Chapter 1298

Rosa was genuinely devoted to Joe, but having given so much, she feared losing both her heart and her wealth.

Joe snapped out of his reverie, looked down at Rosa, and asked, "Why are you afraid?"

"Because I feel your heart is no longer with me," she replied. "We used to share everything, but now your distance makes me feel worlds apart." Rosa struggled to articulate her feelings, fearing that speaking too much might push Joe further away.

Joe gently pushed her aside, walked inside, and poured himself a glass of water. While drinking, he observed Rosa's reaction. Her behavior had been peculiar since their trip to Jipsburg.

"We've been through a lot," he said. "There's no need to overthink. Now, tell me about the past."

Rosa's eyes widened. "Why are you suddenly curious about the past? You said you weren't interested; you even discouraged me from talking about it."

Joe's tone remained calm. "That was before. Now, I want to know."

"In the past," Rosa began vaguely, "we didn't have much money. During the hardest times, we even slept on the streets." She avoided specifics.

Joe squinted slightly. He had no memory of this past and didn't feel the need to press further.

Meanwhile, Simona had taken Stephen to a high-class restaurant for their first meal together. Previously, their dates had been limited to movie theaters, local restaurants, or short trips. This restaurant was one she often frequented with her brother.

Stephen felt out of place.

"Are you uncomfortable?" Simona asked gently. "If you don't like the food, we can go next door."

In such an unfamiliar environment, Stephen felt uneasy. He'd never been in such an establishment before. However, he knew he'd need to adapt to such places, and even more exclusive settings. He shook his head. "Let's stay."

He watched Simona effortlessly order several seemingly expensive dishes. Afterward, she handed him the menu. "See if you'd like anything else. I just ordered my favorites."

As Stephen examined the menu, the prices made his hand tremble. He'd heard classmates mention this restaurant—known for its outrageous prices and clientele from a social class beyond their reach. The fact that Simona frequented such a place made his heart pound uncontrollably.