But at the same time, it felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.


    Better not to remember, she thought. If he did, how in the world would she exin it?


    Before Ste could respond, Ronald''s voice cut through the tension again. "Why are you all bundled up in that scarf?"


    As he spoke, he reached out almost instinctively to pull it off her.


    Ste panicked, clutching the scarf tightly. "Stop, I''m cold."


    With everything that had happened, her mind was in turmoil. She looked at Ronald again, trying to decipher the depths of his gaze, but her thoughts were muddled.


    "So, uh, since you''re up, maybe you should go back to your room?" she stammered, struggling to string together a coherent sentence.


    All she wanted was for Ronald to leave so she could clear up the chaos in the room. The tidying up she''d done earlier had been a rushed, panicked effort. If Ronald stayed any longer, he might start to pick up on something amiss. The thought made Ste''s head spin.


    "Could you please go back to your room?" she pleaded.


    Oh, for heaven''s sake, just leave already. Her heart couldn''t take much more of this.


    Ronald raised an eyebrow. "You seem to be in a hurry?"


    Ste was at a loss for words. Her patience was wearing thin, and it felt like Ronald was testing it further.


    "What hurry? What are you talking about? Isn''t it normal to be sleeping at this hour?"


    "Sleeping?"


    "Yes, I''m exhausted."


    She felt her defenses crumbling. Once they did, all that would be left was her guilt.


    Ste didn''t want to face Ronald any longer.


    Fortunately, Ronald didn''t push her. He nodded, got out of bed, and for a moment, Ste thought he was finally leaving.


    But then, he gently cradled her face, his handsome featuresing into focus. Ste''s breath hitched.


    Just as she instinctively closed her eyes, expecting... something else, Ronald''s gentle kissnded on her forehead instead. His low chuckle followed. "Why are you closing your eyes, huh?"


    Ste''s


    you


    G


    med red. "It''s just...


    when you''re so tired,


    I asleep standing up? That''s how I feel."


    Ronald''sughter was light. "Then you better get some sleep."


    Finally, he left.


    When the door closed behind him, Ste felt as if all her energy had been drained.


    Only then did she notice the cold sweat covering her back.


    First, it was the shock from Finley, and then Ronald.


    Ste stamped her foot, letting out a frustrated sigh before diving into bed.


    The sheets still carried Ronald''s scent, mixed with a faint, lingering trace ofst night.


    Ste punched the pillow, wishing she could just burrow into the bedding and nevere out.


    But she couldn''t afford to just sleep.


    The room hadn''t been very bright earlier,


    seening. She needed to Ronald probably hadn''t et


    and


    tidy up properly.


    Especially the scarf hidden in the bathroom, with its telltale stains... "Ah!"


    Ste let out a loud exmation, jumped up, and turned on the light.


    up


    The moment her feet hit the floor, she was acutely aware of the soreness in her legs.


    It hurt!


    The drugged Ronald was relentless The encounter with him had been devoid of any restraint, akin to a wild


    beast''s onught. Contents


    Ste felt a sharp pang of pain, but she endured it, cleaning up the room thoroughly, ensuring no evidence remained.


    Finally, as she reached the bathroom and found the bloodstained scarf, a knock came at the door.


    Ste moved cautiously toward the door.