Chapter 7

Chris walked to the couch and sat down, pulling a cigarette from the pack as if it were second nature. Before he could light it, Stephanie swiftly intervened, snatching the cigarette and tossing it into the trash.

Chris's face darkened. "What the hell are you doing?" He'd never been treated so rudely, especially not by a woman. Olivia, his former companion, never questioned his actions. She simply complied.

Stephanie clapped her hands, closing the trash can lid with a soft thud. "Sorry, I just don't like the smell."

Chris stood frozen, his mouth agape. Gentle memories of Stephanie clashed with the cold indifference now etched on her face. He decided to let it go, for now. His thoughts turned to the morning's news; the Ashford family's phones would be ringing off the hook.

His tone softened. "The news today… was it Ella who sent it out?"

He hadn't believed Stephanie's initial wedding cancellation threat; he'd dismissed it as another tantrum. But this felt different, far more serious.

Stephanie remained silent, retrieving a small piece of cake from the refrigerator and eating it as if the conversation were inconsequential. She hadn't eaten enough at lunch and was famished after shopping with Ella.

Chris watched, his frustration simmering. Her dismissive behavior pushed him to his limit. He slammed the refrigerator door shut. "The wedding's supposed to be between the two of us," he said, his voice tight with annoyance. "Why do you have to make it a public spectacle?" Private venting was one thing; this public display was another.

He searched for a reason to forgive her, anything to make sense of it all.

Stephanie chuckled, amusement gleaming in her eyes. "Are you serious? Do you really think the wedding is just between the two of us?" She wished it were that simple. Things would be so much easier.

She gave him a cold, dismissive look. "Either way, even if I keep it quiet, someone else will spill the beans. It's better if I take control of the narrative."

Chris froze, instantly understanding the "someone."

He couldn't resist. "You shouldn't always think so badly of Olivia," he said defensively.

Stephanie smirked, taking a spoonful of cake. "If she wasn't so bad, why did you have to kick her out of the country for protection two years ago?"

Chris's face flushed crimson. The events of two years ago were a painful, rarely mentioned part of his past. Stephanie's reminder darkened his expression.

"That was different," he muttered through clenched teeth. "You were relentless back then. If Olivia hadn't left, I'm afraid you would have really sent her to prison."

Stephanie took another bite of cake, barely looking at him. "Yeah, I would have."

Anger simmered beneath Chris's surface, but he controlled it. He couldn't lose his temper yet. He felt disgusted by Stephanie, realizing her constant outbursts had landed her in this mess with the Hart family. But now wasn't the time to press her; he needed the wedding to happen.

His expression softened. "Olivia's just sick. Once she gets better, we'll send her away."

Stephanie gave him a cold, piercing glance, remaining silent.

Chris pressed his point. "Your parents won't let you keep causing a scene. If this keeps up, it'll only make your life harder." He knew the Hart family's leverage over her. He suspected her card was already frozen.

Shifting the conversation, he looked around the house. "How long's the rent on this place been paid? When's the next payment due?" He remembered this was a place she'd rented after leaving the Hart family. Cloudridge Valley wasn't cheap; her unit likely cost at least ten thousand a month. His point was clear: she couldn't afford to act on a whim.

Unexpectedly, Stephanie leaned back, spoon in hand. "You should leave now."

Chris's eyes narrowed.

Before he could respond, his phone vibrated. It was Olivia. Without moving from Stephanie, he answered. "Olivia."

Stephanie understood Chris's mindset: he likely believed a dependent spouse had no right to demand respect. But she found him incredibly dim-witted. He claimed to not want to break up with her, yet here he was, brazenly answering a third party's call right in front of her.

Chris's true nature was exposed. For two years, he'd worn a facade, and now it was gone. She didn't hear the conversation, but Chris stood, his face stiff. "Don't worry, I'll be there soon."

After hanging up, he turned to Stephanie. His eyes scanned her face, devoid of any clear emotion. He sighed, his tone sharper. "What I said earlier—think it over. No matter how much of a scene you make, you can't steal the spotlight. Everyone will be focused on Olivia's illness right now." He was warning her that causing a spectacle was pointless.

Stephanie didn't respond. She walked to the entrance, casually picking up the shopping bags from her outing with Ella. They were from high-end brands.

Chris stared at them, confused. He hesitated, then asked, "You still have money to go shopping?" His tone was a mix of disbelief and curiosity. He'd assumed the Hart family would punish her, but these bags suggested otherwise. He knew how they operated: they'd freeze her card for ten days or more to remind her of her dependence.

Stephanie looked at him, unfazed. "Yeah, I've got money to shop. What's the problem? Call the police, arrest me if you want."

Chris blinked, completely stunned. He'd never realized how effectively Stephanie could infuriate him.