?Chapter 1696:


    Something flickered across William’s features before he responded, his voice dropping lower. “This is between Ste and me. I need to speak with her privately.”


    Sharon let out a harshugh. Even now, this man had the audacity to act entitled. “William, Ste isn’t some ything you can abuse whenever the mood strikes you. Do you have any idea how dangerous it was for her to travel here alonest night with her suitcase? What if something had happened to her on the way? What if someone had attacked her? How could you be so heartless?”


    William’s face lost some of its color, but his resolve didn’t waver. “I need to see her.” Whatever he needed to say — whether an apology or an exnation — he needed to say it to Ste’s face, not filter it through Sharon or Josie.


    Sharon held his stare without flinching, her refusal absolute. “I’m not letting you anywhere near her. The best thing for Ste right now is to stay as far from you as possible. Who knows if you might suddenly have another episode?”


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    William’s mouth opened as though to protest, deep lines carving into his forehead.


    Josie, listening to Sharon’s blunt rejection, felt a flutter of nervousness. She tugged gently at Sharon’s sleeve and turned to William with a more measured tone. “She’s sleeping right now. She was up most of the night. You should leave ande backter. When she wakes up, I’ll let her know you stopped by.”


    Whether Ste chose to reach out or agree to see him would be entirely up to her. Josie wouldn’t push her one way or the other.


    William hesitated, his mind conjuring the image of how fragile Ste had looked, and finally gave a reluctant nod. “Alright.”


    He didn’t argue or throw his weight around, didn’t use his position or power to intimidate Sharon or Josie. Deep down, he knew they were right — his behavior the day before had been inexcusable. Without another word, he turned and walked away. Something about his retreating figure radiated profound loneliness.


    Sharon watched him go and released a heavy sigh. “If he was just going to destroy her with those awful usations yesterday, why bother showing up to apologize today?”


    Josie let out a soft, sadugh. “Try to think of him as someone who’s sick right now — someone who deserves a littlepassion.” She caught Sharon’s eye and added quietly, “It’s probably better that he left anyway. Ste’s not ready to see him yet. If they’d talked right now, it would have just devolved into another fight.”


    That afternoon, Ste finally emerged from the bedroom, her face still worryingly pale as she descended the stairs slowly.


    Earlier that morning, she had registered the distant sound of a car engine outside. Some part of her had known it was probably William, but she’d stayed in bed anyway — partly because she waspletely drained, but mostly because she still had no idea what she’d say to him if they came face to face.


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