Inside the room, Ste was still deep in slumber.


    "Star, Star?"


    Ronald called to her softly. Ste mumbled something incoherent, turned over, and seemed determined to keep sleeping.


    With a sigh, Ronald picked up her clothes and gently lifted her from the bed, trying to coax her into waking up.


    Ste blinked groggily, her eyes barely open. "What''s going on? Are we there yet?"


    Ronald chuckled, "Your phone''s been buzzing non-stop, and it''s time for us to get off the ne."


    As he spoke softly, he helped her into her clothes. The weather between Portis City and Cyris Isle was as different as night and day. Ste was too drowsy to protest and allowed him to help her. By the time she was fully dressed, she had finally started to wake up properly. Hearing her phone''s incessant buzzing, Ste answered without checking the caller ID. "Hello?"


    "Star, it''s me."


    Tegan James''s voice came through the line, snapping Ste to full alertness. "Tegan? How did you get this number?"


    Tegan replied, "You gave it to me."


    "Oh, right."


    Since Ronald had changed her phone, Ste had been careful about who got her new number, hoping to cut off ties with the Larkin family. "So, what''s up?"


    "I arrived in Portis City about six hours ago."


    Ste raised an eyebrow. "And?"


    "Mrs. Larkin has been camped outside, insisting on seeing me. She won''t leave."


    Ste sighed. Cloudia had heard about Tegan''s return to Portis City and was now staking out the Horner family home?


    Her persistence for the sake of Urs was unmatched. Even with all the drama L had caused over Urs, Cloudia still thought of seeking out Tegan. "Maybe you should go see her?" Ste advised.


    "Hmm?"


    "Remember to give her a glimmer of hope."


    Tegan was taken aback.


    Giving Urs hope? Wouldn''t that just lead to more despair?


    Before leaving Portis City, Tegan had reviewed Urs''s medical reports. The prognosis was grim.


    From her years of medical experience, Tegan knew Urs''s body was failing rapidly, with a life expectancy of less than six months.


    And that was with medical intervention. Without surgery, Urs''s time was even shorter.


    And now, without having undergone surgery or receiving proper medical care, what hope was there?


    "You''re suggesting I cause her both physical and emotional pain."


    Hope might be the cruelest gift of all. Tegan suddenly grasped Ste''s intent.


    "When someone sees no hope, they might choose to end things swiftly," Ste exined.


    "Got it."


    The idea was to prevent Urs from finding an easy escape.


    Years ago, Urs had attempted to harm Ste in the most vicious ways possible.


    fet


    Beyond the car ident, she had tried to interfere at the hospital. If Tegan and Susanna hadn''t acted quickly, Ste might not have survived.


    Reflecting on it now, Tegan was relieved that they had managed to keep Ste safe.


    Ine


    Had something happened to Ste with her status as the cherished daughter of the Lugar family, Mr. Quinn would have torn through Portis City in retribution.


    "So, I''ll head to the Larkin family. Dinner together tonight?"


    Ste nced at Ronald and, feeling the difort in her body, replied, "Let''s do it tomorrow."


    She had no desire to go anywhere today, still feeling the lingering ache.


    Tegan agreed, "Alright."


    After hanging up, Ronald scooped her up with a tender smile. "Such a good girl, thinking about your health first."


    "Well, when I''m in this much pain, going out is thest thing I want to do."


    Whether she was being good or not, the difort was very real. Ronald didn''t say another word, simply carried her off the ne.


    V


    In the past, Ste might have insisted on walking herself, but today she didn''t. She meekly nestled her face against Ronald''s chest, content to be cared for.