Chapter #73

The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. Paul, the one I had trusted, had betrayed me. The shadow I saw at the bakery last night was indeed him. He had overheard our conversation and relayed it to Victoria. Robin was right about him all along. He was a manipulator, exploiting my vulnerabilities for his own gain.

Victoria broke into my thoughts, her voice laced with triumph. "What are you thinking, Stassie? Still thinking about telling Eden the truth? If yes, then you should listen to this first," she said, a smug smile playing on her lips. She pulled out her phone from her pocket and hit play. The familiar voices filled the room - our voices from last night's conversation. I felt my heart drop into my stomach. I was in utter shock.

The room spun around me as the reality of the situation sunk in. I had been played, and the consequences were unimaginable. The feeling of betrayal was overwhelming, and the shock was paralyzing.

Victoria's threat hung in the air, a chilling ultimatum.