?Chapter 1053:


    It was one of William’s bodyguards. She was pretty sure his name was Alex.


    The image of William’s constantly worried eyes shed in her mind, and the emotional walls she’d built up started to crack just a little.


    Even after everything, even with how cold she’d been… he never left.


    Any other person would have walked away by now.


    Later that night, Stey in bed, wide awake.


    In the haze between sleep and consciousness, William’s deep eyes seemed to pierce through the darkness. His low voice echoed, “Stel, my feelings for you are real. All I want is to keep you safe…”


    She turned over in bed, staring at the ceiling for a moment. Then, quietly, she made up her mind. Before her eyes closed again, she’d already decided—she was going back to William’s mansion.


    Strangely, it wasn’t as hard a choice as she thought it would be.


    Meanwhile, after her tense conversation in the Carter family’s study, Nina had been on edge all day.


    Even during meals with Karson and Lance, she felt like they were watching her too closely—like they could read her thoughts just by looking at her face.


    Sleep offered no escape. Nightmares kept dragging her out of bed, sweaty and shaken. In her dreams, the Carter family—and especially Ste—chased her like ghosts out for revenge. No matter where she ran, there was nowhere to hide.


    One morning, staring at her tired, worn-out reflection, Nina whispered to herself, “I can’t keep living like this.”


    If all the Carters cared about was Ste, then what was the point in staying?


    She pulled out herptop and started searching for ways to leave the country. But it didn’t take long before reality sank in.


    With the Carter family’s reach—and William’s influence—she’d probably be gged before her boarding pass even printed.


    Frustrated, she mmed theptop shut and sat there frozen.


    Just as panic started to rise in her throat, her phone rang. It was Lance.


    The ce for great stories: g?lnσν???s


    “Nina,” he said, calm and direct, e with me to the art g this weekend. It’s at the Art Center. Ste will be there. It’s time you two had a proper conversation.”


    Nina’s stomach dropped.


    Ste?


    Now?


    She hesitated, trying to wiggle out of it. “I’ve been feeling a little offtely… not really up for big events.”


    But Lance wasn’t having it. “Then you definitely need to get out. Sitting at home all day isn’t helping. You’reing with me.” His tone didn’t leave much room for debate. “It’s settled. I’ll pick you up Saturday night.”


    As soon as the call ended, Nina copsed onto the couch. Her hands were cold and mmy.


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