After a while, Ronald finally seemed satisfied and let Ste go.


    Ste looked at him with a pout, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "My lips hurt," sheined.


    It did hurt a bit. He was so inexperienced...


    Ronald bent down to examine her lips, noticing the slight chapping with a pang of regret. "I''ll be gentler next time."


    "You''re already thinking about next time? It hurts!" Ste mumbled as she snuggled back under the covers.


    She had nned to head to the studio today to give Tabitha some work instructions, but with the snow falling thick outside, she felt no desire to leave the house. There was something soforting about staying in bed during a snowstorm. Besides, with her lips sore, she knew Ronald wouldn''t let her go out anyway.


    Ronald chuckled at herzy demeanor. "Make sure you wrap things up at your studio soon. We''re heading back to Ferrond."


    Ste turned to face him, eyes wide with anticipation. "When?"


    Suddenly announcing a trip back to Ferrond had her heart racing with excitement.


    But wait...


    "Can we wait until these marks fade before we go back?" she asked.


    She couldn''t very well exin them to her mom or Yvonne if they asked.


    Ronald stood up, considering. "About two weeks."


    Ste nodded. "That should be enough."


    Two weeks was plenty of time, but only if Ronald behaved himself. If he didn''t, and more marks appeared, she might not have the courage to face her family in Ferrond.


    Ronald seemed to catch her drift, leaning in with a teasing smile. "If they ask, just tell them the truth."


    Ste''s eyes lit up at his words. "Really? I can?"


    "Why not?"


    Ste was left speechless, admiration glittering in her eyes as she gazed at him. "I really admire you."


    If she actually told them the truth, she couldn''t even imagine how they would react. If she managed to stay in Ferrond without bolting, it would be a miracle.


    With that, Ronald left the room.


    Alone, Ste''s thoughts turned to her studio and how to handle things. She hadn''t been able to contact anyone in Ferrond before, uncertain if or when she could return. Now that she was going back, her visits to Portis City would likely be less frequent. It was something she needed to sort out.


    She picked up the phone and called Tabitha to schedule a meeting at the studio for the next day, then dialed Susanna.


    Susanna was at the hospital when she answered, immediately clicking her tongue. "Karma, I tell you. What did the Larkin family do to deserve this?"


    Ste asked, "You''re at the hospital again?"


    Susanna sighed. "Don''t even get me started. My niece got sick again after being discharged. It''s stressing me out."


    Lately, Susanna had been


    particrly worried about her little niece. Thest time she visited


    she''d run into Jaxon and L with their child at the hospital.


    Ste inquired, "Did you see the Larkins?"


    Susanna replied, "Yeah, can you believe it? Fate just keeps serving me the juiciest gossip and drama."


    Ste couldn''t help but smile at her friend''s obvious glee. "You''re really enjoying this, aren''t you?"


    Susanna lowered her voice. "I heard it was a gunshot wound. Both his hands are ruined. How much must they hate him?" Ste was stunned. "Both hands?"


    Ronald had taken Jaxon''s hands? That was Ronald being merciful; usually, he''d be out for blood.


    Susanna continued, "Yeah, Mrs.


    Larkin fainted from the shock. She could never tell the difference between her adopted daughter and her own. Now with her real son and the adopted daughter, which do you think matters more?"


    Ste replied, uninterested, "Does it matter? The Larkins are in chaos now."


    L had noticed that Jaxon had


    been spending a lot of time with Urstely. She''d hoped that bringing the child back would secure her ce in the Larkin family. If she found out that her son- Cloudia''s biological grandson- was less


    important than the adopted


    daughter, there''d be hell to pay.


    "Enough about the Larkins. That drama will keep unfolding. Let''s talk business," Ste said.


    Susanna was surprised. "Business? You have business with me?"


    "Why not?" Ste retorted.


    Susanna chuckled. "Sure, what''s up? Are we taking down the Larkins or Yorick? Just send me the juicy bits."


    Ste rolled her eyes. Did Susanna really think her business was all about taking people down?


    "Did the Quarrys give you any troublest time?" Ste asked.


    Susanna scoffed. "Do you think I care?"


    Ste was worried. "I''m just concerned about your mother."


    Susanna was unfazed. "She can handle herself."