LOGINStefan didn't argue after hearing that. He simply smiled bitterly."You're right. I'm a coward. I'm used to calculating risks and consequences down to the smallest detail. The dynamic Renee and I have right now is the optimal solution after all my calculations. I just don't dare take another risk."More than anyone else, he knew he had never truly let go of Renee. That was why his pain felt a hundred times clearer than anyone else's.When his emotions surged, he sometimes had the reckless thought that nothing else mattered as long as he could be with her. But that thought usually only lasted for a moment. The instant he lowered his head, logic would take over.Even he didn't know whether that kind of restraint meant he didn't love her or that he loved her too much."Fine. Keep messing things up then. One day when she really runs off with someone else, I won't feel the slightest bit sorry for you. I'll be beating drums and setting off fireworks to celebrate that she finally found s
Stefan sat by the campfire. He nudged a small cluster of flames with a stick. His gaze grew distant as he fell into thought. "Letting her misunderstand me isn't such a bad thing. I'm not exactly a good man anyway. It's much easier for her to hate me than to love me."Although the two of them could now set the past aside and get along peacefully, he knew very well that some feelings were like the sparks flickering in front of him. Give them the slightest chance, and they would flare back into a raging fire.When they burned, the ending would only be destruction.He had worked hard to play the role of the villain perfectly. If he stopped now, all of that effort would be wasted."I don't get you. I seriously don't get you. Sometimes you make me so mad."Xavier plopped down beside Stefan. He grabbed a burning stick from the fire and waved it around irritably."You obviously love her. So why do you keep hurting her? Are you mentally unstable or something?""I never wanted to hurt h
Stefan avoided Renee's gaze. He clenched his fists a little. "I'm not obligated to answer that question."There was nothing going on between him and Briar, but it was true that he had once used Briar to make Renee give up on him.If he explained things too clearly now, all the lies he had told before would fall apart.Given the situation, he had no desire to see the carefully constructed lies he built get exposed. It wouldn't benefit either of them."Well, there you go." Renee spread her hands. "You're not obligated to tell me, and I'm not obligated to tell you."Stefan fell silent.She was right. He no longer had any standing to demand honesty from Renee. Otherwise, it would make him look like a complete hypocrite."I lost. I'll drink."After saying that, Renee picked up a glass and poured the alcohol straight down her throat. Her eyes were full of bitterness.Leia understood Renee's relationship situation better than anyone. She knew Renee shouldn't have to drink that glass,
Leia didn't even need to explain. Everyone present knew that the only man Renee had ever truly been in a relationship with was Stefan.That meant she was technically a winner in this round too.What no one understood was why she'd deliberately claimed she had more than one relationship. Why did she want to turn herself into a loser instead?"You have no idea. I've had more than one relationship. Quite a few, actually. They were just never made known to the public."Even when Leia was trying to defend her, Renee still emphasized that she had more than one relationship.The men exchanged glances. They all seemed very intrigued.Xavier and Steve were fully in spectator mode. Clearly, they hoped Renee would elaborate.Jovan had an amused expression. He was absolutely certain Renee couldn't possibly have had quite a few relationships.If she truly had, he would've been one of them already.Only Stefan seemed to take it seriously. His expression turned cold, and he frowned hard."I
"Not even once? You've got to be kidding me!"Xavier practically jumped to his feet in shock.That revelation was like dropping a torpedo into the lake. It exploded on impact.In everyone's eyes, Jovan was the classic heartthrob. He was lucky in love, smooth with words, and effortlessly charming. Besides, he wasn't exactly young anymore. How could he possibly have zero relationship experience?"What's there to joke about?" Jovan shrugged helplessly. "Do you really think it's a good thing, being my age and never having had a single relationship? Never experiencing the sweetness of love?"He truly sounded resigned.His heart had always brimmed with emotions, and yet he had never once tasted the sweetness of love. The only thing that lingered over the years was that faint bitterness of wanting and never having."That's actually true." Xavier nodded in agreement.Sure, he lost the round, but comparatively speaking, Jovan seemed worse off."Didn't see that coming. You're actually s
As expected, everyone obediently picked up their drinks and gulped it all down.Next, the bottle was spun again and stopped right in front of Leia.Leia clenched her fist. It was obvious she wanted to mess with Xavier a little. After thinking hard for a moment, she suddenly had an idea. "I've never been in more than three relationships."The moment the words left her mouth, both Stefan and Steve raised their hands almost immediately.No one doubted Steve. He and his wife had always been seen as the model couple. Rumor had it they went from campus sweethearts to wedding vows.Whether he'd had anything on the side privately was another matter, but publicly, he'd only ever had one relationship. Technically, he wasn't lying.When it came to Stefan, however, Leia looked skeptical. She narrowed her eyes and began interrogating him."Stefan, you've got to be kidding me. You're telling me you haven't had more than three relationships?"Everyone knew Stefan had a flawless face, endless
"Yeah, you understand, right? A broken heart isn't easy to mend—even if it was fixed, there'd still be cracks…" Renee said softly as her beautiful eyes teared up. She held her head up high, not wanting to let her tears fall. She refused to cry over that man again, especially when so many years had p
"Hmph, you crafty, conniving man!"Renee could not even guess what Haze was scheming right now, and she was no longer in the mood to skirt around the subject, so she told him point-blank, "Just tell me what you want. If it's something that's within my power, then I'll try my best to do anything you l
"No way!"Little Aiden wanted to provoke Stefan, so he went in for the kill. "Mommy already hates you so much. She doesn't even bother to talk about you. You've done so many horrible things. We'll find out. All we need to do is look into it."Renee was embarrassed. She was a little worried about Stefa
Renee was clearly hinting at something. Seraphina wasn't stupid, so she saw what Renee was implying right away. "I know things were difficult when you and Stef split. You had been banished from the Hunts and had nowhere to go." Seraphina let down her guard and sympathized with Renee."When it comes







