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.”


    | 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.”


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


    curiosity.


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


    “She’s more a like a reporter,” | rified, returning the smile.


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


    “Brace yourself,” | 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 | 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,” | said, tucking the photos away.


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


    the scandal. But we hade too far to turn back now.


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    Chapter 148


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


    In an odd turn of events, | found myself on the way to Ste’s dress fitting. | had agreed toe 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 apany her.


    “| 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 Ste. Best friends want to ruin her.”


    With that, she mmed the door behind her and waved me along. As we entered, our view was obscured by pirs 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 Ste’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 Ste surrounded by a group of women. It didn’t take long for her to notice us approaching,


    and her eyes bugged when theynded on me.


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


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


    “| do,” Ste 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. | guess Mom’s dress didn’t fit?”


    2/6


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


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


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


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


    feeling slightly invasive by seeing Ste 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.


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


    stunning in that wedding dress, the delicatece and intricate beading entuating her modelesque body.


    | kept my emotions hidden behind a facade of polite enthusiasm as Ste tried on various essories and veils. But deep down,


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


    Was he ata suit fitting now?


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


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    A


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


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


    She finally broke the silence, her voice dripping with an unpleasant sweetness. “Evie, can | speak to you for a moment?”N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


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


    to me, her fists clenched.


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


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


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


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


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


    them, showing each scandalous shot


    after the next.


    “What is this?” she hissed.


    | locked eyes with her, my voice steady. “It’s evidence, Ste. 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?”


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


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


    | 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. | nearly choked on the


    Chapter 148


    acrid fumes as | watched her in disgust.


    “Should you be smoking while you''re pregnant, Ste?” | asked, my voiceced with disdain.


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


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


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


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


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


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


    Ste’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...”


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


    his life that cares.”


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


    | 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 | clenched my jaw.


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


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


    Before | could process the movement, Ste 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 aze.


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


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