Chapter 23
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Stephanie shot Chris a confused look, her brow furrowed as his icy glare pinned her. “What’d I do now?” she asked, her voice sharp.
Chris’s tone was cold. “Stephanie, she just got back from treatment. Why do you have to be so awful to Olivia?”
Stephanie chuckled and rolled her eyes.
She tossed her phone aside, turning off the screen with a flick. “I’m awful? She was overseas. Didn’t they have hospitals there? Or doctors? Or maybe she couldn’t afford it?
“Why’d she have to come all the way back here? And why’s it gotta be you taking care of her and setting up her treatment?”
Chris’s anger built, each question landing like a punch, making him feel like he couldn’t breathe.
He snapped back, voice low but fierce. “Allison’s treatment plan is important, and you know that. She’s seriously sick, Stephanie. She’s got issues all over her body.”
Stephanie smirked, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, so this illness is super rare? How’s someone her age end up falling apart like that?”
Her words cut, mocking but with an undercurrent of something darker.
Chris couldn’t take it anymore.
Stephanie raised an eyebrow. “Is it from living some unhealthy lifestyle? Or is it just her karma?”
At her age, having that many health problems was definitely rare.
The word “karma” hit Chris like a slap. His face twisted with fury.
“You better shut your mouth,” he growled, his voice barely above a whisper but full of menace.
Then, after a beat, he added, “Call Allison and tell her to come back.”
Chris’s frustration exploded, his voice flat but cutting. He was done arguing.
Stephanie raised an eyebrow again, unimpressed. “And why would I do that?”
She wasn’t surprised Chris hadn’t figured it out. He still didn’t realize that all the feelings she once had for him were long
gone.
And yet, here he was, still acting like he had any say in her life.
Chris’s face darkened, his jaw tightening. “Stephanie, listen–when Olivia gets better, that’s when we’ll get married.”
He paused, his tone hardening. “If you think you can keep playing your little games and dragging this out, go ahead. See if you can handle the consequences.”
Chris‘ anger completely erupted. He became extremely tough and unyielding.
He was sure the Hart family would catch wind of what Stephanie was doing. They’d definitely punish her.
When that happened, Stephanie wouldn’t be able to handle the fallout.
Stephanie didn’t flinch. She shot back, “I can handle it. Can she?”
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12:21 Mon, 3 Mar
Chapter 23
She couldn’t understand where Chris got the nerve to try and threaten her.
With a roll of her eyes, she turned away from him, dismissing him entirely.
Chris’s anger flared. “If anything happens to her, you won’t get off easy.”
“She‘ who?” Grace’s voice sliced through the tension like a knife. Her tone was sharp, her presence commanding.
Furious, Grace marched over to Stephanie and grabbed her arm.
Grace’s eyes blazed as she shot a glare at Chris. “What did you just say?”
Chris was seething, but he tried to explain. “I need to explain-”
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