Chapter 161

The next morning arrived with a soft, golden glow seeping through the curtains, casting warm patches of light across my room. I stretched beneath the cozy embrace of my covers, momentarily forgetting the weight of the world outside my windows. Aria’s voice, gentle but anxious, broke through the haze of sleep.

“Evie, wake up,” she whispered, poking her head into my room.

I groaned and squinted at the clock on my nightstand, only to realize that it was far too early for anyone to be disturbing my peace. “Aria, it’s the weekend. Can’t I get. just a few more minutes of sleep?”

She hesitated, her gaze flicking nervously between the floor and the doorway. Something was off, and my drowsy mind was suddenly jolted into alertness. With a heavy sigh, I sat up and pushed my unruly hair out of my face. “Alright, alright. What’s going on?”

Aria bit her lower lip, a clear sign that she was about to deliver some unwelcome news. “There’s someone here to see you,” she replied hesitantly.

My curiosity mingled with annoyance as I swung my legs out of bed and reached for my robe. “Who is it? And why the hell are they here so early?”

She didn’t answer immediately, her gaze drifting away as if searching for the right. words.

I rushed out of my room, still blinking sleep from my eyes, as I followed her down. the hallway and into the living room. A sudden sense of déjà vu washed over me, and Aria’s nervousness did little to calm it.

There, perched casually on my living room couch, was Scarlett. My initial surprise quickly gave way to a faint relief..

surge of “What are you doing here so early?” I spat, attempting to calm my rapidly beating heart.

Scarlett rose from her seat,/her eyes wide with concern. “Evie, are you okay? I haven’t heard from you since Stella filed that protective order.“”

Frustration welled up inside me as I clenched my fists. She was relentless, even when her sister was actively tearing down the foundation of my wellbeing.

“Okay?” I scoffed, my voice laced with sarcasm. “Oh, I’m just dandy, Scarlett. Aside from your sister trying to ruin my life, of course.”

Scarlett’s brow furrowed with concern, but her eyes carried a glimmer of suspicion. “You don’t think this is just another one of Stella’s tactics, do you? To halt our case against her?”

I bit my lip, the anger in my chest giving way to a gnawing uncertainty. Scarlett. had a point, and I couldn’t help but wonder if Stella had gone as far as to sabotage her own dress just to spite me. It was a diabolical move, even for Stella, but nothing was beneath her.

“You might be onto something,” I admitted through gritted teeth. “But that doesn’t change the fact that I’m stuck dealing with this mess.”

Scarlett’s gaze intensified, her eyes locking onto mine. “Evie, you know you don’t have to go through this alone, right?”

I sighed, my anger dissipating slightly. I wasn’t about to let my guard down so easily. Stella had taught me to trust no one, not even those I thought were friends.

“Don’t worry, Scarlett,” I replied, my tone more measured. “I can handle Stella in my own way.

There are ways to deal with people like her that don’t involve going through the legal system.”

Scarlett’s expression shifted, her curiosity piqued. “What do you mean?”

I hesitated for a moment. “Stella is all about image and reputation, right? She thinks she can control everything and everyone around her.”

“What did you do?”

Scarlett raised an eyebrow, a glint of intrigue in her eyes. “What did I smirked, feeling a newfound determination bubbling within me. “I might have slipped some incriminating photos in Timothy’s direction.”

Stella took a step back, stunned. “You what?”

“It was for the best,” I said quickly, before she could interject. “I sent him an email this morning telling him all that he needed to know. Once he sees it, it’s up to him.

on how he reacts.”

H She ran her hands down her face, managing not to smear the blush on her cheeks. She began pacing the room, her high heels clicking against the floor.

A 25 “Okay.” She shook her head, as if to clear her mind. “Okay, this is fine. We just need. to move a lot quicker.

Finally, she stopped and walked toward me, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Can I see the document she sent you?”

I hesitated for a moment, then nodded, deciding that there was no harm in sharing it. “Sure, let me grab it for you.”

I disappeared into my room for a moment, rummaging through a pile of papers until I found the dreaded document. As I handed it over to Scarlett, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of vulnerability.

Stella’s power was far–reaching, and I was putting my trust in her, hoping she wouldn’t inadvertently become another pawn Stella’s twisted game.

in Scarlett scanned the document, her eyes narrowing as she read the contents. “This is… harsh, to say the least.”

