?Chapter 1612:


    Realizing logic alone wouldn’t sway him, Ste softened her tone and tried another approach. “William, please calm down. Just listen to me—” She leaned toward him, but before she could say more, he shoved her away with such force that she nearly copsed onto the sofa.


    His voice cut through the air, sharp and trembling beneath the rage. “Ste, by interfering in these things, are you trying to prove that you love me — or are you trying to make me believe your lies all over again, just so you can betray me one more time someday?”


    His breathing grew uneven, bordering on frantic, and Ste understood immediately — those memories were wing their way back, tormenting him again. She shook her head quickly, panic creeping into her voice. “No, that’s not it. I’m not doing that. I never did.”


    But in that moment, nothing she said sounded truthful to William.


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    He seized her wrist roughly and dragged her upstairs before pushing her down onto the mattress. “You didn’t? Then do you remember what you said to me, just days before you left with Marc?”


    Ste’s breath faltered. Of course she remembered. Back then, she had insisted — sworn — that she had never once lied to him.


    The pain flickering in her eyes earned only a cold scoff from William as he leaned over her, his face devoid of warmth or restraint. This was the first time she had been this close to him since her memories returned. She tried to rx, tried to steady herself — but pain followed all the same. He was only releasing his turmoil, paying no attention to what she felt. The difort made her brows knit tightly, yet she made no sound, enduring it all in silence until it was over.


    She lifted her hand to his shoulders and held him gently. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “What I said back then wasn’t true. I’m truly sorry for hurting you.” Even as the one being hurt, she was the one apologizing.


    William’s turbulent emotions slowly subsided. Without another word, he pulled away and left the room, returning to his own.


    Stey still on the bed, her eyes empty and unfocused, before finally forcing herself back to awareness. She nced at her arm — thankfully, the wound hadn’t split open. Wrapping a towel around herself, she called Tasha upstairs. With her arm injured, she had no choice but to ask for help bathing.


    When Tasha saw the bruises scattered across Ste’s body, she understood immediately what had happened. Sympathy tightened her chest. “Ms. Russell… should I call Dr. Vance?”


    “No need.” Ste shook her head, embarrassment washing over her at the thought of involving Jewell in something like this. Besides,pared to the injury on her arm, this barely mattered.


    At the same time, William returned to his room and locked himself inside the bathroom. He slid down onto the floor and curled in on himself, his body shaking uncontrobly. Hot water poured over him, but he felt no warmth — only a deep, biting cold that seeped into his bones. Time dragged on, every second stretching painfully long.


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