Chapter 8
Chris climbed into the car, his jaw clenched, his face dark with anger. Kevin glanced at him through the rearview mirror. “So, how’s Miss Giovanni? Is she over it yet?”
It was clear to everyone that Stephanie was throwing a tantrum, trying to pressure Chris into sending Olivia away again. Chris rubbed his temples, frustration mounting. “You think she’s that easy to calm down?”
Kevin considered the source of the tension. He had to admit, Olivia’s sudden, unannounced return would have angered anyone. “Do you think she’s serious about canceling the wedding?” Kevin asked cautiously.
Chris was quiet, unsure how to answer. He replayed the past two years in his mind. Then, he let out a bitter laugh. “What do you think?” He couldn’t shake the feeling that someone truly feeling that way wouldn't shut down so quickly.
Kevin thought for a moment, then shook his head. It didn’t seem likely. 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 genuine. You couldn’t fake that kind of emotional investment. So, Kevin concluded Stephanie was merely throwing a tantrum—though, admittedly, a rather extreme one.
Back in Cloudridge Valley, Stephanie was still awake. She stared at the scattered shopping bags, her mind returning to the credit card she’d accidentally displayed. Her headache worsened 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 morning trying on wedding dresses and shopping with Ella; her calves ached from all the walking. A bath seemed the perfect remedy. It began relaxing, but the doorbell rang urgently the moment she stepped out.
“Who’s there?” she called out without bothering to open the door.
“It’s me. Open up,” the person replied. Stephanie recognized Catlin’s voice.
Stephanie opened the door to find Catlin, elegantly dressed in a skirt and pearls. Her makeup was flawless, but her expression was sharp and unforgiving.
Catlin entered, sitting down with authority. Her eyes locked onto Stephanie, hard and unyielding. Stephanie closed the door, towel in hand, drying her hair. Catlin was already angry, but seeing Stephanie lounging around pushed her over the edge.
“Tell me, what exactly are you trying to do?” Catlin snapped, arms crossed tightly. “I told you, Olivia didn’t do it. She just got back, and you’re already attacking her.” Catlin produced her phone, displaying a news article to Stephanie. “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 town now thinks she’s the other woman. How could you do that?”
Catlin’s anger escalated, her words tumbling 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 Stephanie's eyes, Catlin's anger flared even higher. She adopted 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 admitted her regret for bringing Stephanie back into the family. Catlin believed that if they’d never welcomed Stephanie back, none of this would have happened. Everything Stephanie had done lately proved, to Catlin, that she was nothing but trouble—a curse on their family.
After the outburst, Catlin stared at Stephanie, her face hard and 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 then that Stephanie felt more regret than Catlin ever could. Returning to this family had been a mistake from the start. Catlin, seething with anger, was speechless. Her arms trembled with fury.