Chapter 148

The next morning, as promised, Penny sent the developed photos over in the mail. She’d tucked them away into a pleasant little

envelope, hiding away its dark.

interior.

She'd added a little note inside, “I got the photos developed! I'll send the digital copies to you soon as possible.”

I held it to my chest, a sense of anticipation and dread mingling within me. The photos were our ammunition, our evidence, but

they were also destructive. “Thank you, Penny.”

Awhile later, I met up with Scarlett in town square. The moment she saw the envelope in my hand, her eyes sparkling with

curiosity.

“I wish I'd known about this private detective of yours sooner, Evie,” Scarlett remarked, her tone teasing.

“She’s more a like a reporter,” I clarified, returning the smile.

Not wasting any more time, she took the envelope and broke the seal, pulling out the developed photos of Andy and Stella.

“Brace yourself,” I told her.

Scarlett leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. As she examined the photos, her eyes widened, and a mischievous smile began to

creep across her face. “Oh, my goodness. This is scandalous!”

My heart sank as I watched Scarlett’s reaction. She was reveling in the scandal, seemingly unfazed by it.

When she saw my reaction, her smile faded. She looked at me, her eyes searching mine. “If it helps, just know that this will help

Timothy as well. He deserves to know the truth about the woman he is about to marry.”

“You're right,” I said, tucking the photos away.

I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for what was about to unfold, for the chaos. that would inevitably follow the revelation of

the scandal. But we had come too far to turn back now.

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Chapter 148

“Let's be prepared for whatever happens, I added. “Because this could blow up in our faces.”

In an odd turn of events, I found myself on the way to Stella’s dress fitting. I had agreed to come along with Scarlett as she

pretended to be invested in her sister’s wedding preparations. There was no real reason for me to be there, but Scarlett had

insisted (or rather forced) me to accompany her.

“I need someone to keep me sane,” she said casually, pulling up to the building. “Besides, you're like my best friend.”

quirked an eyebrow, a humous smile emerging. “A best friend that’s helping you sue your sister?”

She nodded, stepping out of the car. “Good friends don’t like Stella. Best friends want to ruin her.”

With that, she slammed the door behind her and waved me along. As we entered, our view was obscured by pillars of fluffy white

gowns and intricate frills. It was like a maze to get to the center, but it wasn’t too difficult as we followed the sound of Stella’s

shrill voice.

“No, that one’s so 1800’s. Give me something fresh and a little more provocative. I’m not a nun!”

Coming around the corner, we saw Stella surrounded by a group of women. It didn’t take long for her to notice us approaching,

and her eyes bugged when they landed on me.

“Evie?” She curled her lip and cast a glare at Scarlett. “Well, look what the cat dragged in.”

“Oh, I do love cats,” Scarlett muttered, her fingers curling around my arm. “I figured I'd bring company, if you don’t mind?”

“I do,” Stella stated firmly. “Especially if it's her. Why are you even here, Scar?”

Scarlett walked closer, practically pulling me along as my feet dragged on the polished floor. “I wanted to see what you’d be

wearing. I guess Mom’s dress didn’t fit?”

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Scarlett patted her stomach, indicating Stella’s pregnancy. I did recall Stella saying she was in a rush to find a fitting dress,

though it didn’t look like her pregnancy was showing yet. Stella turned red at the mention of it.

“It wasn’t my style!” she said quickly, then glared at the other women around her. “Lee, help me get this damn dress off already!”

One of the women. Lee, rushed up and helped Stella with the zipper on her dress then helped peel it away. I looked away,

feeling slightly invasive by seeing Stella down to her underwear. Right as she'd tossed it to the side, a worker emerged from the

labyrinth of dresses with a pink tinted gown.

Stella’s previous concern for our presence quickly withered upon seeing it. She tore it from the dressmaker’s hands and ordered

her friends to help her squeeze into it.

As Stella twirled in front of the mirror, a pleased expression on her face, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of bitterness. She looked

stunning in that wedding dress, the delicate lace and intricate beading accentuating her modelesque body.

I kept my emotions hidden behind a facade of polite enthusiasm as Stella tried on various accessories and veils. But deep down,

my heart was heavy, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of bitterness that had settled in my chest.

