?Chapter 1363:


    Ste stayed quiet for a long moment before answering softly, “If those memories are gone, maybe they were meant to be. If theye back someday, they’lle back. I don’t want to force anything.”


    Jewell hadn’t expected that response. Most people clung to forgotten pieces of their past. She seemed almost resigned.


    As they walked toward the parking lot, he spoke again, his tone casual. “Your life is in your hands, not fate’s. Aren’t you curious how those missing memories might affect you? Or…” He nced at her. “Are you just afraid?”


    Her heart dipped. He’d hit too close.


    She was afraid. Afraid that remembering everything would shatter whatever fragile bnce she had now.


    William imed Marc had betrayed her. He’d told her things she couldn’t imagine herself living through.


    If she remembered it all, would she be able to live with it?


    She didn’t answer. She sat quietly in the passenger seat, thoughts spinning.


    Jewell reached over and gave her shoulder a gentle pat. “No pressure. I was only offering. If you’re not ready, I won’t push you.”


    His tone stayed warm, but his words left her unsettled.


    He was just about to start the engine when a sudden knock hit the passenger window. Ste flinched and turned.


    Sharon was standing outside, leaning in and knocking harder. “Stel? What are you doing here?”


    Jewell, not recognizing her, shot Ste a confused look. “A friend of yours?”


    Ste nodded. “Dr. Vance, could you give me a few minutes?”


    Your next chapter awaits g?lnσν??ls?c?m


    Jewell checked the time. They were well within schedule. They could reach the vi in less than thirty minutes. “Go ahead,” he said. “If you don’t, she might think I’m a trafficker.”


    Sharon’s re at him could have cut metal. It was probably the first time he’d ever looked genuinely startled by a woman.


    Feeling a little flustered, Ste murmured a quick thank-you and stepped out of the car.


    Sharon grabbed her hand immediately and scanned her from head to toe. “Stel, are you okay? Who is he? Is he a bad guy?” She threw another murderous re toward Jewell.


    “You’ve got it wrong,” Ste said quickly. “He’s not a bad guy. He’s my doctor.”


    A doctor?


    Sharon froze. Her heart did a little flip. “Are you sick? Why didn’t you tell me? What’s wrong—where does it hurt?” Her voice brimmed with worry, and it wrapped around Ste like a warm nket.


    “It’s nothing serious. Just a bit of malnutrition. He’s… a friend of William’s.”


    Sharon had been softening a bit toward Jewell, but the second she heard that name, all her goodwill vanished. Her face hardened instantly.


    “Seriously? Your health is already messed up because of William, and now he’s sending a doctor over like some kind of saint? What a joke. If he actually gave a damn, he’d just let you go.”


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