Chapter 8

Chris climbed into the car, his jaw clenched and his face dark with anger,

Kevin glanced at him through the rearview mirror. “So, how’s Miss Giovanni? Is she over it yet?”

It was pretty clear to everyone else that Stephanie was just throwing a tantrum, trying to pressure Chris into sending Olivia away again.

Chris rubbed his temples, frustration building. “You think she’s that easy to calm down?”

Kevin thought back to what had caused all this tension.

He had to admit, Olivia’s sudden return without any warning would’ve pissed anyone off.

“Do you think she’s serious about canceling the wedding?” Kevin asked cautiously.

Chris went quiet, unsure how to answer.

He replayed the past two years in his mind.

Then, Chris let out a bitter laugh. “What do you think?”

He couldn’t shake the feeling that someone who really felt that way wouldn’t shut down so fast.

Kevin thought for a moment, then shook his head It didn’t seem likely.

He knew the Hart family couldn’t stand Stephanie. Aside from marrying Chris, she had no backup plan.

Plus, after everything she’d invested in their relationship over the last two years, it seemed real. You couldn’t fake that kind of emotion.

So, Kevin figured Stephanie was just throwing a tantrum–though, admittedly, a pretty extreme one…

Back in Cloudridge Valley, Stephanie was still awake.

She stared at the pile of shopping bags scattered across the floor, her mind drifting back to the credit card she’d accidentally pulled out. Her headache was getting worse by the minute.

It felt like a storm was brewing inside her.

She tried to push the worry aside.

After all, she’d spent the whole morning trying on wedding dresses and shopping with Ella. Her calves were sore from all the walking

A bath sounded like just what she needed. It started off relaxing, but the moment she stepped out, the doorbell rang urgently.

“Who’s there?” she asked.

She didn’t bother opening the door, just called out.

“It’s me. Open up,” the person answered. Stephanie could tell it was Catlin.

Stephanie swung the door open to find Catlin standing there, dressed in an elegant skirt, a string of pearls around her neck.

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flawless, but her expression was sharp and

with authority. Her eyes

towel in hand, wiping her hair

was already angry, but seeing Stephanie lounging around like that pushed her to

89%

me, what exactly are you trying to do?” Catlin snapped, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. “I told you, Olivia didn’t do

Stephanie’s face. “And this statement about canceling the wedding? Olivia’s my daughter, and your sister!

the other woman. How could you do that?”

the angrier she became, her words spilling out in a

the towel aside and met Catlin’s furious gaze with

coldness in her eyes,

won’t stop until you’ve ruined the reputation of our entire family,

what had been weighing on

let Stephanie back, none

lately just proved she was nothing but trouble–a

outburst, Catlin stared at Stephanie, her face hard

right. You never should’ve brought me back. If you hadn’t, I wouldn’t have ended up in that

that Stephanie felt more regret than Catlin ever could. Returning to this family had been a mistake from

the words to respond. Her arms trembled,

“Like I said, you should’ve just pretended you never found me. From

as for Olivia–you’re still protecting her,

her?”

the Hart family a few years ago, Stephanie had left again. She hadn’t spent enough time with

burn hotter. “You… you rude and ungrateful brat,” Catlin spat.

had hit a

Catlin stood up. “Think about it carefully. Once you stop going after Olivia, I’ll reinstate your card.”

tried to

back down

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Chapter 8

word, Catlin stormed out, slamming

convinced that cutting off Stephanie’s access to money would force her to crawl

Stephanie begging for her forgiveness.

5.,99%E

house fell

unfazed, casually washed an apple

rang, and she answered it

vibrating with excitement. “Boss, we’ve got a

apple, her tone as calm as ever.

keep her enthusiasm in check, replied, “Three

quickened at the number. The apple in

and stood

her apple,

it took her over forty minutes to get to the office, but today she made it in just

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