He never ruined a moment, never threw cold water on her efforts, and always met her expectations with the exact appreciation she needed.


    Ste had always felt that Joshua truly understood her.


    They held each other infortable silence for a while before Ste finally broke


    the peace.


    "Joshua, how is your illness... how is your recovery going?"


    There was no readable emotion in Joshua''s voice.


    "It''s fine."


    Ste looked up, meeting his incredibly handsome, sculpted gaze, and said earnestly, "Joshua, tell me the truth. Is your condition getting worse?


    Those daily logs you''ve been keeping in the study... are they about your illness?"


    Joshua''s eyes darkened slightly, but he didn''t look away. He stared down at her, a faint smile coloring his voice, even as a fleeting, icy gleam shed deep in his eyes.


    "Star, what makes you think that? Has someone been whispering strange things in your ear?"


    Ste''s heart skipped a beat, startled by how dangerously sharp he was.


    Even though he had seen right through her again, she was no longer the girl who wore her heart on her sleeve and let her emotions show so easily.


    "Joshua, I''m not that oblivious," she said smoothly. "I can feel these things for myself."


    She took his hand, her voice turning soft and tender.


    "If Ms. Quinn''s treatment n isn''t working, we can explore other options. We can find better, more renowned specialists.


    Joshua, we''re getting married. We''re going to spend the rest of our lives together.


    No matter what happens, I will stay by your side and help you get through this, okay?"


    Joshua remained silent for a long time, his pitch-ck eyes fixed intensely on her. Ste didn''t flinch, meeting his gaze with unwavering, gentle determination.


    After what felt like an eternity, Joshua finally spoke.


    His voice was as clear and cool as water. "Alright. Whatever Star says."


    Ste''s tense nerves immediately rxed, and a relieved smile broke across her face.


    "Then I''ll start having people look into it?" she asked.


    Joshua nodded. "Mm."


    Ste exhaled deeply.


    It seemed Abby was right. She had likely let Laurel Quinn get


    head, making her believed he


    was resistant to


    it.


    Maybe Joshua actually wanted to be cured but just hadn''t been able to find a capable enough doctor.


    Since he had agreed, Ste began formting a n to find top-tier medical experts.


    But finding a truly exceptional doctor was no easy feat.


    If it were that simple, Joshua would have found one ages ago.


    Her mind went to Mr. Burton.


    He had practiced medicine for decades and likely had connections with world-ss specialists in this field.


    But then she remembered Sellers, and a wave of guilt washed over her. She couldn''t face Mr. Burton right now.


    If she was going to ask him for a favor, she needed to ensure Sellers was returned home safely first.


    Over the past few days, Ste had dropped subtle hints, trying to convince Joshua to let Sellers go.


    But Joshua would either y dumb or seamlessly change the subject.


    It was obvious he had no intention of releasing him.


    Outside, the night was pitch-ck and dead silent.


    Ste had long since fallen into a deep sleep.


    Joshua quietly slipped out of bed and walked out into the courtyard.


    He picked up his phone and gave a cold,


    detached order. "Send me a


    dlog of Star''s whereabet


    II


    weeks


    ever the past few week


    A respectful voice answered on the other end, "Yes, sir."


    About ten minutester, a digital file appeared on his phone.


    As Joshua scrolled through the information, a dark, vicious storm brewed in his eyes.


    A few dayster, Ste received a call from Marvin Connolly.


    "Ste."


    crying, like he had just been et


    "Can youe see me


    afternoon?"


    Though they texted each other often, it had been a while since they had actually


    seen each other in person.