Chapter 86: Chapter 86

Rachel frowned at Michael. “Even after everything that’s come to light, you’re still defending Yasmin?

“She fell down the stairs on her own. She probably didn’t see properly… She thought it was Stephanie. Also, Jack was lying…” He tried to defend Yasmin, but his tone betrayed his uncertainty.

What was he trying to justify? He was just defending himself by supporting her.

1 knew he would deny any involvement in what had happened to me, no matter how damning the evidence might be.

“Stephanie, I… I thought you were dead. But why are you haunting me? Just leave me alone!” Jack’s words were slurred from drinking before Michael hit him. Now, he was even more agitated.

He wiped blood from his mouth and pointed at Michael. “You’ll pay for what you did, Michael. You should be the one she’s after, not me.”

His words were desperate. “Stephanie, I swear it wasn’t me who caused your death. It was him. He let you die for Yasmin, not me.”

Michael glared at Jack. His hands clenched tightly until his knucklés turned white. It was clear that Jack’s words had struck Michael’s nerves.

“Jack!”

Suddenly, Eva Bailey barged in with a group of people. She was Yasmin’s sister and just as mean. Eva led the bullying against me in school.

Yasmin’s voice choked with sobs, called out from outside the door. “Mike…”

Moments later, she appeared, and a surge of anger rose within me at the sight of her.

Yasmin’s hand was on her belly, and her eyes were swollen with tears. “Mike, I’m not sure if what Jack said is true. I was indeed arguing with Stephie, and then I fell. But that’s all I know…”

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she continued, “Mike, I swear I don’t know.” She tried to sound vulnerable.

Then, she doubled over in pain, clutching her stomach and leaning against the wall. “Mike, my stomach hurts…”

Michael stood perfectly still. His eyes reflected a myriad of emotions as he looked at Yasmin.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she looked at him. “Mike, perhaps this baby… it’s Stephie’s way of making amends with you.

“She couldn’t bring her own child into this world… If she were still here, she’d surely have your child. That’s why we must protect our unborn child for Stephie’s sake.”

I stared at her in disbelief. Could Yasmin, of all people, really be showing empathy?

“You make me sick!” 1 approached and slapped Yasmin. Who did she think she was, causing me such revulsion?

“Who the heck are you?” Eva confronted me angrily.

“Mike…

Yasmin pretended to have a stomach ache and fainted.

Michael rushed over, pushing me aside before swooping her in his arms. I staggered as he whisked her away.

Despite Jack’s revelations, Michael stubbornly held onto his trust in Yasmin, refusing to waver.

“Michael, Yasmin is the one who killed Stephie,” Rachel shouted. “I’ll gather evidence, ensure she’s brought to justice, and face the consequences!”

Michael’s conflicted expression remained unchanged as he glanced at Rachel. With Yasmin in his arms, he didn’t utter a word as he walked away.

“Rachel, you’re quite persistent, huh?” Eva smirked, glancing between Rachel and me. “And you’ve got a partner in crime, too? Is it just the two of you?”

She glanced at the people beside her. “Do you think you can just show up uninvited and start throwing punches? How can I keep my reputation intact if I don’t put my foot down?”

Rachel stood on guard as she eyed Eva, and her group approached. She instinctively tugged me behind her.

Eva attempted to strike me, but her arm was swiftly intercepted.

As I retreated, I stumbled into a solid chest. He pulled me close with one arm, shielding me, fierce gaze bore into Eva.

His voice, deep and threatening, cut through the tension. “Lay a finger on my woman… and I’ll kill you.”

Eva’s eyes widened in fear as she stared at Steven. “You… it’s you! You’re that lunatic, the murderer…”

Upon hearing that, I was surprised and arched my eyebrows at him. “What… how…” It puzzled me why he would come here when he should have been resting at home.