Ste Grace stared straight ahead, a crack fleeted across her still eyes.


    In that crack was all the agony and unwillingness concealed within, and it turned to pitch dark.


    Only…


    Jasper Milton failed to see her pain because he was holding her.


    He looked at her affectionately, helplessly, sorry, and distressedly.


    “I’m sorry.” Jasper whimpered.


    Ste lowered her eyes, her long eyshes covered the windows to her soul.


    Her voice was as light as autumn orchids. “I… won’t forgive you.”


    Jasper was stunned, his Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat, swallowing his bitter misery.


    He could bear all her hatred andints. “Well, I’ll wait for you all my life to ept it.”


    “Go!” Ste spat.


    Jasper frowned but stood still.


    “Go away.” Ste red up at him.


    Her eyes were determined, piercingly cold, and heart-wrenching.


    He did not even have a chance to persuade her to stay. He turned around, opened the door, and left.


    “Ste, did you see that? His right pinkie was gone too. He must have cut it off for you.” Eli Wayne sobbed.


    Ste didn’t seen it.


    As soon as he came in, she did.


    However, she had no choice.


    These few days, she lived a life worse than death, and she knew that it was the same with him.


    He had fought hard and managed to substitute engagement for the marriage.


    He had done his best,


    she did not me him.


    She could only me the fact that they were all too weak.


    “I won’t forgive you.” It was directed to herself as much as to him.


    She did not want their love to be a sacrifice to protect each other.


    She needed to grow stronger.


    “I know what to do now,” Ste said with certainty.


    “Is there nothing we can do about it?” Eli felt sorry for them. “I think Jasper really likes you.”


    “Yes,” Ste said and looked at Eli firmly. “I’m going to sit for the Discipline Inspection Commission examination this year. I’m going to enter the Cab. I want to be able to y a decisive role.”


    She then left.


    Eli was worried that something might happen to Ste, so she followed her.


    Ste bought a new mobile phone and went to the business hall to reactivate her old phone number.


    She gave Wilson Chuck a call. “It’s Ste. Have you thought it over?”


    “Why didn’t you pick up my call when I called you previously?” Wilson raised his voice usingly.


    “I can’t change your decision whether I pick it up or not. So what is it?” Ste asked coldly.


    “Let’s talk about it face to face. Where are you now? I’m free at noon,” Wilson said.


    “See you in your office building, Dad.” Ste hung up the phone.


    Eli watched Ste with much concern.


    She knew that Ste had a mentally ill mother who was currently imprisoned in the sanatorium.


    She was vaguely aware that Ste’s father was not on good terms with Ste.


    Ste never talked about it and she never asked.


    “Ste, what on earth do you want to do? Don’t scare me. If you need my help, feel free to ask. You’re my best friend. I’m willing to do anything to help you,” Eli said worriedly.


    “I’m going back to that home. Eli, thank you, I’m fine. I’ve said that from now on, it’s gonna get better day by day.” Ste smiled slightly.


    Her smile was very beautiful, but Eli knew that she was hurting inside.


    She was afraid that Jasper was the only one who could heal this wound.


    “Then I’ll go back with you. If they bully you, I’ll help you.” Eli patted her chest.


    “If I have someone apanying me, it will weaken my ground. I can be invincible only when I’m alone. Don’t worry, if there’s a problem, I’ll look for you.” Ste held Eli’s hand.


    Ste’s hand was as cold as ice.


    She gripped it tightly as if trying to pass the warmth from her own hand to Ste’s.


    Ste’s mobile phone was beeping non-stop with old text messages flooding in.


    Ste nced through them.


    Some of them were Eli’s, some were Wilson’s, some were Frederick’s, and some were Jasper’s.


    Seeing Jasper’s caller ID, a dash of pain flicked through Ste’s eyes.


    She did not read the contents of the text messages, nor did she return their calls. She deleted them all with a tap.


    Before she went to see Wilson, she put on makeup and did her hair up in a bun.


    She looked mature and capable.


    Eli leaned against the door and observed Ste.


    This was a different Ste from before.


    The old Ste was cold and aloof.


    When they were ying, Ste would at most watch them y. asionally, she would smile quietly on the side.


    She was quiet and serene. Even though she had been hurt by Frederick, she was just like a hedgehog, balling herself up into a state of self-protection.


    Now, she was arrogant and sharp like a dagger. Even her eyes were harsh.


    “It’s good to fight for what’s yours. Just don’t hurt yourself,” Eli said worriedly.


    Ste examined herself in the mirror.


    “I don’t want to hurt them. I just want what I’m due.” Ste said with certainty.


    “Is Jasper what you want?” Eli asked empathetically.


    Ste nced at Eli from the corner of her eyes.


    “Only when fate is unfair can I know what I want most. At least, I have a direction to work hard towards. Don’t worry about me. I will live a good life because I have nothing to lose.” Ste grinned.


    Eli looked at Ste’s severed finger.


    Without asking, she could guess what kind of inhumane torture Ste had been through.


    “Anyway, I have only one thing to say. I’ll always stand by your side and support you,” Eli said as her eyes reddened.


    Ste nodded.


    She thanked them for taking Jasper away. Without him, she would be invincible.


    Ste hailed a taxi to Wilson’s office.


    She walked up to the front desk


    smiling.Têxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    “Hello, this is Ste. I’m here to meet your State Mayor Chuck. I have an appointment.” Ste said nonchntly.


    “Sure.” The receptionist called Wilson’s secretary’s office.


    Wilson’s secretary received the call and immediately came downstairs to wee her.


    “The state mayor been waiting for you for some time,” the secretary said respectfully.


    Ste could tell from the secretary’s attitude what Wilson’s final decision was.


    She followed the secretary to the elevator.


    Ding. The elevator door opened,


    revealing Frederick, who walked out slowly.


    He was surprised to see Ste here.


    “Where have you been? I have been calling you these past few days, but you haven’t answered. You have broken your promise.” Frederick stared coldly at Ste.


    “Sorry, there are some things that I can do nothing about, Mr Addington. If you don’t mind waiting for me a while, I’ll buy you a cup of coffee after I’m done,” Ste said cheerfully.


    Frederick could sense the difference in Ste.


    “Jasper and Katty are engaged. Do you know about that?” Frederick asked.


    “I’ll be rather ignorant otherwise, wouldn’t I?” Ste said indifferently.


    At that moment, Frederick couldn’t understand Ste.