Joshua''s eyes narrowed slightly. "Not nning on getting married again... What does that mean?"


    Ste instinctively avoided his gaze.


    Her heart was a mess of conflict and struggle.


    Seeing how much thought Joshua had put into all this, Ste was genuinely moved.


    All along the way, she had been debating whether she should say anything.


    She didn''t want to pour cold water on his enthusiasm.


    But she knew it was better to be clear about certain things sooner rather thanter.


    Ste said softly, "Joshua, you know my situation. For me, now is not a good time to get married."


    "What if the whole business with the Williams family is over?" he asked.


    Ste''s gaze wavered. "Joshua, marriage is no small thing. There are so many things to consider.


    You can be in a rtionship just because you like each other, but marriage is different."


    Herst failed marriage was a result of her recklessness.


    She and Haynes O''Brien had barely known each other.


    And while she and Joshua knew each other well, there was a fundamental difference between being friends and being lovers.


    They might be great friends, but whether they were suited to be a couple, let alone husband and wife, was still an unknown.


    The temperature in the room seemed to drop. Joshua''s smile took on a dangerous edge.


    "So, you''re just ying games with me?"


    Ste lowered her eyes. "No, I''m just not ready to think about marriage right now.


    As for the future... I''m sorry, Joshua, I can''t guarantee my feelings will change. Maybe they will, maybe they won''t.


    I don''t want to make a promise I might not be able to keep, likest year when I promised to spend your birthday with you but didn''t."


    The room fell quiet.


    Only the sound of the curtains rustling in the wind could be heard.


    Joshua didn''t speak for a long time.


    Ste wanted to say something, but a lump formed in her throat.


    She knew that since she couldn''t give him


    the response he wantedet


    gelse she said would just like an excusercontent


    After what felt like an eternity, Ste finally broke the silence.


    "Joshua, you should think about it. If you can''t ept this..."


    Before she could finish, Joshua cut her off.


    "Are you breaking up with me?"


    Ste''s breath hitched. She closed her eyes. "We could... take some time apart to cool off."


    Silence fell once more.


    Ste''s chest felt tight.


    She didn''t dare look at Joshua''s expression.


    Seeing his continued silence, she said in a low voice, "Joshua, to


    it


    Over going to


    With that, she turned and walked toward the door.


    Just as she pulled it open, she heard the sound of hurried footsteps behind her.


    A momentter, she was pulled into a tight embrace from behind.


    "Don''t go." The man''s voice was low and raspy, tinged with an unexinable panic. "Star, don''t go."


    "Joshua..."


    "I''m sorry. I was too hasty. I didn''t consider your feelings."


    Joshua''s voice was in her ear, his breathing ragged.


    "If you don''t want to get married, we won''t get married."


    Without much thought, Joshua chose to back down again.


    "Whenever you''re ready, you can tell me... Star, let''s not break up." Ste, with her back to him, couldn''t see the expression on his face.


    But in that moment, an


    gent, an inexplicable


    sense of guilt andpassion. over her, and her resolve


    even began to Belongs


    aver.