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Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Standing in front of the mirror, Stephanie Giovanni studied her reflection, her lips curling into a soft smile.

“Stunning she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

The gown hugged her slender waist, flowing into a skirt that reminded her of something straight out of a fairytale.

Her face, still free of makeup, looked just as delicate and enchanting in the natural light.

The shop manager was adjusting the pleats on the gown.

She couldn’t resist commenting. “Why isn’t Mr. Ashford here with you? Men and women, they’ve got different tastes, you know

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Stephanie’s lips. She glanced at the manager with a shrug. “You know men. Busy with work Can’t get away

Just then, her phone vibrated on the nearby counter. Stephanie glanced at the caller ID before answering, “Ella.”

On the other end. Ella Turner’s voice came through quickly, almost breathless. “Stefi, I saw Olivia and Chris!”

The moment she heard those names, Stephanie’s fingers tightened around the phone, her knuckles going white.

The smile that had lingered on her face slowly faded, replaced by a chill in her eyes.

Chris Ashford–her fiancé–was just a week away from marrying her.

And Olivia Hart, just hearing her name disgusted Stephanie.

Stephane looked over at the shop manager, who immediately nodded in understanding.

With a silent gesture, the manager ushered the staff out of the room.

Crace the room was empty, Stephanie lowered her gaze to her perfectly manicured nails. “Where did you see them?” she asked casually.

Ella’s voice cracked with urgency. “At the hospital. In the obstetrics and gynecology department.”

Stephane raised an eyebrow, a quiet laugh escaping her lips. “Quite a special place,” she muttered, her expression turning to one of thinly vetied sarcasm

A man and a woman in the obstetrics and gynecology department? Stephanie didn’t need to think twice to know why.

Ella, still flustered, pressed on “That Olivia is a calculating bitch, and Chris is an idiot. You shouldn’t marry him!”

Whdie Stephane seemed calm. Ella was seething with anger.

the water cup on the table, unfazed “Every time she calculates, the trouble’s on ME. Why are

years ago Olivia begged for Stephanie’s forgiveness in tears.

Ar car tork and threw herself on Chris,

putner? Or just loo kind Stephanie thought to

did it’s packing the perfect just before you and Chris are about to get married.

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Chapter 1

something.”

the phone tightening. “I’m hanging up

frantic. “What are you going

lips curled into a thin smile. “Someone’s made a bad calculation. I’m going

silence that followed

her reflection in the mirror, Stephanie reached up to touch the bust of the dress.

she tore the gown in half, throwing the pieces to the floor.

ripping echoed through the silent room.

cold fury in Stephanie’s expression, none of them

changed back into her own clothes, her phone

at the

answered, and his voice came through immediately, firm and clipped. “Once you’re done with the fitting, come

two years, Chris had always been

back, he suddenly became cold.

tone made

eyes.

feel

Why a

colder.

of sarcasm flashed in Stephanie he couldn’t be bothered to respond. Without hesitation, she

***

hour later…

He was standing by the floor–to–ceiling windows, speaking

bit the image of refinement and gentleness. His perfectly sculpted profile was hard to ignore, the kind of face that

like something most people in Long Harbor City could only dream of.

phone, “Can’t join you for lunch today. Sorry. Goodbye.”

the nearby leather couch,

phone call seemed to vanish in an instant, replaced by an icy coldness

voice became clipped as

inch. The tension between them was thick, hanging heavy in the air.

Instead, she chose to sit across from

narrowed, and the coldness

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