?Chapter 1386:


    William looked down. A flicker of doubt crossed his face, but he didn’t say a word.


    Jewell took that as a sign to keep going. “You still care about her. Anyone can see that. So why not help her recover her memory? It’ll help clear things up.”


    William blinked.


    The thought hadn’t even urred to him. Ste recovering her memory?


    What would that even change?


    “Come on,” Jewell pushed gently. “I’m saying this as your friend. You look like a man carrying boulders around in your chest. Talk to her. Be honest. Give each other that chance.”


    The words hit a little too close. William didn’t respond.


    Jewell patted his good shoulder and stood. “Just don’t let things end in regret.”


    Then he left, letting the quiet settle again.


    Downstairs, Ste had finally managed to pull herself together. When she saw Jewelling down, she stood up quickly. “How is he?”


    “He’ll live. Keep the wound dry, change the dressing. Make sure he sticks to that.”


    Relieved to hear William was okay, Ste exhaled softly.


    But when Jewell suggested she be the one to tend to his wound, she hesitated.


    After what she’d done—after stabbing him—how could she face him again? He probably hated her guts. The fact that she was unharmed was already a miracle. And now she was supposed to walk in there and… what, tell him to change his bandage?


    She stood there, conflicted.


    Jewell didn’t rush to leave. He’d just finished talking William down from the edge. Now it was her turn.


    Jewell sank into the couch and motioned for her to sit. “Might as well do a checkup.”


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    Ste didn’t argue. She returned to her seat.


    As he pulled out his stethoscope, Jewell asked lightly, “So… what exactly happened between you two today?”


    Ste flinched. Just a twitch, but it was there. Her fingers curled into the edge of her dress.


    Jewell reached over and wrapped her cold hand in his. “Hey. It’s alright. I’m not here to scold you. I just want to understand.”


    She hesitated, lips pressing together before the words finally slipped out in a quiet voice. “I was kidnapped by Amon. William came and rescued me. But afterward, he got angry—something I said must’ve triggered him. I didn’t mean to hurt him, I just… I panicked. Everything happened so fast…”


    Her voice trailed off, lost in the mess of today’s chaos. From the kidnapping to the car… she’d barely had time to breathe, let alone think straight.


    Jewell didn’t press further. One look at her rumpled clothes and shaken demeanor told him enough.


    “No one knows what William went through during that month he vanished,” he said gently. “But whatever it was, it changed him. And I know you don’t remember, but… this version of him? It’s not the man he used to be.”


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