?Chapter 1018:


    Blinking in disbelief, Ste asked, “How are you here already?”


    By her count, he should’ve still been standing in that mall when her taxi pulled away.


    William didn’t bother answering her offhand question. His gaze stayed on her. “I’m just d you got home safe.”


    Ste hesitated briefly. That was when it hit her—he hade all this way just to be sure she made it back without trouble.


    With sincerity written all over his face, William stepped forward, then stopped short, keeping enough distance so she wouldn’t feel cornered. “We’re not done talking.”


    “I think we are.” Brushing past him, Ste made her way to the elevator.


    William fell in step behind her without saying another word.


    Inside the elevator, silence pressed between them, heavy enough to choke the air. Ste forced her gaze on the glowing numbers above, urging the machine to climb faster.


    Beside her, William finally broke the quiet, his tone subdued. “I realize you’ve been overwhelmedtely, carrying more than enough on your shoulders. I understand that thest thing you want is moreplications from me.”


    No words came from Ste. Instead, her jaw tightened, the only sign of the storm she refused to voice.


    William pressed on, his voice steady. “I’ll step back and let you have the time you need to sort through everything, but I won’t agree to ending us.”


    He believed matters of the heart shouldn’t be taken lightly. Her insistence that breaking up was hers alone to decide was something William simply couldn’t ept.


    The elevator chimed, and the doors parted. Ste strode out quickly, as if his words had never reached her.


    Before she could touch the handle of her door, William moved in, his palm pressing against the wall beside her, trapping her in the narrow space between them.


    Ste’s breath caught, her chest tightening in surprise.


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    “I’ll respect your choice to return here, but your safetyes first. The matter with Erebus isn’t settled—they’re merciless. I can’t allow you to stay alone without protection, so I’ll have someone watching over you.”


    Unlike before, he was telling her outright instead of making the decision behind her back.


    Ste almost let out a bitterugh. At the very least, this was an improvement—he wasn’t shutting her out of the decisions anymore.


    “Stel, you matter to me. Erebus is ruthless, and I refuse to risk your life.”


    No reply came from her. Deep down, Ste knew his words held truth. She had witnessed firsthand the savagery of Erebus, and if they came after her while she was alone, she wouldn’t stand a chance.


    William noticed her reluctance and eased his voice. “I won’t interfere with your life. The guards will keep watch from a distance, nothing more.”


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