I nodded, bitterness coloring my voice. “Stella knows how to play dirty.”

Scarlett and I continued to huddle over the lengthy document. After absorbing the infuriating terms, Scarlett leaned back, her expression contemplative.

“This is tricky, Evie. It will be a little difficult having debates with her if you can’t even be in the same room.”

I grunted, propping my chin up on my wrist. I watch her flip through the documents and toss them lazily onto the couch. For a moment, her body is still, as though she were processing something.

Suddenly, Scarlett’s eyes met mine, and a smirk slowly emerged. “And with you spilling the beans on her infidelity, who knows how either of them will react? Do you think he’s seen it yet?”

I checked the clock on the wall. “It was sent around fifteen minutes:

he hasn’t.”

ago, so maybe “Okay.” She nodded rapidly. “You’re going to have to speak to Stella through Timothy from now on, Evie. The order doesn’t state that he can’t be around you, so it’s the only way to avoid violating it.”

My heart sank at her words, and a chill ran down my spine. The mere thought of working alongside Timothy sent shivers through me.

1 11:28 Mon, 25 Mar 4 “You can’t be serious,” I hissed, my voice laced with disbelief. “That could make things worse! She doesn’t even want me to breathe the same air as him. And what if she figures out that I-”

Scarlett placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, her eyes unwavering. “Evie, hear me out. He has a soft spot for you, and he’s protective. Stella won’t do anything that he doesn’t allow.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Besides file protective orders.”

“That I’m sure he doesn’t know about. Those two aren’t all that close,” Scarlett assured me.

I shook my head, unable to fathom what Scarlett was suggesting. “I can’t work with him, Scarlett. It’s out of the question. I’d rather face Stella head–on than put myself through that.”

Scarlett’s gaze turned pleading, and she leaned closer, her voice a whispered. entreaty. “Evie, you have to think about what’s best for you in the long run. Stella has painted you into a corner, and this might be the only way to regain some control over the situation.”

The anger that had surged within me now battled with a growing sense of dread. Scarlett had a point; Stella had orchestrated this situation precisely to manipulate me. But relying on Timothy felt like an unbearable compromise.

“Evie,” Scarlett continued, her words carrying a note of urgency, “you can’t let Stella win. You’re strong, and you’ve faced worse. I know that Timothy is on your side, so he’s also your best chance at navigating all of this.”

I sighed, frustration and fear clawing at my resolve. “Fine, I’ll consider it.”

Scarlett gave me a pleasant smile. “That’s all I’m asking, Evie. We’ll figure this out.”

I followed Scarlett as she gathered her things and walked toward the door. Just as she stepped past the threshold, she flashed me a tired but genuine smile.

“We’re in this together, Evie. I promise I’m on your side.”

With a nod, Scarlett made her way out the door, and as it closed behind her, I felt a pang of weariness. I wanted to trust her, but my judgement had proven to be faulty in most cases.

A As a distraction, I began to tidy up the living room. After a while, Aria emerged from her room, her eyes curious. “Who was that?”

I grabbed a stack of books and shoved them one by one into the bookshelf. Aria came closer, practically breathing down my neck.

“Who was she, Evie? She had a familiar face…”

I glanced at her. “Oh, that’s Scarlett. My client.”

Aria’s brows furrowed, her curiosity unabated. “Oh. Is she a model?”

I sighed and turned to face Aria. “Actually, no. She’s Stella’s sister.”

Aria’s eyes widened in shock, and her voice trembled with disbelief. “Stella’s sister? You’re representing Stella’s sister!?!”

I nodded, the gravity of the situation weighing on me. “Yes, I am. Scarlett reached out to me a while ago, and I couldn’t turn her away. She’s caught in the middle of this mess too.”

Aria’s eyes widened and she drew away, hands running through her hair. “Is she at least nice?”

“Yeah,” I said softly.

“And you can trust her?” she pressed.

“Honestly,” I began, heaving a sigh, “I want to belief that she is, but if she’s even remotely thinking of betraying me, she’d be shooting herself in the foot. I’m her lawyer, after all.”

Aria’s eyes softened. “I hope you’re right.”