?Chapter 443:


    “Done already?” she asked, ncing at the te.


    There was still nearly half left.


    She’d made extra, assuming he’d eat more.


    But William wasn’t in the mood. Her indifference was like ice water down his back.


    “Ste,” he said again, his voice low and serious. “Just be straight with me this once. You really wouldn’t care if I married someone else?”


    Ste ced the bowl on the table, her tone light. “Why would I care about your marriage—”


    Before she could finish, William grabbed her wrist and yanked her into his arms.


    Startled, she instinctively leaned against the uninjured side of his chest, afraid of hurting him again. “William, what are you doing?”


    His brows furrowed—and then, without warning, he kissed her.


    Ste froze. Her mind went nk. What the hell? He kissed her?!


    Once her thoughts snapped back into ce, she shoved at his chest with everything she had and scrambled away, putting distance between them. “What the hell is wrong with you?!”


    William sat up slowly, his gaze locked on her, eyes sharp and unreadable. “I’ve thought it through. I want you to be mine.”


    She stared at him like he’d lost his mind. “Aren’t you marrying Willow? Isn’t she the one you’ve been looking for since forever? How can you do this to her?”


    Ste couldn’t forget what Willow had said to her in the hospital. She’d figured William, of all people, would be loyal to the girl he’d searched for all those years. And now he was saying this?


    William’s frown deepened. “How do you know about that?”


    “Willow told me. Today. She said you’ve been in love with her since you were young. She’s your fiancée now, right? How could you—”


    She stopped herself, jaw clenched. She never thought he’d be this kind of person.


    She used to think he kept his distance from people because he was emotionally guarded. Whether he liked men or just wasn’t interested in romance, she never judged. But now? Now it just felt like he was ying games with people’s hearts.


    William almost blurted out that things with Willow weren’t what she thought.


    But he held back. Now wasn’t the time.


    Ste waited—for an exnation, for something—but he stayed silent. So that was confirmation?


    “If you’re already engaged, don’t do this kind of thing again. I’ll act like today never happened, but don’t cross the line again.” Her voice was calm, but distant. “Don’t make me think less of you, William.”


    She’d always seen him as someone with drive, charisma, and a moralpass. But if this was who he really was—blurring lines for the sake of feelings—then she was done.


    She wouldn’t even be able to stay friends with him.


    William’s voice came low. “Why won’t you believe I’m serious about you?” It wasn’t like him toy his emotions bare. But after kissing her, he didn’t want to hide anymore.


    Ste almostughed. “Then call off your engagement.”


    His jaw tightened. “I can’t. Not yet.”


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