?Chapter 1481:


    Somewhere in his chest, a darker feeling stirred. The sense that she recoiled from his touch only fed it.


    “Keep the door open,” he said. “If I discover it’s locked, you’ll have to find somewhere else to sleep.”


    She was too drained to argue. She simply turned away and went back to bed.


    If he didn’t want the door locked, fine. She pulled the nket over her head instead.


    Her quiet defiance didn’t ease him. It made the room feel tighter, heavier.


    He wasn’t sure what he wanted anymore.


    Her obedience never satisfied him, yet her resistance only made things worse.


    Tasha lingered for a moment, watching the exchange. Then she sighed softly and went downstairs.


    There was nothing she could do anyway. Staying would only make things more awkward.


    William returned to the study.


    Ste sensed the presence at the door had vanished and was about to breathe a sigh of relief when she heard steady footsteps again.


    The door opened. William came in and closed it behind him.


    Ste’s shoulders tensed as the light snapped on. He pulled the nket back, exposing her face. “What is eating you up?”


    The question caught her off guard. He had never asked her that before.


    She pressed her lips together and stayed silent.


    His patience finally snapped, the edge in his voice turning cold. “Do you think I took something that should’ve been Marc’s? Are you trying to keep yourself for him?”


    That name snapped something in her.


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    Ste sat up sharply and looked at him. “This has nothing to do with Marc,” she said. “This is my body. You ignored what I wanted and forced yourself on me, even though you don’t love me. You don’t even like me.”


    That kind of intimacy should only happen when both people actually care.


    How could he do that to her while hating her the whole time?


    William froze at her sudden usations. Just for a second, something in his chest skipped out of rhythm.


    He didn’t like her. He didn’t love her. That was what he’d always told himself.


    His hand curled, then slowly loosened. When he spoke, his voice was stripped of warmth, almost mechanical. “Don’t forget why you’re here, Ste. You came to atone. What I do isn’t up for discussion. Your only role is to endure it until I’m finished.”


    He turned to leave.


    “When?” Ste asked, her voice quiet but steady. “How long are you going to keep this up? When will you finally let me go?”


    Sharon had been right. So had the others.


    Sneaking around, stealing documents and waiting for outside forces to act was dragging out too long.


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