?Chapter 1038:


    A faint sigh drifted through the line. “Oh, you know how it is. My health has its good and bad days. Ste, I’d love to see you again. When can youe over for a meal?”


    Ste hesitated, torn. She had no desire to reconnect with the Walsh family, yet saying no to the one person who had always shown her kindness felt impossible.


    “Margie, things have been a bit hectic for metely.”


    “It’s only one meal, dear. It won’t take much of your time.” Margie’s voice turned soft and almost pleading. “Marc won’t be there. It will just be the two of us. There are some things I need to talk to you about.”


    After a stretch of quiet, Ste finally murmured, “Alright then. You choose the time, and I’lle visit.”


    “Let’s make it the weekend. You should be free by then, and I’ll have the maid prepare all your favorite dishes.”


    When the call ended, Ste lowered her phone and found William’s eyes fixed steadily on her.


    She had stepped a little farther off, far enough that he couldn’t catch a word of her conversation. Instinctively, he asked, “Who was that?”


    Sliding her phone into her bag, Ste’s voice cooled again. “That’s not something you need to know. Thanks for what you did today, but I’m going now.”


    William reached out and caught her arm, his tone sharpening with urgency. “Stel, please don’t push me away again.”


    Even if all he wanted was a moment for her to listen, it seemed the world conspired against him. He didn’t know why it always happened, but every time he tried to make Ste understand, something—or someone—got in the way. It almost felt as though fate itself was set on keeping them apart.


    Ste pulled her arm free, her tone firm. “I’ve got things to take care of. I need to go.”


    “I’ll take you there.”


    Without slowing, she headed toward the parking lot. “That’s not necessary. I’ll drive myself.”


    William stayed where he was, eyes following her until she vanished from sight, a storm of emotions flickering across his face.


    Read exclusive updates gα?ησv??ls


    Ste steered out of the campus, her thoughts more tangled than when she’d first arrived.


    At the next intersection, the red light forced her to stop. Out of habit, she nced at the rearview mirror—and froze.


    A ck sedan trailed close behind. Her pulse quickened. It was the same model she’d seen parked near her apartment before. Holding her breath, she kept her eyes on it, unease tightening in her chest.


    She changed her route several times, but the ck sedan never wavered, always keeping the same steady distance.


    The realization hit her hard—someone was following her. Rather than head home, she veered toward the busiest district she could think of, hoping the crowd would work in her favor.


    .


    .


    .