Chapter 932

Chapter 932:
Deep down, he wanted to believe Stella had felt that same spark back then. That maybe, just maybe, he still held a little corner of her heart.
Stella gave him a playful blink. “Of course I remembered. But I didn’t know your name. Had to shove it to the back of my mind.”
William gave her hand a gentle squeeze, not the least bit upset.
After all, it had just been a brief moment between kids. The fact that she still remembered him at all—yeah, that was more than enough.
The sky had darkened now, stars flickering into place above them. A soft breeze drifted in, carrying a bite of evening chill. Without a word, William pulled her closer, wrapping her snugly in his coat.
“You cold? Let’s go inside,” he murmured, always looking out for her comfort.
Stella shook her head. “I’m fine. You’re the one recovering—you should be resting.”
She glanced up at him, half-smiling. He had no idea who was really the fragile one here.
She leaned into his chest, letting the steady beat of his heart lull her. It was warm there—safe, even. A comfort she hadn’t realized she’d been missing.
After a moment, she stood and reached out her hand. “Come on, let’s go in.”
William nodded, leaned down, and kissed the top of her head. Then he took her hand, and together they walked side by side into the house.
The villa glowed with warm, golden lights. And after everything they’d shared, the air between them felt softer now—thicker, sweeter. Like something had shifted.
Back in the master bedroom, Stella carefully helped him slip out of his coat. Then she stepped into the bathroom and returned with a hot washcloth, handing it to him so he could freshen up.
As she watched him, her eyes caught on his pale face. Her heart tugged, remembering the things he’d told her earlier about his tough times with the Briggs family.
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William had leaned back against the headboard, not in any hurry to move. Stella settled on the edge of the bed beside him, her fingers gently brushing the cuff of his pajama sleeve.
She hesitated for a beat, then spoke softly. “You said earlier your childhood with the Briggs family was… rough. What happened? Didn’t your grandpa treat you well?”
The easy smile on William’s face faded just a bit. Something darker flickered behind his eyes.
He went quiet for a moment, like he was sorting through dusty, painful memories. When he finally spoke, his voice was even, almost detached, like he was telling someone else’s story. “My parents died when I was a kid. Grandpa really did love me, but he was old by then. Tired. Work at the Briggs Group kept him buried, so he couldn’t keep tabs on everything. And Alonzo… well, he was a lot younger than my dad. Ambitious. Hungry. He saw me as a threat—something in his way. A roadblock to the top.”
William paused, eyes drifting toward nothing, lost in that heavy fog of the past. “The bullying? The way they treated me? That was normal. Just another Tuesday.”
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