She had long since seen through their favoritism-it barely stirred a ripple in her heart anymore.


    To Skyler, there wasn''t much difference between the two of them; both were his daughters.


    Considering he''d lived with Aurora for so many years and poured his care into raising her, it was hardly surprising that he sided with Aurora. After all, there was Aurora, the daughter who''d been at his side for over twenty years, and then there was Ste-practically a stranger, someone who''d only shared his roof for a


    handful of years.


    There was simply noparison.


    Ste''s car moved steadily through the darkened streets.


    She wasn''t driving fast. Not since her ident. Ever since that crash, she''d been careful to keep her speed in check.


    At an intersection, the traffic light switched from red to green, and Ste eased the car forward.


    That''s when her eyes widened in shock. Out of nowhere, a pedestrian darted across the road, jaywalking right as the light changed.


    Ste''s foot mmed down on the brakes, instinct taking over.


    But she was toote the car clipped the man squarely.


    Thankfully, she hadn''t been speeding, and her quick reaction had slowed the impact. Even so, the man crumpled to the ground andy motionless-out cold.


    Heart pounding, Ste rushed from the car to check on him, her hands shaking as she dialed for an ambnce.


    ***


    At the hospital, Ste waited anxiously outside the emergency room.


    A few minutester, a doctor emerged, addressing her in a calm, professional tone. "The patient has a minor concussion, but he''s stable now. He should wake up soon."


    Ste exhaled, relief washing over her. It wasn''t her fault-he''d crossed on a red light—but she''d still been terrified something worse might happen to him.


    She exchanged a few more words with the doctor before quietly slipping into the patient''s room.


    The many unconscious, pale and still, a faint trace of blood smeared along his jaw. It was only now, in the quiet aftermath, that Ste got a good look at his face and froze.


    It was him.


    Even battered and bloodied, his striking features were unmistakable. She''d seen him before-at Mr. Burton''s g not long ago.


    Ste pulled up a chair and sat beside the bed, waiting in silence for him to wake.


    About half an hour passed before the man''s longshes fluttered and he slowly opened his eyes.


    Noticing the movement, Ste stood and stepped closer. "You''re awake. How are you feeling?"


    His eyes, dark and unfocused, drifted uncertainly to her face. "Who... are you?” His voice was hoarse, his gaze distant, as if he was still piecing together what had happened.


    Ste collected herself. "Sir, I''m so sorry. I was driving and I hit you. But-" she paused, then continued


    firmly you did walk across when the light was red, so you''re mostly at fault here."


    She softened her tone. "Still, I did hit you. I''ve already covered your hospital bills, and you don''t need to pay me back. If you need anything else, you can contact me through the police."


    Better to get everything out in the open. If he tried to im damages or cause trouble, she didn''t want to be dragged into a messy dispute. She''d already called the police, and had handed over dashcam footage to clear her name. Covering his medical expenses was just a gesture of guilt for being involved at


    all.


    The man said nothing, just stared at her in silence.


    Ste checked the time. "It''s gettingte. I should go. You should call your family


    -have someonee look after you."


    She turned to leave, but his voice suddenly stopped her.


    "I was... hit by a car?"


    Ste paused mid-step, turning back in disbelief. "You don''t remember?"