"How about we grab some hot wings instead?"


    Before the man could finish his sentence, Ste chimed in.


    Back in the day, whenever the weather turned particrly chilly, she and Susanna would always hit up their favorite spot for hot wings. Ronald tapped her forehead gently. "You think that''s a good idea right now?"


    Ste pouted. "Alright, then."


    She was still nursing some injuries, and given where they were, spicy food was definitely off the menu.


    Ronald leaned in, his forehead gently resting against hers as he felt her temperature. "You''re still not quite stable."


    Instinctively, Ste stepped back, lost her bnce, and ended up sprawled across the bed.


    Ronald raised an eyebrow "What''s this supposed to mean, Star?"


    Ste''s face froze.


    "I, uh, I just lost my bnce."


    Oh, this was maddening. The way shey there, it almost seemed like an invitation.


    But it really wasn''t!


    Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, recalling everything that had happened sincest night. It all felt like a dream.


    She still hadn''t fully processed the shift in their rtionship.


    Instinctively, she reached for the nket, intending to pull it over herself.


    But Ronald leaned in closer, his breath warm against her skin.


    When his lips finally met hers, it was with a profound tenderness, as if he''d been holding back for years, finally giving in to the moment. His longing was palpable, a mix of desire and remembrance. Just as things were about to escte, Ronald suddenly pulled back.


    Ste, already flushed with nerves, stared at him with wide, innocent eyes.


    His warm fingertips gently traced her tear ducts. "Save that look for me in the future."


    Still a bit dazed, Ste could only manage a confused, "Hm?"


    He sighed, a mix of frustration and affection, before abruptly standing up and leaving without another word.


    As he left, Ste noticed him deliberately pulling his shirt down, as if trying to cover something.


    Later that evening, feeling somewhat better, Ste headed down to the dining room for dinner.


    Ronald hadn''te down yet, arriving about ten minutes after her, wearing a robe, his hair still damp from a shower.


    Seeing her already downstairs, he frowned. "Why are you down here? You could have had dinner brought to your room." "I wanted toe down."


    She didn''t like eating in her room.


    Plus, if food was sent up, Ronald


    would likely control the portions. She needed more nutrition, especially now.


    Sure enough, once at the table, Ste started to eat heartily.


    Ronald watched her, a silent observer.


    Ste caught his gaze. "Why are you staring?"


    "You''re on your second bowl already."


    Ste sighed internally. There it was - his usual mealtime monitoring.


    "I''m injured. I need all the nutrition I can get, so of course, I need to eat more."


    Ronald paused, then smiled, amused. "Not a bad excuse."


    Ste muttered, "It''s the truth."


    With that, she grabbed a forkful of beef and added it to her te.


    Ever since Ronald had been around, she hardly ever felt full at night.


    Tonight''s dishes were light, but they didn''t affect Ste''s appetite in the slightest.


    After dinner, Ronald escorted her back to her room and then reached for the medicine cab, intending to apply ointment to her wounds.


    Ste''s breath hitched. "You... I... I can do it myself."


    Ronald raised an eyebrow. "By yourself?"


    BUMS


    Ste nodded vigorously. "Yes, I can manage on my own."


    Ronald chuckled, a mix of indulgence and a newfound yful edge she hadn''t seen before.


    made Ste feel a tad uneasy about what mighte next.