"I''ve taken care of everything else," Ste said quietly.<fn61f5> This update is avable on Find?Novel</fn61f5>


    Joshua looked apologetic. "I''m sorry. I haven''t been any help to you just trouble. And now, I''m the one you''re taking care of."


    Ste was about to reply when her phone rang. She nced at the screen.


    Antoney.


    She answered, "Hey, Antoney."


    "Star, I justnded in Germany," he said.


    "Thanks for handling things so openly these past few days," Ste replied. "We need the Gibson family''s attention on you for now."


    Antoney chuckled. "That''s no problem at all."


    He hesitated before adding, "Star, are you sure you don''t want my help?"


    "You''re already helping me just by being there," Ste assured him.


    Antoney pressed, "We could just leave together. Even if Gibson finds out, he wouldn''t dare touch me."


    Ste shook her head, ncing over at Joshua, who was scrolling through his phone. "I could leave with you, but Joshua can''t. There''s no way they''d ever let


    him go."


    She lowered her voice. "He''s rescued me so many times. This time, I have to make sure he''s safe."


    Antoney was loyal to a fault; he understood perfectly. He sighed. "Just be careful.


    If anything goes wrong, call me right away. I''ll back you up."


    "Don''t worry," Ste said. "I''ve already arranged for backup. We''ll be fine."


    After acquiring the Pearce Group and buying out that Israeli business, Ste had impressed Nora''s former investors so much that they handed over thest of Nora''s connections and resources to her. For the first time, Ste had awork of her own.


    Antoney knew Ste never acted recklessly, so he didn''t push further.


    After the call, Ste turned to Joshua. "You should get some rest. I''m going out to pick up dinner."


    Joshua nodded. He was recovering, but still vulnerable-any stress excitement could trigger his


    condition again, so he could elné


    leave


    the apartment yet.  s


    As Ste reached the door, Joshua called out softly, "Star."


    She paused and looked back.


    "Be careful," he said.


    Ste smiled. "I will."


    That evening, Ste brought up their new n for Joshua''s therapy.


    "If listening to music helps your nerves, maybe other things will too. Let''s try bedtime stories," she suggested.


    Joshua''s eyes widened in surprise. "Bedtime stories?"


    "When Keen was little," Ste


    exined, "he couldn''t fall asleep on his own. I''d read to him every night.


    It helped him rx-just like music


    does. Maybe it help you too


    s


    Joshua didn''t seem embarrassed by the idea. In fact, he looked almost eager. "No


    one''s ever read me a bedtime story before."


    Ste''s gaze softened.


    She''d grown up with just her mother,


    but Nora had given her all the


    warmth and love she could. Ste


    had nevercked the ability to care for others.  s


    Joshua, on the other hand, hadn''t been so lucky.


    Her tone grew gentler as she looked at him. "Lie down and getfortable. You


    might just drift off before I finish."


    Joshua suddenly asked, "And what about you?"