A genius doctor like Tegan was a rare find nearly impossible to get on your team.


    To put it bluntly, even though Uriah had always kept her under his wing all these years, Tegan had never just coasted on his support. She''d been working her tail off when no one was looking, quietly building her own path to sess.


    She had wings of her own now-strong, independent, and entirely hers.


    Even if she left Uriah, Tegan would be just fine. She''d already carved out her own corner in the field, far from his control.


    But still...


    "So, what''s Uriah''s attitude towards you these days?" Ste asked, curiosity getting the better of her.


    She hadn''t poked around too much about Uriah and that Helena situation before. But back then, Tegan had insisted on leaving with her, which meant what went down with Helena was no small matter.


    Tegan just shrugged, "He doesn''t really have an attitude."


    Ste''s eyes widened. "Are you serious?!"


    "Actually, I''m getting ready to leave Portis City," Tegan admitted quietly. "As soon as the research center in Yornd gets back to me, I''m out of here."


    Right now, Tegan was just waiting for that final call.


    Ste''s jaw dropped. "You''re going to Yornd?"


    "Don''t tell anyone," Tegan said quickly.


    She hadn''t even told Uriah yet, and she definitely didn''t want Ste spilling the beans.


    Ste nodded. "Don''t worry, I won''t say a word."


    They chatted for a bit longer, then hung up.


    Ronald came out of his study to find Ste sitting on the bed, just putting her phone down.


    He walked over, slipped off his robe, and climbed into bed, wrapping his arms around her. “Who was that on the phone?"


    Lately, Ronald really hated when people called Stete at night. She was pregnant now-she needed her rest.


    Ste snuggled deeper into the covers, scooting closer to him. "It was Tegan."


    "Does she need your help? She should just call Idris directly." Ronald''s tone was a little grumpy.


    Ste rolled her eyes. Did he think


    every one of her friends was like- Susie, always asking for favors?


    Back in Portis City, it was Susie who helped her more often.


    This time, everything in Susanna''s world had turned upside down so fast she was still reeling. But once she got her footing, Ste was sure Susanna would adapt-she always did.  s?novel


    "She didn''t call for help," Ste mumbled.


    Ronald raised an eyebrow. "No?"


    Ste hesitated, then said, "Urs''s dead. They found her under the old stone bridge in Portis City. The weather''s been freezing there these days."


    Urs―the city''s most well-known foster daughter. Ste was sure the news would be all over the headlines by morning.


    Ronald sighed and pinched her cheek yfully. "She woke you up in the middle of the night for that?"


    "It''s daytime in Portis City right now," Ste pointed out.


    "Still," Ronald grumbled.


    Ste grinned, sticking out her tongue. "She told me because she knew it''d make me happy."


    Honestly, when Tegan told her how badly things had ended for Urs, Ste did feel a tiny bit of satisfaction.


    Ronald shook his head. "Couldn''t she have called during the day?"


    "If it''s daytime here, it''s the middle of the night for Tegan," Ste exined.


    Ronald didn''t say anything more-just pulled her closer, urging her to get some sleep.


    Ste always slept better with Ronald next to her. In his arms, she drifted off in no time. But Ronald, on the other hand, wasn''t so lucky.


    Around four in the morning, he had to get up and take a cold shower.


    When he crawled back into bed and


    wrapped his arms around Ste again,


    She must''ve felt the chill


    because she squirmed and muttered sleepily, "Stop hugging, you''re cold."


    The way she moved against him only made it worse-he''d barely managed to


    cool off, and now the fire was starting all over again.