"Haynes, you need to learn to look forward," Ste said gently.


    His gaze deepened as he looked at her. "Star, you once told me that for the right person, any sacrifice is worth it. You have your own life now, and I won''t interfere. But I have my memories, too. You don''t need to feel burdened by them. And..."


    Her reflection shone in his dark eyes, focused and unwavering.


    "Your five years of devotion didn''t just move you. I was simply too blind to appreciate it. To me, Star, you are that right person."


    Knowing it was useless to argue with him, Ste changed the subject. "Have the school arrange arge-scale family event this weekend."


    The weekend was only two days away.


    Understanding her underlying intention, Haynes nodded. "Consider it done."


    "And the security?" she asked. "Is everything arranged?"


    "Everything is in ce," he assured her. "He won''t be able to act as recklessly here as he did in Novaris."


    "Good," Ste said. "I''ll be sleeping in Keen''s room for the next few days. I''ll leave the rest to you."


    After exchanging a few more details with Haynes, she turned to go find Keen.


    Suddenly, her phone vibrated. ncing at the screen, she saw Joshua''s name. She didn''t answer, silencing the device instead.


    He called three times. When she ignored them all, a text came through.


    "Star, I''m waiting outside."


    Ste walked to the window. Sure enough, a sleek car was parked near the front gates. Joshua sat quietly inside, making no move to force his way in.


    She didn''t reply.


    ...


    The next morning, Ste''s first instinct upon waking was to check the window. Joshua''s car was still parked in the exact same spot. He hadn''t left all night.


    Her chest tightened painfully. She quickly stepped away from the


    Vl


    ss, ferrified that looking at him a second longer would shattercher resolver content belongs


    She was distracted throughout breakfast, her mind a million miles away. Haynes noticed but remained silent.


    Afterward, Ste went upstairs to work while Haynes drove Keen to school.


    The moment she opened herptop, her phone rang. It was Joshua again.


    Staring at the screen, she finally epted the call.


    "Joshua," she said, her voiceced with ice. "I despise men who can''t take a hint. You are seriously disrupting my life."


    A long silence stretched across the line.


    "Star, I


    to a week,


    his voice finally came through, rough and ."Juste out and let


    me look at you. If leave right after


    Ste hung up.


    Ten minutester, she walked out the front doors.


    A line of suited bodyguards stood watch near the gates. The second Joshua saw


    her, he threw his car door open and stepped out.


    Ste walked right up to him. "You can leave now, right?"


    As he took a step forward, the bodyguards immediately moved to block his path.


    Without even ncing at them, Joshua offered a faint smile. "Star, you know these guys can''t stop me if I decide to take you."


    Ste looked at the guards. "Stand down."


    She knew he was right. Despite the heavy security, Joshua could tear through them if he truly wanted to He could break into the house and drag her away by force. He just hadn reached that breaking point yet.


    The bodyguards exchanged uneasy nces before obediently stepping back.


    Joshua closed the distance between them. He studied her face intently for a few seconds before pulling her into a gentle, desperate embrace.


    "Star, I missed you so much."