?Chapter 1548:


    William had not realized how terrified of him she had be. He cleared his throat, his gaze drifting to the soft whorl of hair at the crown of her head, and spoke in a deliberately t tone.


    “Tasha mentioned you wanted a pet.”


    He kept his voice purposely casual — as though he were asking about the weather.


    Ste’s head snapped up. Her pupils contracted sharply, disbelief flooding her face. She stared at him as though she could not trust her own hearing.


    His expression remainedpletely impassive. He was not even looking at her — just absently brushing invisible specks from the tablecloth with his fingertips.


    Ste caught her bottom lip between her teeth, her voiceing out small and uncertain. “I — I was just thinking out loud. I know you would not agree. I was not seriously expecting to actually bring one home…”


    Her heart had begun racing involuntarily, every nerve stretched taut.


    “What do you want to get?” William cut off her rambling and finally lifted his eyes to meet hers. His dark gaze revealed nothing. “A cat or a dog?”


    Ste sat frozen in stunned silence, her eyes wide withplete incredulity. Was he actually asking her preference? Did that mean he was genuinely nning to get one for her?


    Joy welled up inside her chest so suddenly it took her breath away. An involuntary smile broke across her face. Images of a golden retriever bounding happily through green grass shed vividly through her mind. “A dog. I would like a dog.”


    The words had barely left her lips when reality crashed down on her. A dog would need walks — daily walks outside the vi grounds. Panic seized her immediately. “No — wait. A cat would be better, actually. Cats do not need walks, so I could stay here in the vi without causing any trouble.” She lowered her head again, her voice growing smaller as she chose the option that would not inconvenience him.


    Truthfully, the mere fact that he was willing to get her any pet at all was more than enough. As for which kind, she did not feel she had the right to make demands.


    William studied her downcast face, watching the way hershes cast shadows on her cheeks. He could see the light in her eyes flicker and die, quenched by her own doubt. Was she that frightened he might change his mind and withdraw the offer?


    He sat in silence for several long seconds, an inexplicable tightness constricting around his chest. Her constant self-effacement and endlesspromises grated on him far more than any outright defiance ever could. He had asked her what she wanted — so why did she insist on shrinking herself this way?


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    “Suit yourself.” The words came out more harshly than he intended. He pushed back from the table and strode out of the dining room, leaving Ste staring after him inplete, bewildered silence.


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