hadst seen her, but the change was stark. A soft sigh escaped his lips.


    The sound caught Alexander''s attention, causing him to lose his grip on the Sebastian. It ttered into the bowl, startling Soren.


    "Alexander?" Soren ventured.


    "Why isn''t she drinking?" Alexander asked, wiping the dribble of soup from Quinn''s mouth with a napkin.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    "Maybe she hasn''te to her senses yet. Let''s wait until she wakes up to feed her. The glucose from the IV should replenish her fluids," Soren suggested.


    Alexander studied Quinn''s prone form for a moment longer before turning to hand the bowl back to Soren. As Soren epted the bowl and turned to leave, Alexander''s voice halted him, "Stop."


    "What''s wrong?" Soren asked, his heart pounding.


    Alexander''s gaze bore into him, causing a sheen of sweat to break out on Soren''s forehead. It seemed as though Alexander wanted to say something, but he merely shook his head and dismissed Soren with a curt, "Never mind. Get out." Relieved, Soren nodded and made his exit, bowing slightly as he left the room.


    Despite the glucose, Quinn remained unconscious. Meanwhile, Alexander received a phone call and stepped out of the room. As he passed Soren, he instructed, "Keep an eye on her."