Still, Abby couldn''t understand how Leonard had fallen for Ste.


    "Has Joshua noticed anything?" she asked quietly.


    "I don''t know..." Ste said. "To be honest, I can never really read him. He''s an enigma."


    Abby nodded silently.


    Joshua was scarily intelligent. Abby sometimes wondered if being with a man like that was a blessing or a curse for Ste.


    "Star," Abby said, "Joshua seems to be busy looking at housestely. Are you two nning to get married, or just move in together?"


    "Can I say that I have no ns for either at the moment?" Ste replied.


    Abby looked at her and whispered, "But... I think Joshua''s already designing a wedding ring... Star, he''s probably getting ready to propose."


    Ste''s gaze flickered. "A ring?"


    "Yesterday, before Joshua came to pick you up, he was on the phone by the elevator," Abby said. "I heard him mention something about ring designs... I think he''s serious about it."


    In the past, Ste would have been thrilled to be with someone who wanted to date with marriage in mind.


    But now... she couldn''t bring herself to feel happy.


    After a failed marriage, Ste was no longer eager to walk down the aisle again.


    She had only agreed to be with Joshua because she was more or less pushed into it; her own desire hadn''t been that strong.


    Just dating, she could convince herself to ept.


    But marriage...


    Ste truly hadn''t thought that far ahead.


    Abby knew Ste well. Seeing her expression, she knew exactly what was on her mind.


    Thinking of Joshua, who was enthusiastically preparing for a wedding, Abby felt a pang of sympathy for him.


    She opened her mouth, but in the end, said nothing. It wasn''t her ce as an outsider to say too much about their rtionship.


    Ste had the afternoon off, and Joshua came to her office to pick her up.


    After lunch, Joshua said to her, "Star, I''m taking you somewhere."


    About an hourter, Joshua brought Ste to a magnificent estate designed in a ssical style.


    Winding stone paths meandered through the beautiful grounds, and a pond of water lilies floated on the turquoise surface, creating a scene of deep tranquility.  fo


    Ste turned to Joshua. "This ce is..."


    Joshua smiled. "Do you like it, Star?"


    Ste actually adored ssical


    capes, especially t


    kind with and flowing water


    picturesque bridgeset


    She fell silent for a moment before giving a small nod.


    Joshua knew her so well.


    The scenery here perfectly matched her aesthetic.


    After showing her the grounds, Joshua led her inside.


    The decor, the furnishings, every single object inside was perfectly to Ste''s liking.


    It was clear that Joshua had put an immense amount of effort into this.


    When they reached the master bedroom, Ste took a soft breath and finally spoke. "Joshua."


    Joshua looked at her, a faint smile in his eyes.


    "Star, if there''s anything you don''t


    like, or if you''d prefer something else, just let me know can have it changed."


    Ste steeled herself. "Joshua, I don''t have any ns to get married right now.


    So, you don''t need to prepare all of this..."


    Under Joshua''s gaze, Ste''s voice grew quieter.


    But in the end, she decided to tell him the truth and let him make his own choice.


    "Joshua, actually... I don''t n on ever getting married again."