You. Felicia never imagined she would get caught like that! Stephan didn’t even see her face. How did he recognize her from just her back? It was impossible!

Felicia was so stunned she almost let her shock show; she had intended to feign ignorance. But as soon as she met Stephan’s unreadable gaze, she gave up and sighed in defeat. “How did you recognize me?”

“Why were you hiding?” Stephan didn’t answer her question but asked his own. Why was she hiding?

Felicia froze. The first thought was simple—guilt. She had sneaked in to check on Imogen because of that overwhelming guilt. Only by seeing Imogen safe and out of danger could she breathe easier. And as for why she wanted to avoid Stephan… she wasn’t ready to face him. No matter how she framed it, everything stemmed from her actions. Stephan probably hated her.

Caught in a swirl of complicated emotions, Felicia decided to come clean. She softened her tone. “About what happened earlier on the mountain… Maurice didn’t mean to stab Imogen. He was under the influence of a venomous creature’s control, and it’s all because of me. That’s why—” Before she could finish, Stephan’s eyes gleamed with cold mockery. He cut her off with a bitter laugh. “Felicia, are you that desperate to defend Maurice?”

Felicia faltered. It was as if she had finished the rest of the sentence in her mind, unable to say aloud, “it would have been me.”

Felicia had never seen such a look in Stephan’s eyes. It was like he was looking at a stranger—cold, mocking, filled with disappointment and doubt. She tilted her head back and let out a self-deprecating laugh. “Then what do you think happened?”

They were standing close, Stephan’s hand gripping her waist tightly. Their eyes locked, breaths intermingled, but it wasn’t with tenderness. It was tension, silent confrontation, a clash of wills.

Finally, Stephan asked, “Felicia, do you love me?”

Felicia had imagined accusations, demands, blame. But she never thought that after such a long standoff, Stephan’s first question would be this. In a relationship, the one who asked this question was the one who had lost their confidence. It was an admission of vulnerability.

Felicia, startled, looked up at Stephan’s tightly clenched jaw. He was like a wounded wolf, baring his heart—exposed and unguarded, bleeding with raw sincerity.

Without hesitation, Felicia rose on tiptoe and pressed her lips to Stephan’s. Between the shared warmth of their kiss, she answered.

With labored breath, Felicia pushed him away. “Enough. That’s enough…”

Finally, Stephan released her. Their eyes were heavy with lingering passion, and things almost escalated. Felicia was still catching her breath when Stephan grabbed her hand and led her out.

“Where are we going?” Felicia asked, confused.

“To get married.” His answer was final and succinct, leaving no room for argument.

Felicia froze. “Now?”

“Yes.” Stephan turned back, his gaze more intense and commanding than ever. The way he looked at her made her heart race and her cheeks burn.

Then, she heard him say, “No more waiting. We’re getting married right now.”