LOGINStefan shrugged and gave no response to Quinton's question."You went through all that trouble to get her away from us just to talk privately. I doubt it was only for that same old topic."His gaze turned sharp.It really was an old topic.Everyone knew exactly what kind Stefan meant to Renee, so countless people had asked him the same question before.Even he didn't have an answer. In the end, the only thing he could blame everything on was fate.Maybe Renee owed him something in a past life, because in this one, it felt like she was tied to him completely. She was destined to spend her whole life repaying that debt."Sometimes, I wish her taste would change too. At the very least, I wish she wouldn't stay trapped with one person forever, especially someone who was never right for her. Someone who'll only bring her pain."As Stefan spoke, he lowered his cold gaze. He seemed deeply troubled.Some debts had nothing to do with right or wrong. Both he and Renee were innocent peop
Quinton's attitude instantly made the atmosphere tense.Instinctively, Renee stepped between the two men and demanded, "Quinton, what are you calling him out here for?""Why are you getting so worked up? I'm your brother, not your enemy. Are you really about to go to fight with me over him?"Quinton looked at Renee coldly. His tone was just as harsh.The two stood facing each other. It almost seemed like they were in a duel.Joanne, Abby, and Adie could sense something was wrong, too. They all held their breaths."Adie, Abby, it's bedtime. Let's head upstairs." Joanne didn't want the kids to witness the unpleasant scene, so she gently led them upstairs."Okay! Goodnight, Daddy. Goodnight, Mommy. Goodnight, Quinton. You guys should sleep early too. Don't fight!"Abby tried to play peacemaker, but in her mind, these three fighting was hardly anything new."Come on, Abby. They're old now. They can't fight anymore."Adie grabbed Abby's hand and said seriously.Stefan, Renee, and
As far as Renee was concerned, Stefan seriously had issues.Every now and then, he'd say things that completely threw her off and act like there was some blood feud between them. Whenever she tried pressing him for answers, he'd avoid the topic and change the subject. It drove her insane every single time.It happened again and again. It got to the point where they would always part in anger after getting into the same heated discussions.Each time that happened, she swore to herself she would never deal with him again. Yet every single time, the moment he got even slightly closer to her, she hopelessly fell right back into the same cycle.Honestly, she wasn't even angry at him anymore. She was angry at herself.The two of them stayed silent the entire drive back to Everheart Manor.But when they got home this time, Joanne, the kids, and even Quinton were all there.The group sat together on the living room couch watching a movie, and strangely enough, no one mentioned where t
"Well…"Renee hesitated for a moment. Seeing how well the kids and Margaret were getting along, she finally agreed. "Alright then. We'll leave quietly, just like in Farewell to Combridge. Quietly as we came."She and Stefan got back into the car. The moon in the sky up ahead did make this feel a little romantic.After everything that had happened that day, Renee was exhausted. Somehow, she ended up leaning against the window and falling asleep.She didn't know how much time had passed before she opened her eyes again and realized the car had stopped, but they weren't at Everheart Manor."Where are we?"She looked around and instantly tensed up."The beach," Stefan answered calmly."Oh. The beach."Oddly enough, the answer didn't surprise her at all. In fact, it felt reasonable. It was like she'd returned to where she truly belonged.She could hear the sound of rolling waves outside the car. With the window rolled down, the occasional gusts of ocean breeze somehow made her f
The two of them wasted no time and sped all the way to the small countryside house where Margaret was staying.After Renee revamped the area, far fewer strangers came seeking 'treatment,' so the place had become much quieter.Even before entering the yard, they could already hear the kids' cheerful laughter drifting from inside."Whew! Thank goodness!"Renee and Stefan looked at each other. Tears shimmered in Renee's eyes. They were tears of relief, the kind that came after unbearable tension suddenly melted away.Her two precious kids, along with Joanne, were safe after all."I told you those two little troublemakers are smart. They usually won't get themselves into real danger. Stop stressing yourself out so much in the future."Stefan slipped an arm around Renee's shoulders. His heart ached for how much she worried as a mother."Listen to you talking. Weren't you exactly the same? Whose face went pale and looked ready to blow up the entire planet?"Renee raised a brow and s
At such a close distance, it was as though they could feel each other's heartbeat through the thin fabric of their clothes. Their warm breaths mixed in the air, making the atmosphere not only intimate, but heated."Ahem! It's so hot in here!"Renee tugged at her shirt and tried to let in a bit of cool air. She had on a light blue dress that accentuated her figure so well it could easily make one's imagination run wild."I-I'll go turn on the AC."Stefan stood up. His voice was unnaturally hoarse.He wanted to slap himself twice. How could he let his thoughts wander at a time like this?"There's no need to. Finding the kids is more important. Let's figure out where they went first."Compared to him, Renee stayed much calmer. Aside from feeling a little awkward, all of her attention remained fixed on the surveillance footage.Eventually, she vaguely heard the kids discussing going to visit Margaret.In the video, Abby and Adie talked about how much they missed Margaret. Joanne i
The man looked completely serious."I'm sorry, I must've been possessed last night or something. I have no idea why I would do those things…" Renee's cheeks were still flushed. She didn't dare to look directly at Stefan. Her voice was soft. "If you don't mind, we can just pretend nothing ever happene
"You want to know about Madam Everheart?" Margaret asked, looking at Renee and sighing. "I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. I don't really know her either, and I've never met her properly.""Really?""Yes," Margaret replied as she took a trip down memory lane and answered honestly. "I grew up and was
Renee's lips curled up, but her expression was cold. In a moment, her heart froze into ice.She assumed that Stefan would never have to ask such a stupid question, but since he had actually blurted it out, it was clear that a vast chasm had opened up between them, forever separating them from each ot
After Renee left, Briar smiled satisfyingly.She carried the drunken Stefan and said to Francine, “Ms. Francine, I'll take Stefan to the room now. I believe my engagement to Stefan will be sealed soon after tonight.”Francine nodded. “Yes. We need to grab hold of the opportunity.”Although she wasn’t s







