Chapter 162


    TIMOTHY POV


    Timothy had been enjoying a rare moment of peace in his apartment, perched on the edge of his


    leather couch, as Duke chased the toy around. The evening sun cast a warm glow through the open


    window, and the soothing hum of the city outside served as a pleasant backdrop to his thoughts.


    As Duke returned the stuffed toy to him, Timothy couldn’t help but talk to him, as he often did. “I


    hope Evie’s doing okay after all that crap with the dress.”


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    Duke cocked his head to the side, his eyes filled with curiosity, but he remained silent, as always,


    letting Timothy pour out his thoughts without judgment.


    Timothy continued, his voice tinged with longing. “I wonder where she is, what she’s doing.


    Hopefully she liked the cake. I mean, she loves banana nut.”


    The memories of her were a bittersweet ache in Timothy’s heart. He had hoped to get to know more


    about her as the days went on, but that seemed less and less. likely. It felt like having part of


    himself torn away, and he was left with a gaping. wound.


    Duke let out an empathetic whine, nuzzling against Timothy’s leg, as if sensing hist inner turmoil.


    Timothy knelt down to stroke the dog’s fur, takingfort in the simple, unconditional love that


    Duke offered.


    “You’re a good listener, Duke,” Timothy murmured, his eyes scanning the walls, as if searching for


    answers in the generic ck and white nature photos. Eventually, he shut his eyes and engaged in


    the momentary bliss..


    This bliss, however, was short–lived.


    With an abrupt swing, the front door burst open, revealing a whirlwind of fiery red hair and an


    exasperated expression. Ste stormed into the apartment as if she owned the ce. She didn’t


    bother knocking; she never did.


    “Timothy!” Ste barked, her emerald eyes aze with fury. “I need your help!”


    Timothy raised an eyebrow as he watched Ste’s dramatic entrance, his peaceful bubble shattered


    into a million pieces. “What’s the problem, Ste?”


    Ignoring his question, Ste strode over to him, her lips curled into a tight frown.


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    She snatched the plush toy from Duke’s eager jaws and tossed it aside, causing the dog to whimper


    in protest. He dashed away as she sat beside Timothy.


    “I need you to help me with the wedding invitations,” Ste dered, her tone brimming with


    annoyance.


    Timothy’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Wedding invitations?”


    Ste shot him a withering look. “Uh, yeah. So people can actually show up!”


    Timothy sighed, getting to his feet and ruffling Duke’s fur. “You can invite whoever you want. I don’t


    have favorites.”


    Ste crossed her arms, her face still etched with irritation. “You have to invite people too, Tim.


    There’s a bride AND groom side.”


    Timothy chuckled, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “My dad and brother don’t


    count?”


    Ste’s temper red, and she jabbed a finger at Timothy’s chest. “You better take this seriously,


    Timothy! You can’t just half–ass this like you’ve done with everything else. There’ll be cameras!”


    Timothy smirked. “Fine, I’ll take it seriously. I’ll even invite someone special.”


    Ste’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Who?”


    Timothy couldn’t resist teasing her. “Evie.”


    Ste’s reaction was explosive. Her face turned a shade of red that matched her hair, and she


    practically spat out her words. “Don’t you dare mention that name!”


    Timothyughed heartily, thoroughly enjoying her rage. “Oh,e on. I was just ying…”


    Ste’s anger escted to an rming level. She advanced on him, her voice a dangerous hiss. “If


    you even think about inviting her, I will personally ensure that she moves to the other side of the


    country, and you will never see her again. Do you understand me?”


    Timothy’s amusement faded, reced by genuine concern at the intensity of Ste’s anger. He had


    never seen her react this viciously before. “Ste, calm down. I was joking.”


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    Ste’s eyes softened, and she sighed heavily, her anger suddenly reced by something akin to


    sadness. She lowered her voice, almost whispering. “Timothy, you have no idea what that woman


    put me through. The pain she caused me, the tears I shed. I can’t bear the thought of her being


    anywhere near our family again.”


    Timothy lifted an eyebrow. The atmosphere in the apartment had shifted dramatically, leaving him


    feeling hallow. The way she voiced her threat made it seem like it held a lot of promise, like there


    was more to Ste’s anger than she had let on.


    “Ste, Timothy began cautiously, “is there something you’re not telling me?”


    Ste looked away, her expression guarded. “I just… I had to do something to protect myself and


    the baby.”


    Timothy grew serious at the implication in Ste’s tone. He leaned forward, his voice gentle but


    probing. “Ste, have you spoken to Evie?”


    Ste’s silence spoke volumes. She finally looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear


    and defiance. “I had to, Timothy. For my sake and the baby’s.”


    Timothy’s heart sank as he considered the possibility of a confrontation between Ste and Evie. He


    prodded further. “What did you say to her?”


    Ste hesitated, her gaze dropping once more. “I just told her that I was pregnant and that I wanted


    her to stay away from our lives. I filed a protective order against. her just to be safe.”


    Timothy’s anger red, and he stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the wooden floor. “You


    did what? Ste, do you have any idea what you’ve done?”


    Ste looked up at him, her eyes welling with tears. “I had to protect us, Timothy. She can’t just


    waltz into our lives and disrupt everything.”


    Timothy couldn’t contain his rage any longer. He pointed towards the door, hist voice trembling with


    anger. “Get out, Ste. I don’t want you here. I can’t even look at you right now.”


    Ste stood up, her voice shaking. “Timothy, you don’t understand. You saw what she did to my


    dress-”


    “You know damn well that this isn’t about the dress!” Timothy shook his head, his face contorted


    with fury.” I need you to leave right now.”


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    She stared at him for a few seconds, testing his resolve. When he showed no signs of wavering,


    she nodded and stood up.


    “Fine. I’ll give you time to cool off, but this is what’s best for us, Tim. Just know that,” she exined


    further as he waved her toward the door.


    As she passed him, Duke let out a low growl, causing her to flinch on instinct as she paused in the


    doorframe.


    Ste turned to Timothy onest time, her voice hoarse. “You know, Timothy, you’re going to have


    to get rid of that rabid dog eventually too. It won’t be safe for our child.”


    Duke barked loudly, a deep, protective sound that echoed through the small apartment. Timothy


    clenched his fists, his anger boiling over. “Get out, Ste. Now.”


    With one final, scornful nce, Ste mmed the door behind her, leaving Timothy alone with his


    turbulent thoughts. He paced back and forth in the dimly lit room, his mind racing.


    Ste’s protective order made things far clearer. Ste was going to try to snatch everything away


    until he was left a shallow husk of what he once was. She could take the hockey away if that was


    what she truly wanted.


    But she had threatened his mother and his dog at that point.


    Threatening Evie was herst error.


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