?Chapter 1641:


    Once they settled into the dining room, Ste’s thoughts drifted back to herst conversation with Lance. She needed to get a blood sample from William somehow, but over the past several days she hadn’t been able toe up with a single viable way to collect it without making him suspicious.


    Throughout the meal, her brow remained creased with worry, and she couldn’t quite hide how distracted she felt.


    William’s gaze shifted toward her, his voice dropping to a low rumble. “What’s going through your head right now? Ste, don’t even think about trying anything foolish.”


    Ste jerked out of her thoughts and shook her head quickly. “No, you’ve got it wrong. I just think you should go to the hospital for aplete physical examination. It would be good for you. And if you don’t feelfortable with strangers, Jewell could handle everything instead.”


    William’s face darkened. “Ste, do you actually believe you have any right to tell me what to do?” Just because she had her memories back didn’t mean they could slip back into the way things used to be. He didn’t have the time or energy to rehash old history at the moment.


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    Ste looked at him steadily. “I understand that, but I’m worried about your health. Your bipr disorder needs to be monitored properly. This is for your own benefit — if you keep fighting it, you’re only going to make things worse for yourself.”


    Her tone stayed calm and measured, leaving William temporarily at a loss for how to counter her. Deep down, he knew she had a point. His bipr disorder required careful management, or it would interfere with everything he was trying to aplish.


    When dinner ended, Ste had hoped they might sit together on the sofa and watch something on TV. Instead, he grabbed his coat and headed for the door. She stood quickly. “You’re leaving again?”


    William threw her an icy look over his shoulder. “Why does that concern you?”


    His words sent a chill through her. All she could do was stand there and watch him disappear through the vi doors. He didn’t return for the rest of the night.


    The next morning, Ste stepped out of her bedroom with pronounced dark circles shadowing her eyes. The rumble of a car engine drifted up from below. She crossed to the balcony and looked down to see the familiar ck Bentley parked at the entrance.


    William climbed out of the vehicle, his posture rigid and controlled — but as he drew closer to the house, she could make out the telltale dark circles beneath his eyes. He must have gone another night without sleep.


    Taking a deep breath, Ste descended the stairs. She had called Jewell the previous evening and learned that William’s medical examination was scheduled for today. Seeing him so exhausted sent a pang of sympathy twisting through her chest. After a moment’s hesitation, she resolved to take him to the hospital first regardless. Getting that blood sample had toe first, no matter what.


    William stepped into the living room, and Ste immediately picked up on the faint, crisp scent of galbanum that clung to him.


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