Chapter 1169:


    Her quiet sincerity left both men silent.


    Karson let out a long breath. “Then tell me this. If I said I disapproved of your marriage, what would you do?”


    Ste lifted her head sharply. A hint of displeasure shed across her face.


    “I’m sorry,” she said evenly, “but even if you’re my brother and grandfather, my life is still mine. Inviting you is out of respect, but that doesn’t mean you get to decide for me.”


    Her words were firm, unwavering.


    If they hade to offer their blessing, she would have weed them with open arms. But if their purpose was to stir up trouble, she wasn’t going to sit back quietly.


    Karson exchanged a quiet nce with Lance. The silence stretched between them until Karson finally exhaled.


    It didn’t matter who Ste chose to marry, as long as she was happy.


    And right now, she seemed deeply in love with Marc. Trying to separate them would only break her.


    It was better to wait… to watch how fate chose to unfold.


    Karson’s expression eased as he finally spoke. “If this is truly your choice, we will respect it. We won’t interfere with your decision. We’ll attend your wedding and show our support.”


    Ste had always carried the weight of being called a child without parents.


    In the past, she could only cover her ears, powerless against the ridicule that still found a way into her heart. All she had ever wanted was a real family, and the warmth that came with it.


    Now, for the first time, she felt she had found it.


    She lowered her head slightly, her voice quiet. “Thank you.”


    At that moment, Marc stepped into the room. Ste looked up, and a gentle smile immediately softened her face.


    Marc walked over and drew her into his arms with familiar ease. “That’s enough for today. Ste needs rest,” he said to Lance and Karson.


    Seeing Ste lean against him so naturally, Lance wanted to speak, but held his tongue.


    Karson gave Marc a long, assessing look, then turned to leave without a word.


    Let your mind wander with g?lnσν????s﹒??????


    After they left, Ste remained in Marc’s embrace, her breathing steady. “Marc,” she asked softly, “how did you find my family?”


    She had always believed they had disappeared without a trace.


    Marc answered evenly, “When you had the car ident, you needed a blood transfusion. Your brother happened to be at the hospital. You share the same blood type, and when he tried to donate, the doctors discovered you were close rtives. That led to your family being notified.”


    Close rtives were restricted from donating blood to each other, which was how Ste’s identity had been confirmed.


    Ste noticed nothing unusual. Instead, she was filled with gratitude that fate had unexpectedly reunited her with her family.


    She looked up at Marc, her eyes shimmering. “Marc, thank you for staying with me these past two years. It must have been exhausting… you’ve lost so much weight.”


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    Message from Noah: Happy holidays, beloved people. God loves you, and Noah wishes you all the best. ?(?? ? ? )??


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