?Chapter 1181:


    He paused, then added quietly, “And… Ste’s alive today because of Marc. Whatever he’s done before, he was the one who saved her life. I can’t deny that.”


    Neither woman spoke.


    “I know how you feel,” Lance went on, his tone gentler now. “But right now, she’s happy. She doesn’t remember the pain, or William’s disappearance, or the heartbreak. All she feels is peace. For now, that has to be enough.”


    Sharon’s voice came out trembling with anger. “So you’re just going to let her be with the man who almost ruined her?”


    Lance’s feelings wereplicated too. He also wished he could keep Ste as far away from Marc as possible, but the truth was, it just wasn’t possible.


    Josie reached over and tugged Sharon’s sleeve, whispering, “Not here. Let it go, for Ste’s sake.”


    Then she turned back to Lance. “Can we see her?”


    She just wanted to make sure Ste was truly safe now.


    He nodded.


    “You can. But promise me—no mention of William. No hint about her divorce. Not until the doctors say it’s safe.”


    Josie hesitated, then nodded. Sharon did the same, though reluctantly.


    The riverside vi was quiet when they arrived. Through the wide ss doors, they spotted Ste curled up on the sofa, flipping through a bridal magazine. A soft smile yed on her lips, her whole face glowing with the unmistakable look of someone in love.


    When she looked up and saw them, her eyes lit up instantly. “Josie! Sharon!”


    She jumped to her feet and rushed over, pulling them both into a warm embrace. “I’ve missed you two so much!”


    To her, it had been two years since she’dst seen them.


    “You haven’t changed at all,” she said brightly, holding their hands. “Still as gorgeous as ever.”


    Josie and Sharon froze for half a heartbeat, caught off guard by the warmth of Ste’s embrace. But when her familiar scent and voice wrapped around them, instinct took over—and they hugged her back just as tightly.


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    Up close, she looked… radiant. Her skin had regained that soft, healthy glow, and her eyes—those bright, expressive eyes—sparkled the way they used to, back when she still believed in happy endings. It was the kind of light only love could bring back.


    Josie steadied her voice, careful not to sound too cautious. “We heard you woke up, so we came to see you. How are you feeling?”


    Lance’s warning echoed in her mind—Ste believed she’d been in aa for two years. They couldn’t risk saying the wrong thing.


    “I’m perfectly fine now,” Ste said cheerfully.


    She tugged them toward the sofa, her excitement bubbling over like a child guarding a secret. “Actually, you came at the perfect time!”


    Before they could even ask, she extended her left hand. A diamond ring caught the afternoon light.


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