Love Unspoken

Valerie scooped up the child, her gaze as cold as ice as it met Quinn's. Without a word, she pivoted on her heel and made her way indoors.

A light drizzle had begun to fall, prompting the others to follow suit, leaving the house devoid of occupants save for one.Quinn stood alone, her eyes tracing the path of the family as they disappeared into the house.

Nearby, Walter stooped to retrieve a bag of fruit that had spilled its contents onto the ground. He gathered up the scattered pieces, his steps measured as he moved towards Quinn."Quinn, the fruit's bruised," he said, his voice carrying a note of concern. He turned his gaze to her, his face wearing a smile that was perfectly balanced - neither too warm nor too aloof.

It was a mask, a facade that hid his true self from the world, impenetrable to those who sought to understand him. Without a word, Quinn extended her hand and accepted the bag of fruit, her fingers brushing against his in the process.

Walter withdrew his hand, his fingers lingering in the air as though savoring the ghost of her touch. Quinn glanced up, catching the glimmer of amusement in his eyes. She pursed her lips, her hand diving into the bag to retrieve a pristine apple which she handed to him.

Walter raised an eyebrow in surprise, "For me?" he asked. Quinn simply nodded in response.A chuckle escaped his lips as he reached out to accept the apple, "Thanks, Quinn." Her gaze dropped, her fingers tightening their grip on the handle of the bag."Let's head inside, dad's waiting," Walter suggested, taking the lead as they made their way into the house, Quinn trailing behind him.Freya's face darkened momentarily as she caught sight of them entering together.

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She quickly masked her displeasure with a cheery smile, "Walter, Peanut might need a change. Could you handle his diaper?" she asked.Without hesitation, Walter accepted the child from Freya, "Sure, I'll take a look," he replied, his face a picture of calm.

As Walter disappeared upstairs, Wayne turned his attention to Quinn, "Where's Alexander? Why didn't he come with you?" he asked.Quinn shook her head, her hands forming a shrug, "I don't know. He's probably busy." Wayne's expression hardened, he nudged Freya, "Didn't you tell him?""I texted him this afternoon. Who knows what he's up to," Freya replied, her voice laced with irritation. The unspoken suspicion that

Alexander was likely celebrating the New Year with his sweetheart hung in the air, though no one dared to voice it.

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Wayne grumbled under his breath, "That kid," before instructing Freya to call him. She nodded and began dialing Alexander's number.In the midst of the waiting silence, an orange came flying towards Quinn. She looked up to see Joseph sticking his tongue out at her.

Wayne caught sight of the antics as well, his stern gaze sending the child scurrying back to his mother's side."Valerie, you need to discipline your boy; he's out of line," Wayne reprimanded. Valerie's face paled at his words, "Dad, he's just a kid. I'll teach him in time.""He's seven, still a kid? When Alexander was his age, he was already fluent in a foreign language. And your son?" Wayne scoffed.

Valerie forced a strained smile, finding his comment both amusing and irritating. She couldn't tell if Wayne was boasting or if he genuinely believed every child should be as accomplished as Alexander. Kaitlyn, standing beside her, couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at the mention of her son's achievements, but the thought of her exceptional child having to deal with this situation sparked her anger."Why the long face, Quinn? Get downstairs and help with the cooking," Kaitlyn muttered, her words reaching Alexander just as his call connected.