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Chapter 11: Penance III

Penulis: Ivy Walters
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-11-05 21:05:06

Steven POV.

Guilt surged through me at his question.

"Of course not, why would I avoid you?" I lied, trying to sound carefree.

His gaze said he wasn't buying my lie.

In the real sense, he'd done nothing wrong to me. To be honest, all he did was help me when I was in distress, first with my car and then with my attackers.

He didn't deserve to be cut off by me. But what was I to do when my emotions were in turmoil because of him?

“You blocked my number, Steven," he went on, his eyes accusing.

“That was—” I paused. “Necessary.”

“For what?”

“For clarity."

He exhaled slowly, studying me. “And did you find it?”

I met his gaze for a heartbeat too long. “I’m working on it.”

Something flickered in his eyes. Not anger, but understanding that cut deeper.

He nodded once and went back to sorting files, his jaw tight.

Later, during the evening meal, we sat at the same table helping some of the residents eat. An elderly woman named Mrs. Ellis kept smiling at us.

“You two look good together,” she
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