Chapter 111

Lily bombarded Sean with questions, each one leaving him paler than the last.

"That's enough," Sean said vaguely. "These things are unrelated. You need to stop."

Lily refused to comply. "Sean, we're engaged; our wedding is approaching. Is there anything we can't discuss?"

Sean hesitated. He wanted to confess. The Jason and Grace situation weighed heavily on his mind. His parents, especially lately, worried he still loved Grace and constantly nagged him to avoid her. But he'd long since moved on!

He forced himself to remain silent, yet worried Lily would misinterpret his reticence.

"Lily, there are things I can't say," Sean sighed, taking a deep breath.

Lily stared at him. "Does Zoe's injury have something to do with Grace?"

Sean's surprised silence confirmed her suspicions.

"So it is related to her," Lily continued. "Don't tell me Grace enlisted the help of ex-convicts?"

Before Sean could answer, a voice cut through the air. "Well, isn't that just great. So I was injured because of Grace!"

Zoe limped in. She'd only intended to call her brother and Lily back to the main hall, not to overhear their conversation. Her injuries—broken feet—had been incredibly depressing. Hospitalized and ridiculed by her friends, she hadn't identified her attacker and missed her brother's engagement party. She was furious, believing Grace had orchestrated the attack and wanted immediate retribution.

"Brother," Zoe said ruthlessly, "if you continue to defend Grace, I'll disown you! My foot might never fully heal. Grace had me hurt; I'll cripple her leg, or I'll change my last name!" She produced her phone, seemingly ready to call for help.

"As I said," Sean urged, "leave Grace alone if you want peace."

"Why? Who does she think she is? Do I look afraid of her? Does she think hiring ex-cons is sufficient?"

"Exactly," Lily interjected, supporting Zoe. "Zoe's a Stevens. If she doesn't retaliate, everyone will walk all over the Stevens family."

"You don't understand!" Sean blurted out, his face paling. "Jason's behind Grace!"

The revelation left him, Lily, and Zoe ashen-faced. Jason?

"Impossible!" Zoe exclaimed incredulously. "How could Jason help Grace? She caused Jennifer's death!"

Sean stated plainly, "Believe it or not, it's true. Jason might be interested in Grace. Zoe's injury, and her exclusion from the party, are likely Jason's doing."