Stefan did not miss Renee’s fidgeting, but misunderstood it as her craving a cigarette.


    Frowning, he lectured her like a father would, “You’re a woman, but you smoke?”


    His judgy tone pissed Renee off, and she straightened herself menacingly as she snapped,


    “What’s wrong with women smoking? Why are men allowed to do it, but not women?”


    “Men are different from women,’ Stefan said stubbornly.


    “In what way?” Renee demanded sharply. “From my perspective, women can do anything


    men can, but men can’t do everything women can. In that respect, women are nobler than


    men!”


    “How so?”


    “Women are more empathetic, sentimental, and kinder. Most importantly, they can bear


    children, and men can’t. Think about it—every human being came from a woman, so why


    are men allowed to smoke but women aren’t?”


    Stefan actually could note up with a retort against Renee’s eloquent logic, and she


    snorted. “See? Can’t argue against that, can you? Give me a reason if you think of one


    that’s reasonable.”


    Seizing the moment while Stefan was spaced out, she snatched a cigarette from his box


    and ignited hers with his.


    This time, Stefan did not stop her. He somewhat agreed with her perspective that women


    were nobler than men, as they were an amalgamation of that which was beautiful, while


    men embodied bloodlust, death, and violence.


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    As Renee smoked, she leaned very close to Stefan. Their faces were so close that they


    could feel the other’s breath on their skin. It was a delicate exchange, as addictive as


    nicotine-one could get lost in it without realizing.


    “I smoke because I’m frustrated. What reason do you have to smoke?” Steafan asked


    Renee, staring at her through the smoke with a prating gaze.


    Why did he feel like he had stared at her beautiful face countless times, and yetpletely


    forgot about it?”


    “I’m frustrated too,” Renee rasped, closing her eyes after slowly calming herself.


    “What’s frustrating you?” Stefan asked, his eyes sharply studying her. ’I don’t think Jovan


    would leave you frustrated. Don’t you agree?”


    He knew very well what Jovan was-in Janes would certainly go crazy for him, but it didn’t


    make sense that a strong, independent, and smart woman like Renee would do the same.


    That was why he had a hunch that Jovan was just a diversion. She was probably carrying


    more secrets than she let on, and it was those secrets thatpelled her to walk into his


    trap.


    “You’re wrong. I’m not asplicated as you think—Jovan is my only concern, and all I


    want for him is to live his days in peace and bliss…” Renee spoke quietly as she stared at


    the cigarette between her fingers, and added quietly, “I’ve only taken a liking to the scent of


    nicotine over thest few years-it offers me brief respite.”


    Jovan was a burden, but she would only be fine if he was, because it was Stefan who had


    done this to her.


    However, those words left Stefan incensed. He snuffed his cigarette and leveled an icy re


    at her, then demanded through clenched teeth, “You love him very much, is that it?