Chapter 68

Stella kept a close eye on William's face-and bingo, there it was. William's expression darkened, a clear flicker of anger flashing in his eyes.

Yep, she thought. That classy woman who had just walked by? Definitely his ex.Probably the one who still had a hold on him -the one he couldn't have.

Stella clicked her tongue.

Being in the same place, seeing someone you once cared about but couldn't be with?That had to sting.

For a brief moment, she felt a little sorry for him.

Meanwhile, William was quietly focused on his meal when a prickle of instinct told him he was being watched.

He glanced up-and sure enough, there she

was. Stella. She wasn't even trying to hide it,either. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, her expression the definition of amused curiosity -like she was watching a particularly juicy episode of a drama, and he was the main act.

His face turned stormy in an instant.

What was he, some reality show for her entertainment?

He said nothing, just quietly finished his meal.

Once he finished, he picked up his tray and strode past her table. Just as he passed by,he leaned in slightly and said in a cool,almost lazy tone, "Ms. Russell, it appears that your appetite is limited at the moment.However, without sufficient energy reserves,it may be challenging for you to help washing my back."

Stella choked on her own breath. She turned beet red before she could even think of a comeback-but William was already gone,

striding away like nothing had happened.

Her colleagues, having overheard William's remark, immediately turned their curious gazes toward Stella.

"What are you helping him with, Stella?" one asked,eyebrows raised in intrigue.

Caught completely off guard, Stella froze with her fork mid-air. Her face flushed so quickly it feIt like she'd stepped into a sauna.Was William trying to embarrass her?

"Is it some kind of... intense task?" another added, a little too innocently. "You know-physically demanding?"

Her colleagues, completely unaware of her embarrassment, kept pressing.

All Stella could do was shake her head,cheeks still warm, trying to explain that William was just making a joke.

But-joking?

Everyone around the table exchanged looks,like they'd just heard the most absurd thing

imaginable.

The man barely spoke to anyone, let alone joked. If he was suddenly joking with Stella...what did that mean? Was something going on between them?

Stella managed to finish up her meal amidst the barrage of questions, and finally made it back to her dorm.

She showered, threw on something comfortable, and flopped onto her bed. The mattress was firm, but honestly, she felt better than she had in weeks.

Leaving Marc had been the best decision she'd ever made.

Before moving here, she'd switched phones and numbers. Marc could try all he wanted-he wasn't going to find her.

In a few days, she'd probably be declared missing.

Her name would vanish from any traceable records.

It'd be like she'd never existed.

Turning on her phone, Stella opened WhatsApp and saw a message from Lainey.

"Stella, where did you go? Marc showed up at the institute again today, raising hell.Security had to step in to get him to leave.Also, since finding out you left, he's been searching everywhere in Choria-posting missing person notices, writing these long sob stories online. It's pathetic. He's just trying to play the victim again."

Stella burst out laughing. She didn't even need to look-she could already picture Marc making a spectacle of himself, pretending to be some tragic, abandoned lover.

Of course, Lainey didn't know where she was now. No one did.

The base's strict confidentiality protocols ensured that. And that was exactly how Stella wanted it. She hesitated for a moment,thumbs hovering over the reply box.

Even if Lainey meant well, one slip was all it

would take for Marc to track her down.

The best-kept secrets were the ones kept from everyone.

Still, she felt a twinge of guilt for worrying her friend. But this... this was the only way.

With a soft sigh, she turned off her phone and let sleep take her.

Meanwhile, Marc was going out of his mind.He'd turned the city upside down-sent people to dig through every possible lead.And still, nothing.

It was like she had disappeared into thin air.

He'd always thought she'd never really leave him. That she'd eventually come crawling back. So he didn't take her seriously-until now.

Now she was gone. No message. Just gone.

He'd called her a thousand times, but her phone stayed off.

Back at the villa, everything felt colder. The

warm light she used to leave on for him? Off.

Desperate, he rummaged through her stuff-maybe she'd just taken a break, maybe she'd be back.

But when he opened the closet, reality hit hard. Most of her clothes were gone.