Chapter 2688

Stefan listened to Xavier in silence for a long moment before finally speaking. "Let things take their course. If fate wants us together, then we'll be together. If fate wants us apart, I'll accept it willingly." At first, when Stefan learned about the long-buried grudges between the two families, he felt hopeless and pessimistic. All he wanted was to cut ties with Renee, thinking it was the best way to protect her. He told himself he was a ruthless man. He thought he could make hard choices and sever emotional attachments for the greater good. But the moment he realized he could lose Renee, fear hit him. When he heard that Renee was going to marry Justin, the pain nearly killed him, but he forced himself to suppress the urge to steal her back. It wasn't until later, when Jovan went through with that wedding heist for him, that Stefan realized he wasn't nearly as detached as he'd thought. He simply couldn't let Renee leave his world completely. After struggling with it for so lo