He did it for Aurora. It had a motive and was logically understandable. But now...


    His feelings for her hade out of nowhere, without any warning, and it was just in terrifying.


    "Leonard," Ste said coldly, "if you had been devoted to Aurora from start to finish, I would have respected you, even if youmitted every evil act in the book. But now that you''ve suddenly switched your affections to me, it just makes you look pathetic. Your feelings are cheap and worthless."


    "Joshua was right," Leonard retorted. "No one gives without expecting something in return, and I''m no different. What Aurora gave me wasn''t what I wanted."


    "Leonard, if Aurora can''t give you what you want, then I certainly can''t either," Ste stated. "Someone else might be able to give you what you''re looking for, but that person will never be me."


    "No, you can," Leonard insisted.


    Ste had no desire to discuss matters of the heart with Leonard, but his current state filled her with a strange unease. She wanted to deceive herself, to believe he was only getting close to her to help Aurora. But she knew very well that while Leonard was capable of murder and arson, hecked the patience to spend so much timeing here to confess his feelings to her.


    She didn''t know why he had suddenly fixated on her, but for now, the best course of action was to divert his attention.


    "That''s because your world is too small, and you''ve met too few women," Ste said. "Leonard, you should try meeting more women. Once you do, you''ll realize that what I have to offer is nothing special."


    Leonard saw right through her attempt. "Ste, I''ve met plenty of women, but I''m not interested in them," he said tly. "Right now, I''m only interested in you."


    Ste frowned. "But your persistence is really bothering me."


    "I just hope you''ll give me a chance topete fairly with Joshua."


    "Impossible," Ste refused, her expression icy.


    Leonard fell silent for a few seconds before saying, "I won''t give up."


    An undeniable loathing filled her eyes. "I''m with Joshua. I won''t give you any chance."


    A sharp pang shot through Leonard''s chest, a dull ache spreading from the spot.


    Ste took a few steps back and turned to leave. Leonard instinctively reached for her wrist but only managed to grasp the hem of her clothes as she pulled away


    Seeing this, Wilbur quickly stepped forward to block Leonard.


    Leonard didn''t pursue her. He just stared, lost, at his empty hand.


    ***


    After leaving the store, Abby saw that Ste''s expression was darker than she had ever seen it. She hurried over.


    "Star, what did Leonard say to you?"


    A shadow fell over Ste''s features. "It seems like Leonard is serious... I think he''s really fallen for me."


    Abby looked at Ste and suddenly said, "Star, Leonard falling for you isn''t necessarily a bad thing. At least he won''t hurt you anymore. And..."


    Abby nced back into the store at the tall figure standing there in a daze, lowering her voice. "If you asked him to kill Aurora right now he''d probably agree. Leonard''s no saint anyway, so why not let him and Aurora tear each other apart? Let Aurora get a taste of what it feels like to be hurt by him."


    Ste understood what Abby meant, but she gently shook her head.


    .neq


    "If I were to use Leonard, I''d have to y games with him. He''s too dangerous. Getting involved with


    him would be like making a deal with the devil Content bngs