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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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.

Even sleep, the one thing that used to help

pain so deep it

this, Caitlin didn’t believe for a second her

her hate Stephanie even more–the woman who’d pushed

Olivia whispered again, so quiet it was almost

girl, Caitlin said, her voice thick

the only one sinking. Sitting in her car, Caitlin felt it

a damn thing about it. She hurt for Olivia and

cozy, the heater humming softly in the

shock from the moment she first saw Stephanie,

Bay looming ahead like some fancy.

the studio was just starting out, barely keeping the lights on, Stephanie still spoiled

it was Hart family cash behind it

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

Shallow Bay Area? Maybe connected to that dude who picked her up?

of juice, they wouldn’t have spent

slid a hot mug of

“Boss,

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Chapter 173

eyebrow. “Say what?”

arms. “All that garbage the

it go down”

Stephanie didn’t even need her

she was, scraping by paycheck

Dumb

fake–cried, laying it on

the side. Then I deserve some

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

thinking

both a look. “You two are a real comedy act.”

to Jennifer. “You got

“Yep, right

out a stack of papers,

pages before passing them to

huh?” Her voice got quiet, a little sad, as

“Yeah, sooner

up in Long Harbor or not, Stephanie had been dying

two years, she’d kept tabs on

been waiting for the right shot–just

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

lose my job? Please, no, she groaned

was solid, paid decent–she wasn’t ready to

a new boss lined up

flicked to Ella, her fingers

I won’t screw up the good thing she

Jennifer’s voice went soft, her eyes getting inisty

still set them up nice. She would never find a boss

the tears. Nothing lasts forever?

had together

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13 Mar D

Chapter 173

paperwork, Jennifer’s phone buzzed. She excused herself and stepped

answer it

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

Stephanie froze. “What?”

yanking her sweater collar higher to

late. I

might’ve figured it was just a

pink. She dipped her head, pressing her lips together to hold back a

eyebrow. “So, you and him

easy. “Yeah.”

just put it out there, straight up.