bChapter /b74

Fiona stepped closer, frowning. “Where is Lionel going?”

Anna burst into tears, clinging to Fiona. “Mom, does Lionel even love me? Is he abandoning me toob?/b”

“How could that be, sweetie? bIsn’t /bLionel obsessed with you?”

“No!” Anna wailed, gripping Fiona’s arm. “He ran off to find Ste.”

Fiona’s face darkened. “Why would he seek out Steb?/b”

“The second Lionel heard Ste had married, he raced over. He never loved me. It’s always been Ste.”

“Don’t be silly, honey! How could that be? When Ste met Lionel, she was just a kid. Lionel always treated her like a sister. He’s likely just concerned she’s marrying a bad guy. He’lle back, and he still loves you.”

Anna’s sobs subsided, though doubt lingered in her eyes. “Really?”

“Sweetheart, you’re beautiful, a Quentiham University graduate. You’re the only match for Lionel. Ste could neverpete, and Lionel knows it.”

Anna considered this. True–even if the police proved Ste’s innocence, society still saw her as “damaged goods.” How could Lionel want someone like her?

Ste followed Jordan into his vi. The interiors felt strangely familiar. She turned to him, eyes narrowing, “This decor… It’s the exact style I once described to you, isn’t it?”

Jordan handed her bags to a maid, stepping closer. “Exactly as you’d imagined.”

Ste stared in disbelief. “You like my design concept?”

“Yeah. It’s warm. I love it.” His gaze swept the room–every detail mirrored Ste’s online descriptions.

Ste shed a yful grin and teased, “I’m starting to think you’ve liked me all along.”

Jordan said, “How could—”

Before he could finish, a maid rushed in. “Mr. Quinn is here. He demands to see Mrs. Erwin.”

“Lionel?” Jordan’s voice sharpened. “The one you constantly mentioned“?” Ste could’ve sworn she saw jealousy sh in his eyes. -but perhaps it was her imagination.

“Yes, but I won’t see him. Send him away.” Ste said and turned toward her room.

The maid said urgently, “Mrs. Erwin. Mr. Quinn insists he won’t leave buntil /byoue out. He’ll wait here as long as it takes.”

Ste said coolly, “Then let him wait.” Ste remainedpletely unmoved.

“Want me to go talk to him for you?” Jordan asked. Ste opened her mouth to refuse, but Jordan continued, “You’ll have to face, him eventually. Settle this now, and he’ll stop haunting you.”

“I’ll see him.” Resolve steeled her voice, Pivoting from the stairs, she marched toward the entrance.

Jordan caught her hand. “Let him in. I’ll be at your side.”

Ste nodded.

The maid led Lionel inside. Jordan and Ste sat on the sofa, his arm draped possessively around her. Neither rose.

Lionel remained rooted to the spot, his eyes burning into Ste.

Ste averted her gaze.

“Dr. Quinn, have a seat,” Jordan offered, tone icy.

Still

cats

Still staring at Ste, Lionel reluctantly took a seat to the side.

Jordan sank back into the cushions, exuding casual arrogance. “Dr. Quinn, is it proper to keep staring at imy /iwife like that?”

“What hold does he have over you? Ste, let me help you,” Lionel pressed, eyes locked on her.

A humorlessugh escaped Ste. “Lionel, the irony is priceless. You and the Hayes threatened me, framed me, nearly destroyed me–and now you paint Jordan the viin?”

“Ste, I know you still me me, but I really had no choice back then. I know I hurt you. No one regrets hurting you more than 1 do. Let me spend my life making amends.”

Ste fed on the day’s absurdity. “Make amends?” Herugh was razor–sharp. “If you meant it, you’d have canceled your engagement to Anna the day I returned and chosen me publicly.

“You didn’t. When they forced me toward Henry, your protests were theater. And don’t try to tell me you didn’t know they were trying to marry me off to Troy. Now that I’m Jordan’s wife, you panic and speak of amends? Lionel, where’s your dignity?”

“You can’t marry him!” Lionel urged, desperation fraying his words..

Ste leaned into Jordan. “What’s wrong with him? He’s the only one who ever helped me without strings.

“When Henry took me to Crescent Vi, Jordan saved me. You knew what Henry was–yet you did nothing.”

Ste red at Lionel. “And when Grandma begged you to search the hospital’s registry for my blood type, did you even try?”

Lionel was so stunned by her words. He couldn’t utter a single sound.

After a long silence, Lionel finally lifted his head and said, “Yes, I know I’ve failed you. I’m sorry. But I just can’t stand by and watch you marry him. He won’t treat you right.”

Ste snapped, “I know what you all think he is, but he treats you and mepletely differently. Lionel, I never even wanted to see you in the first ce–bthere’s /bnothing left to say between bus/bb./b”

Ste said coldly, “I only agreed to bsee /byou because he insisted. Now we’re done talking. Get out.”

Lionel pleaded desperately, “Ste, please, just this once–listen to me. He’s no good for you, I swear!” “That’s my business, not yours,” Ste retorted.”

145 THU, 31 Jul

G

Lionel stared at Ste. Ste’s frosty distance struck Lionel. The girl who once ran to him was gone, reced by a woman armored in thorns, striking back at the slightest touch.

Lionel knew every scar that forged her. He couldn’t let her leap into Jordan’s abyss. “Ste, just promise me you’ll divorce him right now. I’ll meet all your demands. I’ll call off my engagement with Anna and marry you.”

“Never.” Ste’s expression turned icy. “Your parents haven’t acknowledged me since my return. They’d never ept me as your

wife.

“Besides, my decision to marry Jordan wasn’t made lightly. I’ve thought it through very carefully. I told you before, didn’t? He’s a one–of–a–kind genius. I’m willing to be with him–I want to be with him.”

Lionel’s gaze remained fixed on her.

Jordan hated Lionel’s possessive stare. He drew Ste close, burying her face in his chest.