Return of the Crowned Heiress Chapter 695

“You.

Felicia never imagined she would get caught just like that!

Stephan didn’t even see her face. How did he recognize her from just herback? It was in

was impossible!

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

“Why were you hiding?” Stephan didn’t answer her question and instead asked one of his own.

Why was she hiding?

Felicia froze for a moment. The first thought that came to her mind was simple–guilt. She had suck in to check on Imogen because of that overwhelming guilt weighing on her, Only by seeing Imogen sate and out of danger could she breathe easier.

And as for why she wanted to avoid Stephan… It was because she wasn’t ready to face him.

No matter how she framed it, everything that happened had stemmed from her actions, Stephan probably hated her to the core by now

Caught in a swirl of complicated emotions, Felicia decided to come clean. She softened her tone and began to explain, “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?”

“L” Felicia faltered, her voice failing her. It was as

She finished the rest of the sentence in her mind, unable to say them out, “would have been me,”

Felicia had never seen such a look in Stephan’s eyes before. It was like he was looking at a stranger. His gaze was cold, mocking, and filled with a mix of disappointment and doubt.

She tilted her head back and let out a self–deprecating laugh. “Then what do you think happened?”

They were standing so close together, with Stephan’s hand gripping her waist tightly as if he wanted to fuse her into himself. Their eyes locked, and their breaths intermingled, but it was not with tenderness. It was with tension, silent confrontation, and a clash of wills.

Finally, Stephen asked a single question, “Felicia, doy you love me?

Felicia had imagined all sorts of scenarios–accusations, demands, blame. But she never thought that after such a long and tense standoff, Stephan’s first question would be this

In a relationship, the one who asked this question was the

the one who had lost their confidence. It was an admission of vulnerability.

Felicia, startled at first, looked up at Stephan’s tightly clenched jaw. He was like a wounded wolt, baring the softest part of himself–his heart. It was exposed and unguarded, bleeding with raw sincerity

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

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

Finally, Steplan released her.

Their eyes were heavy with lingering passion, and things almost escalated into a spicier rendezvous. Felicia was still catching her breath when Stephan grabbed her hand and began leading her out.

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

“To gri mained.”

no room for argument.

His answer was fin and succinct, leaving no

Felicia froze. “Now?”

“yes.” Stephan turned back to look at her, his gaze more intense and commanding than ever before. The way he looked at her made her heart race and her cheeks bum as if every inch of her was being marked as hils.

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