?Chapter 1492:


    When Marc had spat out those final words, one singr thought had zed through William’s mind: kill him.


    Marc’s death would solve everything. All these tangled, impossible problems would simply cease to exist.


    He could keep Ste locked away for the rest of her life if he had to. It wasn’t an impossible scenario.


    The thought struck like lightning—sudden, violent, terrifying. It shocked him how easily murder had crossed his mind.


    He wrestled down the rage wing at his throat and forced his legs to carry him out of the bar.


    Marc sprawled on the ground for several minutes, groaning and gasping. Eventually, he dragged himself upright, one hand clutching his throbbing knee as he limped toward the door.


    Watching William lose hisposure, watching him crumble—God, the satisfaction was intoxicating. Marc felt practically giddy.


    Even the loss of the partnership with Mr. Hanson seemed trivial inparison.


    Back at the vi, Ste sank into the cushions of a deep armchair.


    Jewell took a seat nearby. His voice then washed over her, low and soothing, guiding her to imagine a sun-drenched beach. Waves rolled in the distance.


    Jewell hadn’t studied psychology in college—his degree was in something else entirely—so hypnotizing Ste today felt like stepping into unfamiliar territory.


    Still, he’d approached the session with measured hope.


    Within minutes, Ste’s breathing evened out—slow, deep, tranquil.


    Jewell leaned forward slightly. “You’re in this beautiful ce now. Someone walks toward you, wanting to share the view. Who do you hope it is? Marc? William? Maybe someone else entirely?”


    Ste’s brows drew together. She seemed to wrestle with the question, turning it over in her subconscious.


    When she finally spoke, her voice was soft and distant. “Sharon and Josie. I want them there. They’re my best friends.”


    Jewell blinked. He hadn’t expected that.


    He’d guessed she wouldn’t name William—that much was predictable. But her friends?


    He guided her through several more questions, probing gently. Her answers remained surface-level, unremarkable.


    First sessions needed to stay brief—pushing too hard could backfire.


    After ten minutes, Jewell brought her back.


    Ste’s eyes fluttered open. She sat up immediately, words tumbling out. “Did it work? Did I say anything? Anything at all about those two years?”


    Something had shifted in her. Where she’d once fought against remembering, now she felt an almost desperate curiosity about those nk years.


    She needed to know what lies Marc had fed her.


    Jewell watched the anxiety bloom across her face and couldn’t help but smile. “Easy there. The first session isn’t about digging for answers. Today was about building trust, getting youfortable. The real work starts next time.”


    The tight knot in Ste’s shoulders loosened slightly. “Was I easy to hypnotize?”


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