Elise's words hung in the air, met only by the hum of the engine. William gave no indication he had heard her. His focus remained entirely on the road ahead, his expression unreadable.

She forced her turbulent emotions down, maintaining a calm facade. "I have a crucial meeting first thing tomorrow morning," she stated evenly. "And it's already extremely late."

"I'm aware," William replied.

Elise waited for him to continue, but he fell silent again.

Frustration bubbled within her. She bit her lower lip, suppressing the urge to say more.

Since he seemed determined to remain silent, she leaned back against the leather seat. Her gaze drifted to the window, watching the city lights blur past.

Soon, the car descended into the underground parking garage of Crestwood Heights.

Elise unfastened her seatbelt but made no move to exit. She turned to face him fully. "Go on, then. Say what you need to say."

Perhaps he couldn't properly articulate his thoughts while navigating traffic. That was understandable. She valued her safety too much to demand his attention while driving.

"It's late," William said, his tone flat. "You should go upstairs and rest. We can talk tomorrow."

"I prefer directness, William. Let's not dance around this. Just say it. I don't have endless time to devote to this situation. My schedule is packed." Her voice was cool and matter-of-fact.

She had no desire to prolong this agony. She had always been straightforward, even with Samuel in the past.

William's knuckles whitened as his grip tightened on the steering wheel. He finally turned his head, his intense gaze meeting hers.

Despite her seemingly compliant demeanor tonight, he could feel the immense distance she had placed between them.

"I had no prior knowledge of the engagement with Victoria," he finally confessed, the words rushing out. "My grandfather announced it publicly without consulting me."

He had been waiting outside her apartment for hours. When she hadn't returned by the early hours, he had mobilized all his resources to search the entire city for her. The moment he learned she was at the hospital, he had sped there immediately.

Seeing her walk out of the hospital unharmed had only slightly eased the tightness in his chest.

His initial intention had been simply to ensure she got home safely and then leave, not wanting to disturb her rest.

But Elise clearly had little patience left for him. He understood that.

Anyone in her position would feel the same.

"My grandfather has been monitoring my movements closely," he continued. "He confiscated my phone. I had no way to contact you—"

"I know. Elizabeth warned me about that," Elise interjected, cutting him off.

Lengthy explanations were unnecessary. All they needed was a clear resolution.

William's lips pressed into a thin line. He kept his eyes locked on hers. "I have no intention of marrying Victoria. I just need some time."

"How much time?" Elise asked, her voice devoid of emotion.

"Six months."

"And what if, after six months, you're still forced to go through with the marriage?"

"That won't happen."

"How can you be so certain?" A bitter, humorless smile touched her lips. Her gaze was cold and unwavering. "Your grandfather can strip you of your freedom. He can isolate you from the outside world entirely. What makes you believe you can successfully defy him in just six months?"

"It was a sudden ambush. I had no time to prepare any countermeasures," William explained, his voice low. "Furthermore, my grandfather promised to restore my freedom after Victoria's departure. She's only in Crestwood for a week. I didn't want to make any rash moves that would alert him to my resistance."

So, he had chosen to endure the situation temporarily, biding his time.

"I don't trust you," Elise stated slowly, each word deliberate.

William swallowed hard, the muscles in his throat working as he fought to control the emotions threatening to surface.

He had mentally prepared himself for this conversation, but being rejected so bluntly by the woman he loved still sent a sharp, dull ache through his heart.

"Furthermore," she continued, her steely gaze never wavering, her resolve terrifyingly firm, "I have no desire to become entangled in the complex power struggles and grudges between your family and the Stuarts. I lack the patience to navigate the politics of two powerful families." She took a slow breath. "I fought hard for the peace I have now. If forced to choose, I would not hesitate to walk away from you."