The assistant was speechless.


    Why was it always about Ste? She haunted his thoughts every moment of the day. What was so special about her?


    Despite his thoughts, the assistant found a wheelchair and pushed Leonard to the door of Joshua''s hospital room.


    Through the window, Leonard saw Ste feeding Joshua. The look in her eyes was filled with unmistakable tenderness. A faint smile yed on Joshua''s lips, and he seemed utterly content.


    After Joshua finished eating, Ste took a napkin and gently wiped his mouth.


    While their actions weren''t overtly romantic, anyone could see that the bond between them had grown much stronger. They were even closer than thest time Joshua had been hospitalized.


    Leonard''s right hand clenched, and a dull ache spread through his chest. He watched, transfixed, a strange longing rising within him.


    He gripped the arms of his wheelchair with all his might, using every ounce of his strength to keep from storming into the room, throwing Joshua out, and taking his ce.


    The assistant saw the look in Leonard''s eyes grow more and more unsettling and couldn''t help but swallow nervously.


    He whispered, "Mr. Lerman, we should go. If we stay any longer, Joshua will spot us."


    Even though Joshua was injured, the man''s skills were terrifying. Leonard was no match for him. And now, with Leonard''s injured leg, Joshua could kill him effortlessly.


    Leonard remained silent, as if he hadn''t heard a word.


    The assistant had a bad feeling that something would happen if they stayed. Without waiting for a response, he started pushing the wheelchair away.


    Leonard didn''t stop him.


    However, he was unnervingly quiet the entire way back. His eyes were downcast, hiding his expression.


    Not long after they returned to his room, Aurora arrived. This time, she was carrying a meal she had made herself.


    "Leonard, are you feeling any better?"


    Leonard stared out the window, answering with a detached grunt.


    Aurora said softly, "After I got away, I called my father and brother. By the time they


    sent people, your men had already rescued you."


    It seemed Aurora wasn''t lying about


    that part, Leonard vaguely recalled his assistant mentioning it. But But perhaps because he didn''t care, he had tuned it out.


    "In any case," Aurora continued, "thank you for saving me this time."


    Leonard''s expression was frighteningly calm. "Don''t thank me. They were after me. I just didn''t want to owe you anything."


    Aurora had hoped to use this incident to mend their rtionship, but she could


    clearly feel that he had grown even colder toward her.


    "Leonard..."


    She wanted to say more, but Leonard cut her off.


    "Is there anything else, Ms. Williams? If not, please leave. I need to rest."


    Aurora froze.


    Ms. Williams? He was calling her Ms. Williams?


    How could the man who had just risked his life to protect her, who had told her to run first, suddenly be apletely different person?


    Aurora began to regret abandoning Leonard so easily, giving Joshua an opening. The thought of Joshua made her want to eliminate him for good. He had ruined her ns several times, and this time he''d


    gone and killed Prince Wrigh causing the Wright family to direct


    their hatred toward her.


    Joshua had to be dealt with.


    Unwilling to give up, Aurora refused to believe that Leonard could so easily fall for


    someone else after loving her for so many years.