Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 245

Tears streamed down Stephanie's cheeks.

Her lips were bitten white, her eyes filled with hatred, resentment, and a thick layer of mockery.

Quennel held her, trying to get closer.

Stephanie suppressed the stinging in her eyes, suddenly looking up, her voice firm. "Quennel, don't force me to hate you!"

Quennel's eyelids twitched. He looked up abruptly, only to see her face stained with tears.

She looked so fragile, as if standing on the edge of a cliff, so delicate that a gust of wind could knock her over. Her body trembled from crying, and she was enveloped in a profound sadness.

Quennel's heart quivered. He fumbled to wipe away her tears.

Seeing Stephanie like this, he suddenly couldn't bring himself to touch her.

"I'm sorry, don't cry. I was wrong, Stephanie. I shouldn't have disrespected you. Please stop crying. Don't look at me like that!"

Quennel's mind was in turmoil. Stephanie's gaze frightened him. It felt as if something was slipping out of his control, that she was drifting away, and all he could do was watch, unable to grasp her…

It was a feeling of utter powerlessness… Quennel's throat tightened, his eyes turning red.

He had been too hasty. His Stephanie had just been through something terrible tonight; she must be scared. He shouldn't have rushed to touch her.

Yes, she was angry, that's why she was looking at him that way.

Quennel stopped what he was doing and pulled back. He quickly wrapped the blanket around Stephanie's body and used a tissue to dry her tears, not daring to meet her eyes again.

Quennel sat up, his back to her. "There are clothes in the closet. Get dressed. I'm going to take a shower. When I'm out, I'll take you to the hospital."

With that, Quennel quickly turned and went into the bathroom.

Stephanie noticed him pick up a photo of her from the nightstand.

It was the same photo of them from their school days that had been leaked online a few days ago.

The bathroom door closed, and soon the sound of running water filled the air, accompanied by Quennel's repressed groan. His voice sounded strained and full of restraint. "Stephanie… I love you…"

In the end, it sounded like Quennel was crying.

But by now, Stephanie had recovered most of her strength.

She didn't look back or even glance at him. She quickened her pace, her only thought to get away from there.

Seeing this, Quennel chased after her, but Stephanie was already running down the stairs barefoot.

Quennel called from behind, "Stephanie, you're not wearing any shoes!" He was worried she would get hurt.

One ran, the other chased. Stephanie's white dress billowed in the wind, and a wave of heat still coursed through her body.

She was terrified that if she stopped, things would spiral out of control.

Just then, the front door clicked twice and opened from the outside.

Stephanie saw a tall figure emerge from the darkness.

When she recognized who it was, Stephanie let out a sigh of relief. She quickly ran into his arms, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Jonathan…"