?Chapter 473:


    While eating lunch, Ste kept thinking about how William had taken a hit for her that day. Her voice softened. “Sandra, if someone does something huge for you, how do you normally repay them?”


    Sandra thought for a second. “Depends on how big. If it’s minor, just treat them to dinner or something.”


    “But what if it’s something major?” Worry crept onto Ste’s face. A favor that serious, like saving her life, wasn’t something you repaid with food.


    “If it’s big,” Sandra said seriously, “then find out what they need and do whatever it takes to make it right.”


    Ste racked her brain but couldn’t think of anything yet. So for now, she figured she’d eat first and figure outter what William might need. Once she paid him back properly, then she and William would be even.


    In theb, Willow watched closely as William finally started eating the lunch she’d prepared. She looked relieved and hopeful. “So, how does it taste?”


    William didn’t even nce up. “It’s okay,” he said tly.


    He said it was okay, but his expression gave away nothing. Willow’s excitement dimmed a little.


    Still, Willow didn’t stay down for long. She leaned in and smiled. “William, my parents keep asking when we’re setting a wedding date.”


    William put his fork down and calmly wiped his mouth. “I’ve got a lot on my te right now.”


    He didn’t reject her directly, but his answer said enough, and Willow’s heart sank.


    “We could at least have dinner with my parents,” Willow suggested gently. “I’m fine waiting, but they keep asking. Maybe one meal together could ease their minds?”


    Around William, Willow couldn’t act like her usual spoiled self.


    She had to walk on eggshells—afraid one wrong move would push him away.


    Since when had she ever behaved like this for a man?


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    With any other man, Willow would’ve lost her temper by now.


    William stood and replied with a calm but firm tone, “I’ll find a time. Thanks for the lunch.”


    He still hadn’t answered her directly. And Willow couldn’t help wondering if Ste was the reason.


    Was he dying their wedding because of Ste?


    The thought alone made Willow’s resentment toward Ste re—burning hotter than ever.


    Willow took a deep breath and began tidying up. “If you like it, I can make your meals every day!”


    William had already moved on, focused on his microscope. “Don’t trouble yourself. You’ve got other things to handle.”


    His words crushed whatever hope she had. She clutched the empty Tupperware and bit her lip, not knowing what to say next.


    “I’ll head out now,” Willow said. “But you’re stilling with me to the cruise ship party this weekend, right?”


    She was his fiancée, after all. Shouldn’t he be standing beside her at events like that?


    William remained silent as she slipped the ne from her throat—a luminous aquamarine framed with a constetion of tiny diamonds that caught the light and made her delicate skin glow.


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