Ste woke up at 10 p.m., ravenous, her sleep shattered by hunger.


    The booze from earlier had worn off, and as she blinked her eyes open, she was hit by an intense thirst.


    The room was empty except for her. She got up, swung her legs off the bed, and had only taken a few steps when she heard Ronald''s voiceing from the balcony. His tone was low and dangerous as he spoke into his phone. "Take care of it."


    Even muffled by distance, the chill in his voice pierced through Ste, hinting at a peril she was all too familiar with. After all, she knew the kind of murky waters the Quinn family navigated, and with Ronald also being the heir to the Lugar family, danger was part of his inheritance.


    Lost in thought, Ste barely noticed when Ronald slid the ss door open and stepped inside. The dim light revealed a brief sh of demon and saint in his eyes before they softened upon seeing Ste.


    "Awake, sleepyhead?" His voice had lost its earlier edge, now filled with a gentle warmth as he reached out to touch her cheek, checking for a fever that had since passed.


    Still groggy, Ste instinctively wrapped her arms around Ronald''s lean waist.


    "Ronald," she mumbled, her voiceced with difort.


    "Hmm?"


    "I''m so thirsty... and hungry," sheined. The alcohol had left her feeling awful,pounded by not eating since lunch.


    Ronald stroked her hair gently. "Let''s get you something to eat."


    "I want a cheeseburger, fries, and maybe some fried chicken," Ste said, her specific cravings surprising even her. Ronald chuckled. "Alright."


    He turned on the light fully, fetched a thick jacket for her, and zipped it up.


    "It''s gonna snow tomorrow," he mentioned casually as he dressed for the cold.


    "Really? That''s amazing! I love the snow."


    Ronald''s ck coat draped over him, blending warmth and darkness seamlessly.


    Ste stared, momentarily lost.


    "What''s up?" Ronald caught her gaze, a yful smirk on his lips.


    "Nothing, just... Did you hurt your lip?"


    Suddenly noticing that Ronald seemed to have a wound on his mouth, Ste stepped forward and reached out to touch it. Ronald''s grip tightened on her wrist. "Don''t touch."


    Ste couldn''t help but tease, "What happened? Got into a fight over a girl?"


    The question hung heavily between


    them, Ronald''s face stiffening at the insinuation, while Ste immediately regretted her words.  en..


    Could Ronald actually be seeing someone?


    The thought sent a pang of jealousy through her, her breath shaky.


    Ronald''s response was a flick on her forehead. "What are you even talking about?"


    "Did I... say something wrong?" Ste''s voice wavered, regret evident. "Come on, let''s go eat."


    Without waiting for his answer, she linked her arm through his, eager to escape the tension. Perhaps she didn''t dare to hear his answer.


    Ronald nced down at her, sensing her sadness.


    BUMS


    As they walked, Ste''s attempt to hold back tears failed miserably.


    "Why the waterworks now?" Ronald''s voice was gentle, teasing even as he lifted her chin to meet his gaze. "I''m not... It''s nothing!" Ste protested.


    She didn''t dare to say it. But she just


    it.


    help it. The moments


    her mouth, her voice.


    filled with emotion. Content Belongs