Chapter 91

Over the years, Stephanie never really stopped thinking about the Giovannis.

She’d watch from a distance, keeping quiet tabs on their lives.

Ella leaned back in her seat. “Honestly? Seems like you had it pretty good with them.”

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Compared to the circus at the Hart house, Stephanie’s life with the Giovannis looked downright dreamy. Ever since the Harts dragged her back, Olivia had been coming for her throat non–stop.

And yet, with the Giovannis? Technically, Stephanie was ‘adopted‘ too–but they never treated her like an outsider.

Stephanie shrugged. “Guess it helps when they get you as a baby.”

Ella nodded. “Yeah, babies are cute. Hard to hate a baby.”

But then Ella added, “Still, I bet you were good to them too. Love’s a two–way street, right?”

Whatever went down between her and Olivia wasn’t some random catfight. Olivia wanted her gone from day one.

The whole mess with the Harts wasn’t exactly a surprise, they came at her swinging before they even knew the facts.

After enough fights, it was obvious they’d already decided she was the problem.

Truth is, from the second they brought her back, they never treated her like real family.

And Stephanie? She grew up with the Giovannis, loved, spoiled, and never had to beg for scraps of affection. So why the hell would she start now?

“Come on,” Stephanie stood up, grabbing her bag. “Let’s eat.”

Ella followed, but she couldn’t help herself. “Oh, by the way, Chris is still tearing up half the city trying to figure out who owns Whispering Bay. I swear, I need to see his face when he finds out it’s you.”

People who didn’t know the truth were still totally clueless.

But the ones who did? Watching Chris and the Harts trip over themselves like this–it was comedy gold.

Stephanie smirked. “Don’t ruin the fun yet. Let him sweat.”

Ella cracked up. “He looks extra stupid when he’s frustrated.”

They stepped out, heading to lunch–totally unaware that right after they left, Catlin showed up..

Jennifer tried calling Stephanie to warn her, but her phone was sitting on silent.

****

At the restaurant-

Ella sliced into her steak, all casual, like she wasn’t about to drop another bomb. “Oh, and guess what? Lilian’s on house

arrest.”

Thought

Jackson mentioning it, but locking his own sister down? That felt extreme..

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Chapter 91

her in, Lilian’s gotta be losing

hell does she even

“Girl used to be out shopping 24/7. Now? Radio silence.”

a hundred times more than Stephanie

for the best. If not, the Hodge family’s gonna need serious damage

Ella blinked. “Why?”

Disgraced?’

“Let’s just say Tyler’s not exactly the wholesome type.”

something in Ella’s memory. She glanced around, then leaned

think he’s

fork paused

had a fever, and guess who I

“What?”

With some random woman. And

for a

three–wasn’t Tyler’s kid right

the kid? Looked

close enough to

full of disbelief. “That kid’s literally a

raised a brow. Now

about this engagement, Tyler really had the balls to parade his side piece and love child out in

knew, didn’t you?” Ella

“Yes, I do.”

didn’t even blink. “Yeah.”

shit–it’s really his kid? Then what’s he doing

weren’t exactly known for their

That was the kind of

“Long story. The

spat her drink

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Chapter 91

That crusty–ass

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napkin, all calm and collected, “Yup. And that’s

kid:

He just left them hanging?”

You think a guy like Tyler’s capable

just looking for a good time and

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