?Chapter 1704:


    This face — the one that resembled Ste’s — had caught William’s attention once. Why couldn’t it hold his attention permanently? If she looked enough like Ste to turn his head, why couldn’t she simply rece Ste altogether?


    Alisha touched her own face, murmuring to herself, “Ste, I deserve William just as much as you do. I love him every bit as much as you im to.”


    Meanwhile, on the other side of Choria, Ste remained at Sharon and Josie’s house with no intention of seeing William. She powered on her phone — which had been off since the previous night — and found her inbox flooded with messages from an unknown number. She recognized William’s number immediately.


    He had sent this many messages?


    Surprise rippled through her as she began opening them one by one.


    “What I saidst night — I didn’t mean any of it.”


    “I never wanted to hurt you like that.”


    “Are you reading these? If you are, please answer me… please.”


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    The raw desperation threading through his words made something twist painfully in Ste’s chest. She couldn’t remember thest time William had humbled himself like this. She set the phone face-down on the table, still unwilling to respond.


    “William’s been messaging you again?” Sharon asked as she approached with a te of sliced fruit, having caught Ste’s movements from across the room.


    Ste gave a small nod but didn’t borate.


    Josie descended the stairs from the second floor. “Stel, if you’re not ready to see him, don’t push yourself.” William needed to face the consequences of his behavior. When Ste had lost her memories, he certainly hadn’t shown her any mercy.


    Ste nodded slowly. “I know. Seeing him right now wouldn’t help either of us.” She had told him they needed time to cool off, and she had meant every word. Rushing back too soon would only perpetuate the cycle.


    Sharon sat down beside her and took Ste’s hand. “Then don’t see him. I’m behind you one hundred percent. Honestly, he’s been worse than Marc ever was. It’s infuriating!”


    A bitter smile touched Ste’s lips. She understood Sharon was just being protective, so she let theparison pass withoutment.


    Afternoon crept in. Ste had spent the entire morning motionless on the sofa, doing nothing but staring nkly out the window at the changing sky. Sharon decided this couldn’t continue.


    “Stel, let’s go out tonight. There’s this new bar that just opened — great atmosphere, young crowd, good energy. Let’s go blow off some steam!”


    Ste was taken aback, instinctively wanting to refuse. But even Josie — who normally preferred quiet nights in — joined the campaign. “Come on, just for a change of scenery. If you hate it once we get there, we’ll leave immediately.”


    Ste had been ready to decline, but when she looked at the genuine concern written across both her friends’ faces, she found herself nodding instead. Maybe Sharon had a point. She desperately needed to dpress. She had no idea how long she had been carrying this weight. A different environment might actually help.


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