?Chapter 1322:


    Ste paused, her fingers tightening slightly around her coffee cup. Her gaze dropped. “No,” she said, voice barely above a whisper.


    Sharon bit back a curse. Of course that bastard hadn’t.


    She leaned in. “So what now? Are you really gonna stay with William forever?”


    A shadow passed across Ste’s face. That bitterness again. Even if she didn’t want to stay, what choice did she have? The Briggs family’s grip on Choria was tight. William had power in ces even Lance and her grandfather couldn’t touch. She had no leverage. No escape route.


    Sharon could feel her retreating, pulling inward again. She didn’t let it slide.


    “Stel,” she said, lowering her voice, “just tell me. Do you want to leave him? Yes or no. If you do, I’ll take you away. Today. Right now. We’ll disappear—go abroad, or somewhere quiet, off the grid. He won’t find us.”


    Her words were steady. Real. Not a bluff.


    It was a reckless promise, and she meant every word. She seemed ready to take on William himself, if it meant keeping Ste safe.


    Ste stared at her. A wave of warmth and guilt swept over her all at once.


    She wanted to say yes. She really wanted to say yes.


    Leaving William was what she wanted most at the moment. But then—William’s face shed in her mind. That cold, t stare.


    The threat behind it.


    And her promise—she wouldn’t run.


    If she broke that promise, others would pay. Sharon. The Carters. People she loved.


    And worse—if William had been right about Marc…


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    If even half of what he said was true, where else could she go?


    Her fear drowned out every other thought.AdChoicesADVERTISING


    She lowered hershes, her voice barely audible. “No need.”


    Sharon stared at her. Disappointment hit fast and sharp. She grabbed Ste’s hand—it was ice cold. “Why?” Sharon asked, voice cracking. “Don’t you want to leave? Stel, look at yourself. Your eyes are so swollen. You’ve been crying nonstop.”


    Even when she left Marc, Ste hadn’t looked this broken.


    Ste forced a smile. Thin. Shaky. “Thank you, Sharon. I’m fine. Really. Let’s just… keep shopping.”


    She stood and walked out of the cafe, almost as if fleeing.


    Sharon stayed frozen for a second, watching her go. Her heart twisted as she stared at Ste’s frail back—shoulders hunched, steps too fast, like she was trying not to fall apart.


    She clenched her fists, then surged after her.


    “Stel, wait!”AdChoicesADVERTISING


    She caught up and grabbed Ste’s wrist—not hard, just firm.


    “Look at me,” Sharon said, her voice low but clear. “Tell me the truth.”


    Her eyes searched Ste’s face, no judgment—just fierce loyalty. “Did he threaten you again? Is he using the Carter family? Is he using us?”


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