Chapter five

Stephanie was pissed.

She didn’t have time to dwell on her anger as her family’s estate came into view. Her hands shook violently and it really occurred to her how serious this was. Not only did she not want to disappoint her mother, she also didn’t want to give Claire the satisfaction of knowing she still loved Matt. It just wouldn’t do. 

“I’m begging you.” The words came out in a whisper. “Don’t let me down.”

Rolland was silent. For some reason, she couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes. It was already embarrassing enough that she was begging him; she didn’t want to see the mocking look she was sure he had.

The car that had picked them up at the airport stopped, and Stephanie knew it was now or never. This was it. Everything depended on Rolland.

Their bags were carried into the house by male servants who suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Stephanie hoped it wasn’t overwhelming for Rolland. She’d purposely forgotten to mention her parents were rich because she wasn’t sure if he’d wanted money. Mayhap he was looking for a way to make more money. A gigolo, perhaps? Grace hadn’t exactly stated what it was he did for money. One look at him had the thought flying out the window. No, she affirmed, he didn’t look poor. But then again, it had never been hard to act rich.

Her mother came out from the wooden doors. Rolland grabbed her hand almost immediately, plastering a very convincing smile on his lips. Really, it was amazing how his entire face lit up. They walked up the stairs to the front door so the woman wouldn’t have to climb down.

“Darling,” She cooed, and it wasn’t hard to see how pleased she was. “I’m so glad to see you.”

“You too, Mom.” She meant the words.

Rolland didn’t let go of her hand, so she wrapped her other hand around her mother. Why didn’t he let go of her hand? Her mother pulled away, looking from her daughter to the man next to her.

“Now, who do we have here?”

*****

Rolland was a fucking charmer. 

Her mother had taken to him instantly, drawing him to her side and into the house. Stephanie had been left behind to follow, stunned. He’d flashed her mother an award-winning smile, and the woman had all but melted. Jesus, even she hadn’t been able to make her mom beam that hard.

The entire family was present, meaning they were the last to arrive. Her mother’s older sister, Aunt Emma, was there with her husband and her twin boys: Benjamin and Benedict. Benjamin had a five-year-old daughter, Olivia, whom Stephanie completely adored. No one knew who her mother was because Benjamin wouldn’t say. Eventually, they stopped asking.

Aunt Phoebe was much younger than her mother, closer to Claire’s age. She’d come unexpectedly, according to her older sisters, and it had been too late for grandma to get rid of her. Stephanie knew they were joking; her aunt was a complete delight, and she never seemed to lose her youthful exuberance even as the years went by. Her husband was there too, Mitch, with their nine-month-old baby. Stephanie loved them dearly.

And then there was Claire. Her sister didn’t look too happy to see her in her opinion. There was so much that went unspoken between them, so much bitterness. They’d never really been close. Growing up, she’d been the younger sister no one noticed, always on the sideline, shadowed by her older sister. Claire had been the opposite. Three years older, she projected confidence on another level. Stephanie wouldn’t say she’d been timid or naïve, only that her sister managed to get everyone's attention on herself so much that Stephanie altogether stopped trying to be seen or heard and just went with the flow.

Beside her was Matt. So he was her boyfriend now. It was the first time they’d met since she’d caught them both. While he looked somewhat guilty, Claire’s head was held high, daring Stephanie to make a move. She knew it would be tragic for Stephanie to bring up what happened right here in front of the entire family, and yet she was baiting her.

Well, Stephanie wouldn’t take it. Not when she had a handsome, brooding, hot piece of meat pretending to be her fiancé. After getting pleasantries out of the way, “Everyone, I would like you to meet my fiancé, Rolland.”

She made sure to make the ring on her finger visible enough for everyone to see. Though she hadn’t acted like it on the plane, she couldn’t deny she absolutely adored the jewelry. It was beautiful. It was a diamond snowdrift ring, with a flurry of white diamonds that crescendo towards the stunning focal diamond. He’d known her size too. The ring had fit perfectly.

Stephanie didn’t want to think of how much it’d cost Rolland and how he planned on getting his money back. She focused on the shocked faces of her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend. The smile on her own face wasn’t even fake. She was pleased beyond measure. She considered herself a very reasonable and clear-headed person, but there was no denying it; revenge felt good. 

Something told her she was going to have an extremely fruitful week.