?Chapter 1183:


    The light in Ste’s eyes dimmed. “What could Marc possibly be hiding?” she asked quietly, unease threading her voice. “You’re acting strange today, Sharon.”


    Under the table, Josie nudged Sharon’s leg sharply—a silent plea. Then she stepped in quickly, her voice light but firm. “She just means we care about you. That’s all. Marriage is a big step—we just want you to be sure, so you never regret it.”


    Ste rxed at her words. Her smile returned, sweet and certain. “You don’t have to worry about me. I know what I want. I’ve loved Marc since college, and I never stopped. Marrying him… it’s always been my dream.”


    Her fingers brushed over the ring gently, her gaze distant—full of tenderness and nostalgia.


    “I know life isn’t perfect,” she said softly, trying to reassure them. “But if Marc is by my side, I can face anything.”


    Josie’s chest ached at the quiet conviction in her voice.


    Sharon looked away, afraid she’d say something she shouldn’t.


    They exchanged a nce—one filled with helplessness.


    Josie was the first to recover. She smiled faintly. “That’s all that matters, then. As long as you’re happy.”


    Sharon forced herself to echo the sentiment. “We’ll be your bridesmaids, of course. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”


    But in her heart, she made a silent promise. She wouldn’t let the wedding happen—not until Ste remembered the truth.


    Ste’s face glowed with joy. “You have no idea how much this means to me. With you two by my side, everything will be perfect.”


    She leaned in to hug them again,ughter bubbling in her throat.


    Yet as her arms wrapped around them, she felt the stiffness in their shoulders—the faint tension beneath their smiles. For a fleeting second, she pulled back slightly, puzzled.


    Two years apart shouldn’t make them feel this distant.


    Just as Josie and Sharon were about to leave, Ste caught their hands again. Her voice softened, threaded with quiet concern.


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    “Josie, Sharon… is something wrong? You’ve both seemed strange today. If you’re upset with me for not reaching out sooner after I woke up, I understand. Just tell me, okay?”


    The questionnded like a weight neither of them knew how to carry.


    Of course she noticed. Ste had always been the kind of person who could sense when something felt off—no matter how well someone tried to hide it.


    Josie forced a small, tired smile. “You’re overthinking. I’m just exhausted. Work’s been insely, and I probably look worse than I feel.”


    Sharon quickly chimed in, her tone a little too brisk. “Yeah, same here. I was up all night finalizing some new salon projects. I think I’m running on fumes.”


    Ste frowned slightly, clearly unconvinced. But after a pause, she let it go. “You two work too hard. Promise me you’ll rest, okay? Once the wedding nning starts, I’ll need your help.”


    She hadn’t seen them in two years and had so much she wanted to share—especially trying on wedding dresses together.


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