?Chapter 1244:


    But when Ste turned to look again, the car was gone—its taillights already swallowed by the dark street.


    “What happened?” Marc asked, his arm still around her waist.


    Ste blinked, forcing a small smile. “Nothing. I just lost my bnce.”


    Marc chuckled, brushing her hair from her face. “You need to be more careful.” He slipped a coat over her shoulders and led her toward the car.


    But once she was seated inside, she couldn’t stop thinking about that fleeting moment—those eyes staring back at her, brimming with venom and pain.


    She didn’t know him. She was sure she didn’t. And yet, something about that look felt like a blow straight to the heart.


    Not fear—something heavier. Sadder.


    Like she couldn’t bear to see hatred in those eyes.


    She didn’t understand why.


    Marc, in the driver’s seat, chattered on about the restaurant’s signature dishes, promising to order them all for her to try.


    When she didn’t respond, Marc nced over and saw her sitting motionless, her gaze fixed on her hands resting quietly in herp.


    “Stel?” he called softly.


    The sound of his voice made her blink and lift her head. “Hmm? What were you saying?” she asked, a little dazed, a small, apologetic smile tugging at her lips.


    He studied her face, the distant look in her eyes. A quiet worry stirred in him—one that had be all too familiar.


    Without a word, he reached into the side pocket and pulled out a bottle of yogurt—a habit he’d formed for outings like this, each bottle discreetly dosed with the suppressant to prevent Ste’s memories from resurfacing. He handed it to her.


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    “Did the near fall scare you? Here, have this. We’ll be there soon.”


    Ste took the yogurt with a faint smile,pletely unsuspecting. “Thank you,” she said softly.


    She didn’t mention the man she had seen watching her from across the street. Maybe it had just been her imagination. Maybe her mind was ying tricks on her again.


    Meanwhile, William’s car tore through the city streets like a beast unleashed. The moment he left the vi district, the fury he’d been holding back erupted inside him.


    His hands tightened around the steering wheel as his chest heaved with anger. The image of Ste—smiling so easily beside Marc—burned behind his eyes.


    How could she look so content, as if the past between them had never existed? If he had been driving just a little slower, he might have turned back and confronted them both right then.


    The world outside blurred—lights melting into streaks of color as he pressed harder on the elerator. The only thing clear in his mind was the hate wing at his chest.


    Then, his phone rang. The sharp sound sliced through his rage. He mmed on the brakes, tires screeching as the car swerved to a halt by the side of the road.


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