Chapter 18
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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12:44 Sun, 2 Mar
Chapter 18
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—*
Grace cut him off, her voice frosty. “Did you forget what I told you in the study earlier?”
Her words were laced with disdain.
Seeing the fury in his mother’s eyes, Chris hesitated for a split second.
Grace tightened her grip on Stephanie’s arm, her gaze never leaving Chris. It was a look that could cut steel.
Chris didn’t care anymore. He ignored her completely, turned on his heel, and headed for the door without another word.
Grace wasn’t having it. “Stop right there!”
Chris paused for a heartbeat but didn’t turn around. After a second, he decided it wasn’t worth it, striding out without a word.
Grace’s fury only grew as she watched him go.
When the door slammed behind him, the room fell into an awkward silence.
Now, it was just Stephanie and Grace. Stephanie pulled her hand from Grace’s grip, then took off her diamond necklace. Without a word, she handed it to her.
Grace’s eyes were full of regret. “You don’t have to do this…”
Stephanie cut her off, shaking her head. “You saw how Chris handled things between us.”
Earlier, she had been trying to figure out how to tell Grace there was absolutely no chance for her and Chris.
After all, the Ashford elders had treated her well over the last two years, and she didn’t need to pretend anymore.
Chris had already done all the dirty work for her, making things a lot easier.
Grace nodded quickly, her expression hardening. “Yeah, Chris is the problem. I’ll deal with him. That little brat.”
Grace couldn’t exactly blame Stephanie’s attitude. It was Chris who had messed things up, not her.
She continued, “Stefi, he’s just confused. Please, give him one more chance. I’ll make sure to set him straight.”
Stephanie’s gaze dropped, her voice quiet but firm. “For the past two years, I’ve been giving him chances. It’s one thing for him to visit Olivia abroad, but this–this is different.”
She was done. She swore she’d never give Chris another shot. To even consider it would just be wasting her time.
But Stephanie wasn’t about to come off as petty. She needed to be clear. If they were calling off the wedding, Chris was going to have to carry all the blame.
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Chapter 18
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Grace’s eyes widened when she processed what Stephanie had said about Chris visiting Olivia. “He goes to see Olivia often?”
Stephanie let out a long sigh. “Last month–on my birthday–he was overseas…”
She didn’t need to elaborate. She didn’t want to.
. It was cruel irony–they shared the same birthday. On her birthday, Chris was overseas, celebrating Olivia’s birthday.
His family knew he was out of the country, but they hadn’t thought twice about it, assuming it was for business.
Now, hearing the truth from Stephanie, Grace’s face fell, and her lips trembled with anger.
“That little brat!” she hissed, her hands clenching into fists.
She wanted to call Chris immediately, drag him home, and give him a piece of her mind.
But then, Grace remembered her conversation with Olivia from two years ago. She’d been so clear–Olivia was supposed to stay away from Chris. Now, it seemed like Olivia had no shame, no self–respect.
Grace’s blood boiled.
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