?Chapter 1554:


    If only Marc had never caused her pain.


    Ste closed her eyes. When she opened them again, determination had settled into her gaze. “We are done, Marc. It does not matter whether I loved you or what I may have forgotten. The moment I knew you lied to me, our future ended.”


    Panic seized Marc. He stepped closer, words spilling out in a rush. “No, Stel, you are misunderstanding this. I had my reasons. I love you. This has to be William — he influenced you, kept you locked away, messed with your head.” He spoke as though he was no longer sure who he was trying to convince.


    Ste’s face stayed cold. There was no trace of affection left in her eyes. “Go. I will pretend you never showed up today. From now on, my life has nothing to do with you.”


    She had waited for his call day after day, holding on to hope. Yet the call never came. It finally made sense why he had nevere looking for her after William took her away at the wedding. Long before that, their marriage had already been over, their lives no longer tied. That wedding had never truly belonged to her.


    “Stel, please stop. You do not even know what you want right now. Come with me — I will exin everything. We can make things the way they were,” Marc pleaded.


    Ste almostughed. Even now, he refused to take any responsibility.


    She faced him and spoke with careful rity. “I was not brainwashed. You did those things, did you not? Do you really dare deny it? I may not remember everything yet, but I know this: someone who truly loves me would never lie to me or manipte me.”


    Shock and panic filled his eyes. He had hesitated for so long, doubting Nina’s n again and again. Only two days ago had he finally resolved to take Ste away from Choria. And now, after finally standing before her again, he was hearing words he could not ept. Ste no longer wanted him.


    She turned her eyes away and stepped back, her voice distant. “Goodbye, Marc. Forever.”


    She did not wait to see the disbelief on his face. Turning sharply, she walked out of the alley without looking back.


    Taxis lined the street ahead. She raised her hand, and one stopped immediately. As she reached for the door, Marc’s voice rang out behind her.


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    “Stel — Ste, are you really going to let him keep you locked away for the rest of your life?”


    He stayed rooted in ce, unable to chase her, watching helplessly as she climbed in. The taxi pulled away fast, dust spiraling in its wake.


    Marc stood alone in the shadows, breathing hard, rejection burning behind his eyes. Everything had copsed. She knew the truth now. The realization filled him with dread.


    Time passed. Then his gaze slowly sharpened.


    No. He could not surrender yet. Ste was hisst chance to reverse everything. He had gone to great lengths to erase William from her heart, and fate had even granted him the gift of her forgetting those two years. He refused to let it all end here.


    Then a thought struck him, sparked by something she had said. Sharon. That woman had destroyed everything. If she had kept silent, his n would already beplete.


    His decision formed quickly. He would confront Sharon. As long as Ste had not recovered her memories and still trusted her, a single denial might be enough to cast doubt. Malice settled into his eyes. He smoothed his creased suit and walked away with purpose.


    Sharon and Josie had just finished their workout at the nearby gym. As they reached the vi entrance, someone rushed out and blocked their path.


    Marc stood before them, eyes zing. “Sharon.”


    Sharon startled, then recoiled in disgust the moment she recognized him. “Marc? What are you doing here? Move.”


    Josie’s frown was immediate and firm. “You do not belong here.”


    This was an upscale vi district. Marc could no longer afford even the smallest ce nearby.


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