?Chapter 1541:


    A look passed silently between Josie and Sharon, both of them wearing expressions filled withplicated feeling. Seeing Ste like this made their hearts ache. It had always seemed as though her life was never meant to turn out this way.


    In their memory, Ste had always lived without restraints. Even during the years of her marriage to Marc, she had managed to find her footing again not long after it ended. Whether immersed in research or running a business, she had always been working toward her own ambitions. Now, William had reduced her to something fragile and confined, needing his approval just to step beyond the door.


    After a brief pause, Sharon lifted her hand with sudden enthusiasm. “Forget all of that. Getting out at all is already a win. We are going shopping and eating out today. We are going to rx properly and leave everything unpleasant behind.”


    Josie offered no further objections. She changed her clothes and joined Sharon as the two of them swept Ste off to the mall.


    The whole day passed in a wee haze of ease. Ste had never been particrly fond of shopping, but standing in the crowded mall and watching peoplee and go, she felt a vivid sense of life slowly return to her. By noon, Sharon led them to a newly opened restaurant, and after lunch they made their way to an indoor archery range. Sharon told Ste to picture William as the target. Ste sent arrow after arrow straight ahead.


    Once the weight she had been holding inside finally lifted, the heavy gloom that had lingered over her for so long faded by a noticeable degree. As they prepared to leave, the owner of the range stepped forward, praised Ste for her natural ability, and handed her aplimentary voucher for her next visit.


    The three of them walked out side by side. Inside the elevator on the way down, Sharon turned to her with a serious expression. “Stel, forgive me for bringing this up again, but do you really not want to—”


    For a long while, Ste said nothing. Then, just as she had every time before, she slowly shook her head. That decision was not going to change. She had never chosen to run away in the past, and she would not choose that path now.


    Even so, she knew that Sharon and Josie were only acting out of care. Her voice grew gentle. “Sharon, Josie — I appreciate it.” A deep sense of gratitude rose in her eyes. Had she not been lucky enough to have friends like them, her life would surely have been darker than it already was.


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