Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Grace still clung to Stephanie, trying to find something more to say.
But Stephanie’s stance was firm, her words cutting. “I’m sorry, but Chris and I just won’t work.”
Grace had said everything she could, but now, facing this rejection, she felt helpless. There was nothing more she could do.
Stephanie gently patted Grace’s hand. “I don’t expect him to dedicate his whole life to me—that would be greedy. But right now, he can’t even give me the basic respect.”
Grace thought about it, and she realized Stephanie was right.
Chris clearly had no intention of hiding his feelings for Olivia, and that was a huge slap in the face to Stephanie.
Even it was her son’s doing, Grace couldn’t ignore that.
With a deep sigh, Grace spoke. “But what are you gonna do? Without Chris, your life in the Hart family is gonna be even harder.”
Grace was trying to remind Stephanie of where she stood in the family.
Though both women despised Olivia, neither could deny that Olivia was the family’s golden child.
Stephanie lowered her gaze, staying quiet.
Grace continued, her voice softening just slightly. “Don’t rush to answer me. I’ll talk to Chris. I’ll make sure he sends Olivia away as soon as possible.”
Grace was furious–more furious than Stephanie at this point.
She just couldn’t understand what hold Olivia had over Chris. What kind of magic did that woman have to make him act this way.
The thought of Stephanie and Chris going their separate ways, with Chris only getting more reckless with Olivia, had Grace on edge.
She squeezed Stephanie’s hand, anxiety creeping into her voice. “The Hart family favors Olivia. If you keep fighting them, your life’s about to get a whole lot harder.”
The message was clear: Please, Stephanie, just give in!
Stephanie could tell Grace meant well, and for once, it felt like Grace might actually be on her side.
But it didn’t matter anymore. Everyone seemed to think there was no place for Stephanie in the Hart family, and the Ashford family was her only shot at any future.
She met Grace’s gaze, her voice steady, unwavering. “No matter how hard life is, I can find a way out. Mrs. Ashford, Chris and I are done. That’s final.”
There was no room for debate. She wasn’t backing down now.
Stephanie didn’t want to leave anyone with false hope.
She wasn’t the type to drag things out, either.
The longer it went on, the messier it would get, and she wasn’t about to waste more time.
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Chapter 25
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Grace paused, taken aback by Stephanie’s resolve. “You’re so… independent. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.”
Grace tried to soften her approach, then got tough, but she could feel her composure slipping.
She hadn’t expected Stephanie to be this unyielding. A flicker of annoyance crossed her face.
Stephanie wasn’t interested in dragging this out
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“I’m leaving now,” she said, almost too casually, as she shoved the necklace back into Grace’s hand and turned on her heel.
Grace, still wanting to say something, stared at Stephanie’s determined back.
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Chapter 26
