?Chapter 988:


    After finding that ring and realizing he was keeping things from her, she couldn’t pretend everything was okay. She couldn’t sit down for a happy meal with him.


    She didn’t even bother toe up with a real excuse this time. “No, I’m tired and not hungry. I just want to go home and rest.”


    Another t-out no.


    He had lost track of how many times she’d turned him downtely — how often she said she was exhausted these past few days.


    His hands clenched tighter on the wheel. Whatever little bit of warmth had been in the car disappeared, leaving a cold silence.


    He’d finally found the guts to offer a way out for both of them, but Ste didn’t give it a second thought — brushing it off like it meant nothing.


    He didn’t say a word after that. He just kept driving, eyes fixed ahead, ignoring the quiet that had settled between them.


    Ste was even more silent, if that was possible.


    She could feel the weight of his disappointment filling the cramped space, almost like it was pressing down on her.


    Her heart felt like lead — dragging her down with a mix of bitterness and sadness she couldn’t shake.


    She hated this. The constant suspicion. The way they were both stuck hurting, not knowing how to fix it.


    William had no clue why she’d changed, and she still didn’t know how to tell him.


    Nina’s words echoed in her mind, relentless and sharp. And that ring — mocking.


    Everything she’d shared with him, including her belief in him. She hated the crushing feeling.


    The car rolled to a slow stop in the vi’s underground garage. William killed the engine, and silence wrapped around them like a heavy nket.


    Ste reached for her seatbelt, unhooked it, and was about to open the door when William suddenly turned to her. His eyes locked onto her like he couldn’t hold it in anymore.


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    He’d once told her he couldn’t bear the distance when she withdrew from him.


    “Stel,e on. Just tell me. What’s really going on with you?”


    Her hand froze on the door handle. Her heart skipped a beat. She dropped her gaze to herp, fingers twitching slightly.


    She couldn’t meet his eyes. Her voice came out low and mumbled. “It’s nothing.”


    William didn’t buy it for a second. His brows drew together, his voice heavy with concern.


    “Don’t do that. Something’s up — you’ve been off since yesterday. You’re dodging me, won’t even look me in the eye. Did I do something? Or was it something Marc and Nina said to you?”


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