?Chapter 1276:


    As the sound echoed, Josie tore her arm free and, in a sh of fury, pped Steven across the face. “I hate you!” she shouted, her voice trembling.


    Steven didn’t flinch. He lowered his gaze, his jaw tightening as he rubbed the side of his stinging cheek.


    “Listen to me,” he said quietly, steady but firm. “Charging in there won’t save her—it’ll only make him snap. You’ve seen what state he’s in. If we push him any harder, we won’t just lose Ste—we’ll make everything worse.”


    Sharon swallowed, her voice breaking slightly as she asked, “Then what do we do now?”


    Steven’s gaze shifted between Sharon and Josie, his tone calm but edged with restraint. “You both need to tell me everything that’s happened to Ste. Why didn’t either of you mention her amnesia before now?”


    The question hit them like a blow. Both women fell silent, exchanging guilty nces.


    It was true—they had hidden it. But how could they have predicted William would appear at the wedding, storm in like that, and take her away before they could even react?


    When they didn’t answer, Steven exhaled heavily, rubbing the back of his neck in frustration. “Let’s go for now,” he said atst, his voice weary but firm. “We need a n before we act again. There’s no way we can get her out tonight.”


    Josie and Sharon protested almost at the same time, their voices tight with worry. “But Stel—”


    Steven cut them off gently but decisively. “William may be furious right now, but the more he hates her, the more that means he still feels something for her. He won’t truly harm her. Trust me on this. For now, we leave.”


    The words stung, but they had no choice. Helplessly, they followed him back toward the cars.


    Inside the vi, William stood motionless, his expression carved from stone as the fading sound of engines disappeared into the distance. His jaw tightened, but he didn’t move.


    He remained by the locked bedroom door, listening to the faint, muffled sobsing from the other side. The sound pierced something deep within him. His expression flickered—rage, sorrow, confusion—but none of it settled.


    He had won, hadn’t he? He had taken her back, trapped her here, made her face the weight of what she had done.


    Then why did victory feel like loss? Why did his chest feel so painfully empty?


    His hands curled into fists, nails digging into his palms until the sting forced his thoughts still. He had to be strong. She had betrayed him—she deserved this.


    That was what he told himself. Again and again. Because if he didn’t believe it, then everything he had done would crumble into nothing, and he would have to face the unbearable truth—that he had lost himself along with her.


    Inside the room, Ste’sst fragile hope shattered the moment she heard Josie and Sharon drive away. The silence that followed pressed down like a weight.


    She slid to the floor, pulling her knees close, her tears falling soundlessly, soaking through the torn fabric of her dress. Never in her life had she felt so utterly broken.


    Her thoughts turned to Marc—was he looking for her now, desperate to save her? Or had he already given up?


    Her heart clenched at the sound of approaching footsteps. Someone was outside. She pressed herself against the corner behind the door, holding her breath.


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