?Chapter 1253:


    Josie leaned forward, her voice trembling slightly. “How is he? Why hasn’t he contacted anyone? Does he know about Ste and—”


    “He knows,” Steven cut in. “That’s exactly why I called. He knows about the wedding. But his reaction was… unusual.”


    Sharon frowned, her instincts instantly on alert. “What do you mean unusual? What did he say?”


    They all knew what William’s temper was like. Josie could only imagine his reaction upon hearing of Ste’s impending marriage.


    Steven let out a bitterugh, remembering the look in William’s eyes—so cold it didn’t feel human.


    “He said Ste was never sincere with him. That her heart always belonged to Marc. He called her a fraud.”


    Sharon mmed her palm against the table, making the coffee cups rattle. “That’s insane! William knows Ste isn’t like that! Has hepletely lost it?”


    Josie looked just as stunned, her face pale. “Impossible. Ste loved him. She left Marc for him. How could he think that?”


    “I know,” Steven said quickly, gesturing for them to calm down. “But tell me—if Ste loved him so deeply, then why would she suddenly marry Marc? Why the sudden change?”


    At his question, Josie and Sharon exchanged a tense nce but said nothing.


    They both knew the truth behind Ste’s strange behavior—her amnesia—but they couldn’t tell Steven.


    Not without breaking their promise to the Carter family.


    Sharon finally found her voice. “Whatever her reasons, I can guarantee one thing—when she was with William, her feelings were real. Ste’s not the kind of woman who wavers once she gives her heart.”


    Josie pressed her fingers to her temples, exhaustion clear in every movement.


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    “Ste’s about to marry someone else,” she said softly. “I understand William might not be able to ept it, but for him to speak about her like that—it’s too cruel. That’s not him.”


    Steven’s jaw tightened. “I agree. His reaction doesn’t feel… right. He’s not just angry. It’s like someone twisted his emotions, like he’s not thinking for himself.”


    Sharon was about to respond, but Josie quickly stopped her, turning to Steven instead. “What exactly do you mean by that?”


    Could William possibly be acting against his own will?


    Steven hesitated. “I don’t know. Maybe he’s been misled. Those two seem to havepletely forgotten all the good in each other. Like everything they had was wiped clean.”


    He sighed wearily, rubbing his temple. The whole situation was taking its toll on him.


    The words seemed casual, but they hit Josie and Sharon like a de.


    Their eyes met, a sh of unease passing between them. Josie’s hands curled around the hem of her dress, her pulse racing.


    Watching Steven worry for his friend, an impulse to tell him the truth surged within her, almost impossible to suppress. Perhaps having one more person know would mean one more source of strength?


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