Looking at it now, it all seemed like a joke.


    Ste had reached the end of her patience. She rolled her eyes at Yorick, mmed the car door shut, and instructed the driver upfront, "Go ahead, ram it."


    There was no reasoning with a lunatic like him. Their minds operated on different frequencies, and talking any more would just be a waste of breath and time.


    The driver nodded, "Alright."


    Just as the car engine came to life, the driver suddenly announced, "Miss, the boss is back."


    Ste nced out the windshield. The moment she recognized Ronald''s car, there was a loud crash, and Yorick''s car was nudged aside.


    Ste was totally stunned.


    Ronald was definitely her man; he never did things halfway.


    Ste got out of the car, not even sparing Yorick a nce, and headed straight for Ronald''s vehicle. Ronald stepped out as well, his presence intense andmanding. He cast a dangerous nce at Yorick. "Well, Mr. Quarry, it''s a surprise to see you here, but..."


    He nced at the car that had been shoved aside.


    "I don''t appreciate intrusions on my territory. Next time, make sure you''re on the right road."


    He emphasized thest four words sharply.


    Yorick trembled with anger. He looked at Ste, but she was already beside Ronald, tantly ignoring him. They held hands right in front of him, unfazed.


    Yorick''s gaze was fixed on their interlocked fingers, a sharp pain piercing his heart.


    Not wanting to waste any more time on Yorick, Ste was ready to leave.


    "I''m meeting Tegan for lunch. Let''s go."


    Ronald affectionately pinched Ste''s nose and led her back to the car.


    Their vehicle drove off, leaving Yorick standing there, the cold wind biting through him. Yet, the chill in his heart was far worse.


    His mind reyed the earlier conversation with Ste about ''hate.'' She hadughed at the idea of hating him, as if mocking him for being blind to the truth. She didn''t hate him; she felt nothing for him.


    So, what did those two years mean to her?


    ...


    In the car.


    Ste was perched on Ronald''sp, squirming. "I want to sit by myself."


    Whenever they were alone, he loved holding her like this. Looking back, it seemed Ronald had been holding her since they were kids. Hisrge hands rested on her slightly chubby waist. .


    en


    Luckily, Ste had a petite frame. Otherwise, this bit of baby fat might have been problematic. "Ronald, are you mad?"


    "It wasn''t me who went looking for trouble; he came to me," Ste said, feigning innocence. Ronald replied, "Haven''t you learned how to deal with such people?"


    For those who didn''t matter,


    Ronald''s advice had always been not to give them any attention, not to waste time. If a problem could be solved with force, then use force.


    en


    Ste''s brow furrowed. "I was about to ram his car myself, but then you showed up. Hey, weren''t you supposed to return in the afternoon?"


    Ronald didn''t answer. He leaned in and kissed her.


    Ste was caught off guard. There he goes again...


    Up front, Idris, sensing the sudden quiet in the car, silently raised the partition.


    This little troublemaker had dyed quite a bit. They had nearly reached their destination when Ronald heard Yorick was waiting at Mist Bay to block Ste and immediately turned back.


    That crash earlier definitely came from Ronald''s frustration. Yorick''s car was likely totaled.


    Ronald dropped Ste off where she was meeting Tegan.


    As she got out, she almost stumbled, but Ronald''s quick reflexes caught her.


    "What happened? Can''t even walk straight?"


    Ste shot him a pleading look. "It''s your fault! You kissed me until I was dizzy."