A sudden confusion clouded Kyle''s mind, prompting him to blurt out, "What''s going on?" The moment the words escaped his lips, he regretted his impulsiveness, feeling it painted him as inept. Alexander turned to him, his gaze steady. "Kyle, after all these years by my side, what have you learned?" he asked, his toneced with disappointment.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    "I''m sorry, Alexander. I was just too slow to catch on," Kyle responded, his voice heavy with regret.


    Alexander merely waved his hand dismissively. "Never mind," he said, his voice as cool as the night air. He fell silent, pocketing his phone and leaning against the railing, lost in thought as he puffed on his cigarette.


    From downstairs, Quinn looked up and saw Alexander standing there, the smoke from his cigarette curling up into the night. His posture suggested a man wrestling with his thoughts.


    Her phone buzzed, pulling her attention away from Alexander. Picking it up, she read the message that had appeared on the screen. It was from an unknown number: [Juliet is dead.] The words hit her like a punch to the gut, freezing her in ce.


    Panic washed over her, consuming her entirely. Her blood seemed to rush to a single point, leaving her limbs numb and alien to her. Quinn stared at the message, her mind a nk canvas. Subconsciously, she dismissed it as a scam, a cruel trick yed by someone. It had to be Walter. He loved to deceive her.


    Yet, despite her denial, tears welled up in her eyes and streamed down her face. She turned her gaze back to Alexander, her vision blurred by her tears. Their eyes met, and in that moment, a myriad of emotions hung heavy in the air. Her phone slipped from her grasp, ttering to the ground. Time seemed to slow as Quinn rose from the couch, each step towards Alexander feeling like a Herculean task.


    She looked up at him, meeting his indifferent gaze. It was as if he had detached himself from the world. A heavy feeling settled in her heart. She raised her hand, intending to speak, but words failed her. Fear of his response held her tongue. Her hand hung in the air, and for a moment, silence reigned.


    It took her a while to muster the courage to gesture towards the hospital. Alexander''s face remained impassive, as if he hadn''t understood her silent plea.


    Quinn gestured again, her desire to see Juliet evident in her movements. Alexander turned away from her, his voice firm as he said, "No, you can''t go."


    Tears welled up in Quinn''s eyes, the message on her phone reying in her mind, stoking her anger. She turned away from Alexander, storming off towards the bedroom.


    After changing her clothes and grabbing her bag, she was ready to leave. But as she opened the door, she found Alexander leaning against the door frame, effectively blocking her way. "Where are you going?" he asked, his voice cold.


    Quinn gestured towards the hospital again, but Alexander''s gaze hardened. He reached out, his hand gripping her chin as he whispered, "I said you can''t go. Can''t you hear me?"


    His anger-filled eyes sent a chill down Quinn''s spine. She raised her hand, silently asking why.


    "There is no why. I said you can''t go, so stay home!" With that, he released her chin.


    "Don''t push me," he warned.


    Quinn staggered back, but before she could regain her bnce, the door mmed shut and locked. He had locked her in. Again. Quinn clutched her bag, her back against the door. Slowly, she slid down to the ground, her heart heavy with a myriad of emotions.