Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Chris had been talking to Kevin for what felt like forever, but it was the kind of conversation that felt good to get off his
chest.
89%#
He showed up at Cloudridge Valley early for lunch, but both his and Kevin’s calls were straight–up blocked by Stephanie.
No other options left, he went ahead and knocked on her door.
Ten minutes straight, nothing.
His mood, which had been kind of okay earlier, plummeted.
Kevin rubbed his chin, thinking. “You think she dipped out before you even got here?”
The idea of her leaving before him hit Chris like a punch to the gut.
“She left first?” His voice was a sharp, low growl.
Kevin just shrugged. “Maybe you should call Mrs. Ashford?”
Chris pulled out his phone and dialed his mom immediately.
“I just already called her. She’s on her way, his mom, Grace, said, sounding calm as always.
There was a pause, and Chris could hear the confusion in her voice. “Why’re you calling me? Shouldn’t you just call Stefi?”
Chris’s frustration bubbled up. If he could actually get through to Stephanie, he wouldn’t be calling his mom.
But since his mom was already on the line, he forced a sigh and said, “Alright, heading back now.”
He didn’t mention that Stephanie had blocked him–hell, that’d be way too embarrassing to bring up.
Grace’s tone softened, but there was still a little edge. “You’d better apologize properly when you see her, and you better promise me you won’t be seeing Olivia again.”
She went into lecture mode, and Chris could feel his patience running thin.
The whole family was on edge, especially after the news about Olivia’s cancer.
The old–school Ashford elders weren’t about to accept Olivia–she could mess up the family’s future, they thought.
Already irritated from everything going on, Chris wasn’t thrilled about making another big promise to Stephanie. It only pissed him off more.
He hesitated, but finally answered, “This is…”
Grace, who knew him too well, cut him off before he could finish. “Your grandparents said if this wedding falls apart, they’ll never speak to you again.”
Chris froze, the weight of that hitting him. He didn’t realize how much his grandparents were invested in this. It felt like one wrong move, and he could lose them all.
His breath hitched, and he muttered, “Why do they care so much about Stephanie?”
Grace was blunt as ever. “They say a fortune teller told them she’s a lucky star. She’s the one bringing us good luck.”
Chris went quiet for a second.
1/3
Sun, 2 Mar
< 89%#
.
Chapter 16
His grandparents were big shots, respected people in the community. To hear that they were basing everything on some fortune teller’s words–well, it was too much to wrap his head around.
Grace, clearly done with the conversation, said, “Enough talking. Just come back, and remember what I said.”
Before he could get a word in, she hung up.
Chris stood there, staring at the door. It felt like Stephanie had totally won this round.
This woman, who seemed like just a regular person with a shorter fuse, had somehow worked her way into his family’s good graces,
But the thing was, his grandparents didn’t need her to do a damn thing. Just being their “lucky star” was enough to have them wrapped around her finger.
When Stephanie walked in the door later, Chris still hadn’t shown up.
Grace smiled warmly when she saw her, immediately taking her hand. “Good girl. I’m sorry you had to deal with all that.”
“Mrs. Ashford, I brought you a gift,” Stephanie said, holding out a velvet box with a polite smile.
Grace’s heart melted a little at the gesture. It was impossible not to like her more.
“You’re such a good girl!” she said, practically glowing. “I didn’t ask you to bring me anything.”
Stephanie’s thoughtfulness just made Grace like her even more.
Stephanie’s thoughtfulness just made Grace like her even more. In that moment, Grace couldn’t help thinking. The Hart family must be blind if they don’t see how amazing this girl is. Why would they love someone like Olivia more than Stephanie?‘
Stephanie smiled politely, “I thought this brooch would look nice on you.”
Grace nodded, clearly pleased. “That’s sweet. Actually, I’ve got something for you too.”
She took Stephanie’s hand and led her upstairs.
Stephanie had only brought a simple brooch, but Grace immediately handed her a stunning diamond necklace.
When Stephanie saw the necklace, sparkling with diamonds, she instinctively shook her head. “It’s too much. I can’t accept this.”
Grace waved it off. “No, no. This was picked out just for you. I went to Vaudémont with Claire last month, and we each bought one. You and Claire both have one.”
Whether that was true or not didn’t matter. What mattered was that Grace was treating Stephanie like family now.
The gift was symbolic–just like the one she’d given her daughter, Claire Ashford.
After everything with Olivia yesterday, Grace’s gesture was a way to reassure Stephanie.
Still, Stephanie hesitated. “I really can’t accept this.”
With her relationship with Chris at a standstill, she didn’t feel comfortable taking anything from the Ashfords.
But Grace wasn’t backing down. She gently but firmly draped the necklace around Stephanie’s neck.
2/3
Sun, 2 Mar
Chapter 16
*.89%
Stephanie was wearing a low–cut dress that day, and the diamond necklace made her look even more stunning, adding a ⚫touch of elegance that was hard to ignore.
Grace nodded in satisfaction, her smile wide. “See? I told you it was perfect for you. When I saw this necklace, I knew it was meant for you.”
Stephanie sighed, realizing it was easier to just go along with it than argue. “Well, thank you.”
The two of them chatted and laughed as they headed back downstairs, just as Chris walked in.
When he saw the diamond necklace around Stephanie’s neck, he froze.
His mind went blank for a moment. He recognized it.
It was the one Grace had bought in Vaudémont last month, and she had said it was for his future daughter–in–law.
