Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Chris climbed into the car, his jaw clenched and his face dark with anger.
Kevin glanced at him through the rearview mirror. “So, how’s Miss Giovanni? Is she over it yet?”
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It was pretty clear to everyone else that Stephanie was just throwing a tantrum, trying to pressure Chris into sending Olivia away again.
Chris rubbed his temples, frustration building. “You think she’s that easy to calm down?”
Kevin thought back to what had caused all this tension.
He had to admit, Olivia’s sudden return without any warning would’ve pissed anyone off.
“Do you think she’s serious about canceling the wedding?” Kevin asked cautiously.
Chris went quiet, unsure how to answer.
He replayed the past two years in his mind..
Then, Chris let out a bitter laugh. “What do you think?”
He couldn’t shake the feeling that someone who really felt that way wouldn’t shut down so fast.
Kevin thought for a moment, then shook his head It didn’t seem likely.
He knew the Hart family couldn’t stand Stephanie. Aside from marrying Chris, she had no backup plan.
Plus, after everything she’d invested in their relationship over the last two years, it seemed real. You couldn’t fake that kind of emotion.
So, Kevin figured Stephanie was just throwing a tantrum–though, admittedly, a pretty extreme one…
*****
Back in Cloudridge Valley, Stephanie was still awake.
She stared at the pile of shopping bags scattered across the floor, her mind drifting back to the credit card she’d accidentally pulled out. Her headache was getting worse by the minute.
It felt like a storm was brewing inside her.
She tried to push the worry aside.
After all, she’d spent the whole morning trying on wedding dresses and shopping with Ella. Her calves were sore from all the walking.
A bath sounded like just what she needed. It started off relaxing, but the moment she stepped out, the doorbell rang urgently.
“Who’s there?” she asked.
She didn’t bother opening the door, just called out.
“It’s me. Open up,” the person answered. Stephanie could tell it was Catlin.
Stephanie swung the door open to find Catlin standing there, dressed in an elegant skirt, a string of pearls around her neck.
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Chapter 8
Her makeup was flawless, but her expression was sharp and unforgiving.
Catlin stepped inside, sitting down with authority. Her eyes locked onto Stephanie, hard and unyielding.
Stephanie closed the door behind her, towel in hand, wiping her hair dry.
Catlin was already angry, but seeing Stephanie lounging around like that pushed her to the breaking point.
“Tell me, what exactly are you trying to do?” Catlin snapped, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. “I told you, Olívia didn’t do it. She just got back, and you’re already attacking her.”
Catlin pulled out her phone, opened it, and shoved the news article in Stephanie’s face. “And this statement about canceling the wedding? Olivia’s my daughter, and your sister! Why do you have to humiliate her like this?
“The whole two now thought she’s the other woman. How could you do that?”
The more Catlin spoke, the angrier she became, her words spilling out in a rush of frustration.
Stephanie, her eyes like ice, tossed the towel aside and met Catlin’s furious gaze with equal intensity.
Seeing the coldness in her eyes, Catlin’s anger flared even higher.
She put on an exaggerated, helpless expression. “You won’t stop until you’ve ruined the reputation of our entire family, will you? Now I really wonder why I ever brought you back.”
Her words, tinged with regret, hit their mark. She was finally admitting what had been weighing on her: her regret for bringing Stephanie back into the family at all.
To Catlin, if they’d never let Stephanie back, none of this would’ve happened.
Everything Stephanie had done lately just proved she was nothing but trouble–a curse on their family.
-After the outburst, Catlin stared at Stephanie, her face hard and completely devoid of guilt.
Stephanie let out a cold, dismissive laugh. “You’re right. You never should’ve brought me back. If you hadn’t, I wouldn’t have ended up in that car accident.”
It was clear in that moment that Stephanie felt more regret than Catlin ever could. Returning to this family had been a mistake from the start.
Catlin, seething with anger, couldn’t even find the words to respond. Her arms trembled, shaking with fury
