Susanna stood frozen in the dining room, her face turning paler with each retching sound from the kitchen. Could it seriously be that bad?


    In the kitchen, Barnaby couldn''t hold it in any longer. He rushed to the garbage can and lost his lunch.


    "Oh my god..." he groaned. "What did I just eat?" Another heave followed.


    Susanna was speechless.


    Ss and Enzo exchanged nces, silently agreeing not to intervene. Usually, they''d rush to help Barnaby, but not this time.


    They picked the wrong time to visit Hull. Back then, they could barge in anytime they wanted when Hull didn''t have a girlfriend.


    That wouldn''t work anymore. From then on, the guys would need to consider what Hull might be up to before dropping by. It was a headache they didn''t need.


    Susanna''s heart was in her throat. She nced over at Hull, then at the untouched te of pasta he''d pushed toward her.


    What was up with Barnaby''s stomach? He''d only taken one bite, yet he was still retching in the kitchen.


    She swallowed hard, setting down her fork and giving Hull a pleading look. "I''m full. Can I go upstairs?"


    Hull squinted at her, his gaze sharp.


    Susanna sniffled, her eyes watery and red. She looked absolutely terrified.


    Hull thought to himself, How can someone be so timid? He hadn''t even done anything, and she was already frightened out of her wits. Was this the kind of friend Ste had?


    Hull didn''t say a word. Susanna took a deep breath and asked again, summoning all her courage, "May I?"


    Thankfully, Hull didn''t make it any harder for her. He nodded and said, "Go ahead."


    Susanna didn''t need to be told twice. She leaped up and dashed upstairs, locking her bedroom door behind her. The moment it clicked shut, she dialed Ste''s number.


    Meanwhile, Ste saw Susanna''s name on her phone in Mist Bay. Her heart ached a little. It hadn''t even been two days, but she knew the drill by now if Susanna was calling it meant Hull had scared her again.


    Answering the phone, Ste spoke gently, "Susie, don''t worry. I''ll be back tonight. Nothing''s going to stop me this time."


    Ronald was already arranging for someone to pack up their things.


    Susanna''s voice trembled on the other end. "Star, I''m so scared."


    Steforted her patiently, "I know, sweetie. I know you''re scared. You''ll stay


    with me when I''m back, okay? Wherever I go, you''ll go."


    Reflecting on her own experiences, Ste realized she should never have left Susanna with Hull. She remembered how traumatized she felt the first time she saw Ronald in a figh It left her shaken for ages, and Susanna, who had never seen such harsh realities, must be feeling the pressure even more intensely.


    Ste continued soothingly, "Don''t cry. I promise, Hull won''t hurt you."


    Sure, Hull was intimidating when he was silent and stern. But Ronald had personally asked him to look after Susanna, so she trusted Hull would protect her.


    But still, Ste hadn''t anticipated so many incidents would ur with Susanna staying with Hull. It was too much for Susanna, whose world had been peaceful. Enough was enough. Ste decided to bring Susanna back with her.


    "Really?" Susanna asked, her voice small.


    "Really," Ste assured her. "No surprises this time. I''ll be on the evening flight, so we''ll see each other by tomorrow morning."


    Ste wanted to say they could see each other the following morning if nothing unexpected happened.