Chapter 2
56%
GAD
Chris’s face shifted in disbelief, his brows knitting together as the weight of Stephanie’s words hit him.
He stared at her, utterly stunned by her coldness.
Cancel the wedding? Is she… crazy?‘ Chris’s mind raced, countless thoughts swirling, but they all crumbled in the face of her icy indifference.
His voice faltered slightly as he tried to explain. “She’s sick. Once she recovers, she’ll leave, and we’ll have a bigger wedding”
Stephanie’s lips curled into a sneer, her voice frigid. “Is she sick, or is she pregnant?”
The moment her words hung in the air, the air stiffened, like the weight of her question was too much to bear.
Chris’s eyes darkened, his voice low as he asked, “What do you know?”
Stephanie didn’t answer immediately. She leaned back in her chair, her tone cool as she replied, “You and she were so open about being at the hospital, in the gynecology department.” A mocking smile tugged at her lips.
Her voice was biting, filled with frost. “Now, you’re talking to me about a bigger wedding. Don’t you think that’s ironic?”
They were supposed to marry in just a week. The thought of it, mixed with everything else, made something inside Stephanie crumble.
He made another woman pregnant,
and now he was
here talking about the wedding with Stephanie.
Is he really playing both sides to her cut him off?‘ Stephanie’s eyes were steely, her resolve
face? Thinking I won’t unshakable.
Chris’s face grew even darker, his voice hushed, almost desperate. “She’s not pregnant. She’s sick.”
Stephanie’s gaze was unwavering, cold as ice. “Sick? And you’re the one taking her to the hospital? Am I missing something?”
Her question hung in the air, sharp and unforgiving. Chris’s expression darkened further, and his fingers absently traced the edge of the desk.
Stephanie couldn’t bear to look at him any longer. She stood up and walked to the door.
As she moved, her voice was cold, the words dripping with mockery. “Now that she’s here, she might as well stay. After all, she still has a debt to settle here in Long Harbor, and I’m sure it’ll take long.”
Two years of building a relationship, of calm affection, seemed to collapse in an instant.
Chris had severed his ties with Olivia, but now Stephanie was doing it too, tearing apart what little remained… Her heart was filled with cold resolve, and she wasn’t looking back.
Relationships took work from both sides. There was no point in one person doing all the labor. Stephanie’s heart was heavy with disappointment, but also fierce with anger.
Chris’s voice became hard, carrying a hint of warning. “Don’t make things difficult for her!”
Stephanie’s hand rested on the doorknob, her expression unreadable.
Chris gritted his teeth, voice barely above a growl. “You sure you want to cancel the wedding? Do you really think the Hart family would bail you out?”
The Hart family. The mention of them made Stephanie’s eyes grow even colder, like a chill had settled deep in her bones.
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The Harts were a group of people who couldn’t tell friend from foe.
Stephanie had known for a long time that they were not her safety net, but it didn’t matter.
The Hart family was her bloodline, but it was also where Olivia had grown up.
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11
Years ago, Olivia’s biological mother had worked as a maid for the Hart family. Both she and Stephanie’s mother, Mrs. Hart, had been pregnant at the same time.
Because her unreliable, gambling husband couldn’t provide, Olivia’s birth mother had hoped her child would have a better
life.
So, she switched babies at the hospital after giving birth.
Olivia’s birth mother was heartless. After taking Stephanie away, she never had plans of raising her.
She simply throw the baby girl away like trash.
She kept working as a maid at the Hart family, watching her biological daughter live a privileged life while she stayed by her side.
Three years ago, Mrs. Hart had a car accident, and the truth came out. The hospital revealed that Olivia wasn’t her biological daughter.
The shocking secret stunned the entire family.
A search began for the real heiress.
They eventually found Stephanie,
Chris wasn’t entirely wrong.
ut through the entire process, they always favored Olivia, the one they had raised.
If Stephanie called off the engagement, she would have nowhere to go because the Hart family would never accept her.
Chris stepped forward and grabbed her wrist. “Once she’s better, I’ll send her away, alright?”
His voice softened, almost as if he were trying to calm her.
Stephanie looked at him, her eyes cold. She slowly pulled her hand away.
“Stefi…” Chris inhaled sharply, his face growing even darker.
Stephanie didn’t bother saying another word. She turned and walked out of the office.
The sound of her high heels echoed in the hallway as she walked away, head held high.
Chris, who was always admired by everyone, was so furious his head felt like it was going to explode. He couldn’t believe that Stephanie would actually cancel their wedding.
Everyone had seen how committed she’d been to him these past two years.
With that thought, Chris didn’t chase after her. Instead, he slammed the door shut with a loud ‘bang!’
The secretarial department buzzed with whispers as the loud noise echoed down the hall. Each person had their own thoughts.
Two years ago, the gossip about Stephanie and Chris had caused quite the stir. Back then, everyone assumed Stephanie was
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Chapter 2
trying to steal him away from Olivis
Now that Olivia was back, people were eagerly waiting to see what drama would w
One employee leaned toward another, whispering. “Mice Hari Bark. Abow raw draphanie rocally dearray difer
Another scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Exactly. Two years ago. Mie Hart was practically forend nut by her fours en danja comes back”
Just as Stephanie walked past, she overheard them. She glanced toward the source of the pap
Stephanie clicked her heels sharply as she walked directly toward them.
Caught off guard, the two women quickly fell silent, eyes wide with fear.
Without a word, Stephanie reached out, gripping one of their chins and tilting her head back. The weretary was pre stunning, even.
But the moment their eyes locked, the young woman froze, visibly shaken by the intensity of Stephanie’s que
“Miss… Miss Giovanni,” she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.
Stephanie’s eyes narrowed. “Enjoying my gossip that much?”
The young woman’s face drained of color. “No… no, I didn’t–”
Stephanie released her with a look of contempt. Then, she swept her gaze over the entire department, her eyes like ice
Everyone quickly lowered their heads, afraid to make a sound.
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