?Chapter 912:


    William caught the shift in her expression immediately and let out a quiet sigh, his voice low, tinged with frustration and something softer beneath it. “It’s not that I don’t trust you, Stel. I do. You’re smart… capable.” He paused, his gaze locking with hers, voice dropping lower. “But I don’t want you anywhere near danger.”


    This time, he’d been lucky. He was fast enough to take the bullet for her. But what if he hadn’t been? What if he was just a second toote? What if—


    The image of her lying in a pool of blood shed across his mind like a nightmare he couldn’t shake.


    His chest tightened at the thought. He couldn’t let that happen. He wouldn’t.


    Ste saw the raw fear behind his words. Her eyes softened. “Okay,” she said quietly. “I’ll take a break—for now. But you better heal fast. Amon’s people won’t sit still for long. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re already nning a rescue.”


    That got a small smile from him. The tension in his shoulders finally eased. “Deal,” William said, reaching for her hand. “I promise.”


    The moment William opened his eyes, it felt like color had returned to Ste’s world.


    The next day, they moved him up to a VIP suite on the top floor. He was finally out of the danger zone, but with all the blood loss and trauma, his body was still incredibly weak. William had wanted to recover at home—but Ste shut that idea down real quick.


    The hospital’s medical facilities were undoubtedly superior to those at home, and staying there ensured he could receive immediate treatment if anything came up.


    William could’ve argued, but one look at her determined face, and he gave in with a sigh. He agreed to stay under observation—at least for a little while.


    As soon as he was settled in, Ste basically turned his hospital room into her own private researchb.


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    She was on top of everything. Massaging his arms and legs to keep his muscles from wasting away, watching his expressions so closely that the second he flinched in pain, she was right there, holding his hand, soothing him. She didn’t miss a thing.


    And even though William was the one lying in bed, watching her take care of him like that made his heart ache.


    “Thank you for everything…” he murmured, his fingers brushing her cheek. He never imagined he’d be the one needing this kind of care. Especially from her.


    Ste leaned into his hand, pressing it gently to her skin. “There’s no need to thank me,” she said softly. “Just focus on getting better.”


    Taking care of William wasn’t a chore to her. It wasn’t something she had to do—it was something she wanted to do. From the heart.


    There was no dramatic confession, no perfect moment with flowers and fireworks. But after everything they’d been through—the near death, the long nights—something had shifted between them.


    They didn’t need to say much. A nce, a small touch—it was enough to speak volumes.


    As the sun dipped low and painted the sky in reds and golds, William turned to her. “Stel,” he said quietly. “Will you be my girlfriend? Like… officially?”


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