Chapter 1290:


    Luca had been trying to dig into what happened during that month William disappeared, but so far? Nothing. Like someone had scrubbed the whole timeline clean.


    He checked in with Steven every day. Shared clues. Compared leads. Still nothing.


    At this rate, they could spend the rest of their lives searching ande up empty.


    But if they gave up… then what?


    Luca thought about asking William directly.


    Thought better of it immediately. The look on his face right now? That wasn’t someone ready to talk.


    On the desk, theputer screen flickered. William’s gaze was locked on the live feed. Ste was curled up in the corner of her room again, barely moving, her shoulders trembling.


    She’d told him he’d never be happy. That he’d spend his life alone.


    He clenched his jaw.


    She thought she could just curse him like that? Fine.


    If he fell into hell, he would drag her down with him. Forever.


    His voice dropped, low and sharp. “The afternoon meeting stays as scheduled. And I want all the first drafts from the other teams on my desk before the end of the day.”


    Luca held back a sigh. Another “bloodbath” iing.


    Night settled in, thick and quiet. The vi on the outskirts looked more like a forgotten relic than a home—shrouded in darkness, isted from the world.


    Inside, Ste sat on the edge of the bed, arms wrapped around her knees. She hadn’t eaten. Not even a sip of water. Her body was fading, her spirit even more so.


    She didn’t cry anymore. That part of her was already used up.


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    Now, there was only the ache. And the quiet.


    Like she was stuck inside her own body, unable to get out.


    Footsteps echoed in the hallway. Not the maid. Not William. It was Luca.


    He knocked once, then pushed open the door. She hadn’t locked it. Probably hadn’t even thought to.


    Luca stepped inside with arge, carefully wrapped gift box in his arms. He paused, his expression tight, unreadable.


    By the window, Ste sat curled up, motionless. Her face was ghostly pale. The spark that used to light up her eyes was long gone—reced by a kind of quiet vacancy that made something in his chest twist.


    He didn’t know how it had gotten this bad. Or maybe he did, but knowing didn’t make it any easier to watch.


    As William’s assistant, he had his orders. That was the line. That was the job. But watching her like this, he felt the weight of it pressing harder than usual.


    He looked at her a beat longer, then lowered his gaze.


    He had known her long enough to know she cared about William. She loved him. If not for the memory loss… she wouldn’t have gone back to Marc. Of that, he was certain.


    But now, they were stuck. Caught in this twisted knot of hurt and silence.


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