As we waited for the seamstress to make a few adjustments, Stella turned to me, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. “You know

you're not invited to my wedding, right?”

I forced a smile, my voice carefully neutral. “I just wanted to be supportive, Stella. It’s an exciting time for you, after all.”

Stella’s gaze lingered on me for a moment, as if she were trying to decipher my true intentions. “You're so weird.”

Before I could respond, the seamstress finished the adjustments, and Stella turned her attention back to her dress. The

bitterness within me continued to simmer, growing stronger with each passing moment. I couldn't help but wonder about Timothy.

Was he ata suit fitting now?

“I think the hints of white still give you a virginal essence.” said the dressmaker. tugging at the silk, white train behind Stella.

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I snorted, observing the slight swell in her stomach. “Yeah, virginal...”

Stella froze, her appalled eyes locking onto mine. The room fell silent and the air grew cold. I had spoken just a bit too loud.

She finally broke the silence, her voice dripping with an unpleasant sweetness. “Evie, can I speak to you for a moment?”

I nodded, my heart pounding, as I followed her to the back of the shop and into a supply room. After shutting me in, Stella turned

to me, her fists clenched.

“Give me one good reason for why I shouldn't kick your ass right here,” Stella demanded, her voice low and threatening.

I took a deep breath, my initial fear giving way to a sense of defiance. “Seeing you prepare for your big day just...really upsets

me. I mean, with everything you and Andy have been through, I never would’ve guessed you'd settle for Timothy.”

I watched Stella closely, her vulnerability shining through for a brief moment. “What are you talking about?”

I reached into my purse and pulled out the small envelope. “I have an interesting set of photos here.”

Stella’s eyes widened as I opened the envelope containing the physical copies of the scandalous photos. I shuffled through

them, showing each scandalous shot

after the next.

“What is this?” she hissed.

I locked eyes with her, my voice steady. “It’s evidence, Stella. Evidence of what's been going on between Andy and you. I'd

argue that Timothy deserves to know the truth about his future bride, don’t you think?”

Stella screwed up her face, her eyes burning with rage as they scanned over the photos. “How did you get these?”

“It doesn’t matter.” I replied. “What matters is that Timothy deserves the truth, and you owe it to him.”

I tucked the photos into a neat pile and looked up at her, only to catch the unsettling smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. To my

horror, she pulled out a cigarette and lit it, exhaling a cloud of smoke into the air. I nearly choked on the

Chapter 148

acrid fumes as I watched her in disgust.

“Should you be smoking while you're pregnant, Stella?” I asked, my voice laced with disdain.

Stella laughed bitterly, her eyes locking onto mine with a predatory gleam. “The baby won’t matter, Evie. Once Timothy and I are

married, I'll have him under my thumb. I'll have everything I want.”

Her words sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt a surge of anger. I couldn’t stand idly by while she manipulated Timothy and

used a child as leverage. I had to make her see reason, to understand the consequences of her actions.

I held up the photos once more, waving them in her face. “Stella, I have these photos, and I won't hesitate to use them if you

continue down this path. Timothy deserves better, and so does your child.”

Stella’s eyes widened as she stared at the photos, her face contorted with fury. She leaned in, cigarette dangling between her

lips. “You wouldn't dare...”

I took a step closer to her, my voice firm. “I will, Stella. If you don’t back down now, I'll tell him, because he deserves someone in

his life that cares.”

“Oh.” Stella seemed to waver for a moment, her eyes darting between me and the photos. “You mean...someone like you?”

I flinched, almost losing my grip on the photographs at her words. Her gaze grew intense and her snarl softened into a smile, and

she stepped forward, dress trailing behind her.

“Fine, Evie. I'll stop the affair.” She took another step and plucked the cigarette out of her mouth, letting it dangle over my

shoulder. Bits of ash trickled onto my shirt sleeve and I clenched my jaw.

“And perhaps I will let my dear older sister snatch away the one thing I rightfully. deserved in my shitty family,” she gritted out,

baring her teeth. “That, and the handsome, successful Timothy Hayes.”

Before I could process the movement, Stella lunged at me, her hands grasping the photos. With trembling hands and a snarl of

anger, she pulled out a lighter from her pocket and set the photos ablaze.

My heart leaped as I watched the evidence turn to ashes before my eyes.

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