?Chapter 1313:


    It was dressed up like concern, but it wasn’t. It was jealousy. She wished it was her being held here, being fussed over, being wanted so much he couldn’t let go.


    William’s brow twitched, just slightly, at the word “betrayal.”


    But his voice stayed level, his gaze like ice. “That’s my business.”


    “But what about Arlo?” Nina pressed, her voice picking up speed, worry bleeding through. “He told you to bring her to him. You’re just going to ignore that? If he finds out you’ve kept her…”


    William’s eyes darkened.


    He cut her off, voice low and hard. “Nina. I’ll say it one more time. Stay out of my business.”


    Arlo wanted Ste, but did that mean he had toply? William never took orders from anyone. And threats? Even less so.


    His stare pierced through her, seeing past every word she’d just said. “For your own sake, don’t meddle.”


    The words hit harder than she expected. Like being shoved back after reaching out with everything she had. He saw her efforts as interference. Like everything she’d done… meant nothing.


    The knot of frustration and humiliation that had been building inside her for so long finally snapped.


    Her voice cracked, hands clenched at her sides. “Is that all I am to you?” she asked. “Just someone meddling?”


    She stepped closer, face flushing with emotion. “I’ve done everything for you. Doesn’t that matter? You know I just wanted to make you happy.”


    He was clearly not happy. And it hurt her to watch.


    William didn’t answer.


    Your favorite stories are on g?lnσνe??s?c?m


    Nina stared at him, eyes glistening, herst bit of pride slipping away.


    She’d tried everything—schemes, patience, loyalty. But nothing had ever been enough to make him look at her the way he looked at Ste. And now, standing in front of him,pletely exposed, she made her final move.


    “I’ve loved you, William. For so long. Everything I’ve done was for you—to get close to you, to make you see me. Why is it always her? What’s so special about her? She betrayed you, didn’t she? You hate her now, but you still keep her here. Still want her near you. Why?”


    Her chest heaved, the words hanging in the air. For the first time, she wasn’t hiding anything. No games. No filters. Just her truth,id bare and trembling.


    All she wanted was for him to say something—anything—that told her she hadn’t been wrong to hope.


    But what she got in return was t, final, and colder than anything she’d prepared for.


    William didn’t even flinch. He looked straight at Nina’s tear-streaked face with the kind of expressionless calm that made it worse—worse than yelling, worse than silence. There was nothing there. No anger. No pity. Just… annoyance.


    “You’ve said your piece,” he said tly. “Now leave.”


    Nina blinked, stunned. That was it?


    Her mouth opened, something desperate on the tip of her tongue, but William stepped forward. The air shifted instantly. He didn’t raise his voice. Didn’t need to. His height alone loomed over her, sharp andmanding, the pressure of his presence pressing down like a wall.


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