?Chapter 1284:


    He mmed his fist into the wall, leaving a deep dent in the ster.


    His eyes locked onto William, filled with nothing but hatred, as if he wished he could tear him apart.


    But in the end, he turned away. He supported his grandfather, whose back seemed more bent than usual, and—just like Sharon and Josie earlier—they walked out in defeat.


    The door closed again.


    As soon as it shut, Ste’s legs gave out. She dropped onto the cold marble floor, burying her face against it as a strangled sound escaped her.


    She couldn’t hold back anymore. Her breaths came fast and uneven, tears spilling nonstop.


    Her world felt like it had copsed into darkness, and now she was stuck here with him—William, the man who had dragged her into this nightmare—with no idea when it would end.


    William stood over her, staring at her curled-up form with a cold, detached expression.


    He had gotten exactly what he wanted. He had broken every bit of resistance she had left and trapped her where he wanted her to be.


    He stepped closer, brows tightening as he looked down at her. “Remember what you chose today,” he said, his voice sharp and icy. “From now on, unless I say otherwise, you stay by my side. Always.”


    Ste’s body shook at his words.


    She had cried until her eyes were swollen and painful. Each tear that slid down her cheeks stung like it scorched her skin. But she still wouldn’t look at him. She kept her gaze fixed on the floor and stayed silent.


    William didn’t try tofort her. He simply left the room.


    Half an hourter, he returned.


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    She hadn’t moved at all, still crouched in the same spot on the cold floor.


    He dropped a set of clothes in front of her. “Put these on,” he said. “And throw away that rag you’re wearing.”


    He’d had enough of seeing her in the wedding dress. If the new clothes had arrived earlier, he wouldn’t have allowed her to keep wearing the gown that represented her life with Marc.


    Ste sniffed, her voice hoarse. “I don’t want it.”


    She didn’t want anything that came from him.


    William let out a short, coldugh at her stubbornness. “You don’t have to take it,” he said. “But I’m not letting you keep that dress. Either you wear this, or you take that off. Your choice.” He checked the time. “You’ve got five minutes.”


    Ste’s heart tightened again. It felt as if an unseen hand pressed cold fingers against her chest. He kept steering her toward choices that never truly belonged to her.


    In truth, every option looked real yet felt hollow. He had already set the path long before she could speak. When her decision failed to match his wants, he cornered her with threats that clung to her like smoke.


    Feeling helpless, she rose with reluctance and walked to the bathroom. She showered quickly and changed into the loungewear William had handed to her.


    When she stepped out, he was no longer inside the room. She released a weak breath of relief. Her chest still carried a heavy ache.


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