?Chapter 1321:


    Sharon’s heart twisted. Turning sharply toward William, she shot him a furious re. “William, how long are you nning to keep her trapped here? She’s a human being, not your captive—you have no right to lock her up!”


    William answered with a frigid look, his tone t and merciless. “This is between her and me.”


    Sharon simmered with anger, but she knew arguing would lead nowhere. She breathed deeply, then turned back to Ste with a gentler voice. “Stel, look at yourself—your face is so pale. Staying shut in like this will only make you feel worse. Come out with me. Let’s walk around the mall, get you something you like, okay?”


    A glimmer of hope flickered in Ste’s eyes, but it vanished as quickly when she nced fearfully toward William.


    Surely, he wouldn’t actually let her go.


    William pretended not to notice the way Ste’s thoughts wavered across her face—the silent plea mixed with fear. His eyes shifted to Sharon, standing protectively like a furious mother hen, before he finally looked away.


    He knew precisely where Sharon’s weaknesses were. If she dared help Ste escape, he’d ensure she paid for it. And he knew Ste wouldn’t dare attempt it on her own.


    Maybe letting her breathe some fresh air would quiet the endless crying, which only aggravated him.


    “Be back early.” His voice remained cold, but his concession was clear—permission, however grudgingly given.


    Sharon let out a quiet sigh of relief, her smile soft as she reached down to pull Ste up. “Come on, Stel. Let’s get out of here.”


    Ste hadn’t actually expected William to let her leave. As Sharon helped her to her feet, her instinct kicked in—she nced at him. Their eyes met. Her heart skipped. She looked away fast.


    “I’lle back,” she said quietly. “Just… please don’t hurt anyone because of me.”


    g?lnσν????s, the heart of storytelling


    His threats still echoed in her memory—how he’d warned her, again and again, that if she tried to run, the people around her would pay the price. That fear hadn’t gone anywhere.


    William raised an eyebrow. She was smart.


    Outside the suffocating mansion, with the wind in her face and Sharon’s shy sports car zipping down the road, Ste felt something shift. Not fully safe. Not free. But lighter.


    Just breathing air that wasn’t his felt like a win.


    She didn’t kid herself—this wasn’t escape. William would never let her go so easily. But being in the world again, hearing the bustle of the streets, seeing familiar signs and people—it reminded her of who she used to be.


    Sharon took her to a mall they used to frequent, deliberately steering clear of anything heavy. She pulled Ste into stores, made her try on outfits she used to like, tossed casualments about handbags and overpriced shoes. Trying—gently—to draw her back to herself.


    And it worked. A little. Ste’s shoulders eased. Her eyes softened. Once or twice, she even smiled.


    After a couple of hours, they ducked into a small cafe near the esctors. Warm lighting, the quiet hum of conversation. Sharon waited until she saw the color return to Ste’s face before carefully nudging. “Hey,” she started, keeping it light, “has Marc… reached out at all?”


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