Vengeance With My White Knight by Maya Kensington

Chapter 173

Caitlin dragged herself out of the sunroom, feeling heat down and worn out.

She’d wanted to make one last pitch for Olivia, to beg for even a sliver of mercy

But then she caught that icy, heartless look in Stephanie’s eyes–shutting down even Tyler’s medical care–and the clammed

up

If Chad found out she’d come here to face off with Stephanie and it somehow pulled Tyler into the mess, her marriage would be done for good.

Caitlin shoved the door open and stepped out into the freezing wind and snow.

Stephanie glanced at the butler. “Handle it.”

“Yes, miss,” he said quietly, dipping his head.

Tyler Stephanie muttered as she leaned back in her chair, lost in her thoughts.

She’d been dying to stick it to him for ages. And now, with Sebastian making his move, it was the perfect chance to twist the knife a little more.

The Hart family was already a train wreck, and they all blamed her, never owning up to their own crap.

If that was how they wanted it, Stephanie wasn’t about to go easy on them.

Caitlin had just left Shallow Bay Area and hopped into her car when her phone buzzed. Olivia’s voice came through, weak and shaky. “Mom?

That tiny whisper hit Caitlin like a punch to the gut, tearing her up inside.

In what felt like no time, the Hart family had fallen apart–once solid, now totally helpless against someone like Stephanie.

“Mom, help, I can’t do this, Olivia whimpered, her voice trembling “It hurts so much. It hurts.”

Back at the Hart place, it was like a ghost town. Everyone had bailed, leaving Olivia with just a few staff.

The illness had wrecked her–hair gone, skin pale as the snow stacking up outside.

The pain was brutal, nonstop, keeping her up, shaking through her whole body until it felt like it was in her bones, leaving nothing but misery.

“Did Stefi say I could go abroad?” Olivia asked, her voice barely hanging on.

Hopelessness stuck to her like glue. She could feel herself fading, bit by bit.

Last night was the worst–tossing around in bed, no sleep, stuck in a fog of nightmares she couldn’t shake.

And it was all Stephanie’s fault. She’d made sure Olivia had no treatment, no break, and she still wouldn’t let up.

“Olivia.” Caitlin’s voice came out soft and useless.

“Mom, I can’t do this anymore, Olivia cried, “I didn’t sleep at all last night. It hurts so bad–please, just talk to Stefi. Beg her to let me go. I’ll admit to anything. ll do whatever she wants.

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Chapter 173

Caitlin didn’t say anything.

“Please,” Olivia pushed, tears cracking her voice. “Tell her to let me off this time. She can mess with me later, when I’m better. I just need a break”

“Olivia” Carlin’s tone got heavy, serious.

Olivia struggled to breathe between words, “Whatever she wants me to say, I’ll say it. I’ll take the blame for everything. Just ask her to wait until I’m not dying, okay?”

Stuck in that suffocating house, with no way out, Olivia couldn’t take it anymore.

She flopped back on the bed, wondering if she’d even see tomorrow.

“Mom, please talk to her, she begged, voice shaking. Tm begging you, please…”

Her sobs broke through, rough and desperate.

one thing that used to help her escape the pain, was gone now,

knew what being sick was like–a pain so deep it dug into you,

like this, Caitlin didn’t believe for a second her daughter deserved it.

more–the

quiet it was almost nothing.

poor girl, Caitlin said, her

her car, Caitlin felt

couldn’t do a damn thing about

Whispering Bay was cozy, the

shake the shock from the

Whispering Bay looming ahead like some fancy. snow–covered castle. Her heart hadn’t stopped racing

barely keeping the lights on, Stephanie

it was Hart family cash behind it all–those people just screated old

how the Harts treated Stephanie, and she started second–guessing. No way they

Bay Area? Maybe connected to that dude

have spent the last few

slid a hot mug of

grinned, her eyes bouncing around. “Boss, you owe me for emotional

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Chapter 173

an eyebrow.

crossing her arms. “All that garbage the Hart family dumped on

it go down”

Stephanie didn’t

by paycheck to paycheck, pitying

Dumb

laying it on

side. Then I deserve some

Harts had their big fallout, Ella couldn’t believe they’d stooped so low as

awful for her, thinking they’d

“You two

turned to Jennifer. “You

fast. “Yep, right

bag, pulled out a stack of papers, and handed

through a couple pages before passing them to Ella

files, glancing over them. “So, it’s really back to Fiorenza, huh?” Her voice got quiet, a

“Yeah, sooner

was, Sebastian popping up in Long Harbor or not, Stephanie had been dying to get

she’d kept tabs on Fiorenza, never letting it

been waiting for the right shot–just didn’t expect

panic in her eyes. “Wait, you’re bailing? What about

lose my job?

paid decent–she wasn’t ready

cool as ever. “Already got a new boss lined

her fingers gripping the table

with a smirk. “Stick with me, Jennifer. I won’t

her eyes getting inisty as

but she’d still set them up nice. She would never

the tears. Nothing lasts

they’d had together mattered, she

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Chapter 173

phone buzzed. She excused herself and stepped out of

answer it

chance, eyeing Stephanie’s neck. “What’s that mark?“.

Stephanie froze. “What?”

hand flew up, yanking her sweater collar

grinned. “Too late. I saw

hadn’t tried to cover it, Ella might’ve figured it was just a bug bite. But that quick move? It gave the whole game

pressing her lips

raised an eyebrow. “So, you and him are a thing

easy. “Yeah.”

with Ella–she just put it out there, straight up.