?Chapter 759:


    He had only rinsed her soiled clothes. The bedding was still soiled. Undeniable proof of what had really happenedst night.


    Ste looked at the messy sheets on the floor and the crumpled papers in the bin, and it hit her that she had gotten William all wrong.


    Broken memories came flooding back. Marc’s disgusting touch, his smell that wouldn’t leave her skin, then William rushing in, holding her carefully as if she might break.


    The gentle touch and calm presence she remembered weren’t illusions. It really was William who stayed by her sidest night.


    He hadn’t hurt her at all. In fact, he had been the one to save her.


    Realizing this, guilt swept through her, breaking down the little strength she had left.


    She stumbled back against the cold wall, dropped her head, and covered her face with her hands.


    Her mind was in chaos,st night’s scenes shing one after another, leaving her head pounding.


    William didn’t scold her. Instead, he said gently, “Why don’t you sit on the couch for a while?”


    If she kept standing like that, she’d copse sooner orter.


    Once she sat on the couch, it took more than half an hour before Ste slowly pieced together what had happened.


    Guilt washed over her as she nced at William, who had been quietly sitting by her side all this time. Her voice came out soft and shaky. “I’m sorry…” A sob slipped from her lips, heavy with regret and self-me. “I’m sorry, William. I don’t know what came over mest night. Everything’s a blur. I didn’t mean for it to happen…”


    She was trembling, and not just from guilt, but from fear.


    Seeing her like this, William’s eyes showed nothing but worry.


    He let out a sigh, crouched beside her, and gently touched her shaking shoulders.<fn196b> Fresh chapters posted on FindN0vel</fn196b>


    “It’s okay now, it’s over,” he began softly. “I never meant to me you. The doctor checked on youst night. Other than the drug’s effect, you’re fine. Once it wears off, you’ll be okay.”


    He had also made sure with the doctor that she hadn’t been assaulted. If she had, there’s no way Marc would have walked away so lightly.


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    Hearing his attempt tofort her only made the ache in her chest feel heavier.


    With tears blurring her eyes, she noticed the clear handprint on his face and whispered hoarsely, “Your cheek…”


    William brushed his cheek with no concern, a small crooked smile forming. “It’s nothing. Just a mark, like when a scared kitten swipes at you.”


    His light tone dragged a softugh out of Ste against her will, and when he saw her smile, his worries finally lightened.


    To William, the p didn’t matter one bit as long as she was safe.


    In fact, being hit by the woman he loved didn’t feel like such a punishment at all.


    Over in Truett’s hospital room, the air was so tense it felt like the temperature had dropped several degrees.


    Truett looked a little brighter that day, managing to stay awake longer. Propped against the headboard, his weary eyes kept shifting toward the door, filled with quiet hope.


    Normally, Ste would have walked in around this time to keep himpany, but as the clock ticked closer to noon, she still hadn’t shown up.


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