18.

My eyes never left Riley for one minute.

Even if it meant not enjoying my day.

I wouldn’t let her ruin anything.

The bridal shower was in full swing, laughter and chatter filling the air as games were played. Guess the wedding dress design, Bridal Bingo, Who Knows the Bride Best?—all of it blending into a mix of champagne-fueled fun.

Mum was glowing, basking in the attention, while Marissa ran the show like the socialite powerhouse she was.

“Come on, ladies! Last round,” Marissa announced, her voice full of amusement. “Let’s see who knows Lorelei best.”

Mum laughed, shaking her head as guests shouted out answers to random questions about her favorite foods, colors, and the wedding plans. It was silly, extravagant, and absolutely her.

I tried to enjoy it.

I tried to focus on the games, on the laughter, on the absurdity of watching a bunch of rich women play wedding charades.

But my gaze kept flicking back to Riley.

She sat at her table, perfectly poised, sipping her champagne with an amused smirk.

She looked… chill.

Too chill.

And that bothered me.

She wasn’t snarking, she wasn’t sneering—she was just watching.

Like she was waiting.

I exhaled, tearing my gaze away as Mum clinked her glass, signaling attention.

“All right,” she said, standing in the center of the room, her dress shimmering under the golden chandeliers. “Before we continue, I just want to thank you all for being here. This has been such a beautiful day, and I’m so grateful to have all of you in my life.”

Soft applause followed, but she turned toward me with a knowing smile.

“And you, my darling Evelyn,” she said, eyes full of warmth. “I know you’ve been working on something for me.”

I bit my lip, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

I had spent weeks coding a custom digital planner for her—a high-end, luxury bridal schedule, personalized with every single wedding detail, budget tracker, guest list, and a ridiculous AI assistant that could remind her of every fitting, meeting, and event.

I hesitated before pulling my phone out, mirroring the screen onto the large digital display at the venue.

Gasps filled the air as the sleek, custom interface popped up—a golden, elegant design built just for her.

Mum’s hands flew to her mouth.

“Oh my God,” she whispered.

I swallowed. “It’s for you. Everything you need—florists, designers, events, the whole schedule… all in one place. And I even set it to send automatic reminders, so you’ll never miss an appointment. I am also working on AI invitations for your guest.”

Silence.

Then, suddenly—

“Oh my God!” Mum practically screamed in excitement, clapping her hands. “This is brilliant! Isn’t my daughter just so smart?”

Proud.

She was proud.

My chest tightened as she pulled me into a hug, kissing my cheek before turning to the guests.

“Look at this!” she gushed, showing them the planner like it was the crown jewel. “My daughter built this for me! I have a tech genius in the house, ladies.”

People murmured in admiration, some clapping, some gasping.

Marissa beamed. “Evelyn, darling, this is incredible. I need one of these for my business.”

Mum’s eyes lit up. “You see? I told you, my Evie is brilliant.”

Warmth spread through my chest.

For once, Mum wasn’t talking about status or appearance or how I should dress better—

She was just proud of me.

I smiled, feeling lighter, soaking in the rare moment—

Until a voice cut through the air.

“Well, if we’re doing surprises…”

I froze.

The entire room turned toward Riley, who had now gracefully stood, swirling her champagne glass.

“I have a surprise for my stepmother too.”

The murmurs started instantly.

Whispers.

Isn’t that Riley Caldwell?

Serena’s daughter?

Has she accepted Lorelei quickly?

I turned to Mum. Her posture had stiffened.

Something felt wrong.

Riley smiled sweetly, stepping toward the center of the room.

Her voice was soft. Too soft.

"Did everyone know that my stepmother this beautiful, amazing, tall woman is nothing but a gold-digging, selfish home-wrecking whore?"

Silence.

Dead. Cold. Silence.

Then, the murmurs started.

Did she just say that?

No way…

Is she serious?

Mum's entire body stiffened. Marissa’s eyes widened in pure disbelief. Even the waitstaff, who had been gracefully moving through the venue, froze mid-step.

But Riley wasn’t done.

She smiled, the kind of smile that dripped venom.

“Oh, what? Everyone’s shocked?” she said, looking around. “Come on, you must’ve heard the rumors. My father? Alexander Caldwell? A married man—before this one came along.” She gestured lazily toward Mum. “You see, Lorelei didn’t just steal him. She destroyed a family.”

I sucked in a sharp breath.

I knew Riley hated Mum. I knew she wanted to humiliate her. But this? This was next-level calculated.

My heart pounded.

Mum’s jaw was clenched, her fingers twitching at her sides. But before she could say anything, Riley continued.

“You know the Hayes family, right?” she asked, looking directly at a group of older socialites sipping champagne. “The ones that used to be best friends with my father?”

The murmurs picked up again.

The Hayes? The real estate tycoons?

Didn’t they have some huge money laundering scandal?

Wait—what does Lorelei have to do with that?

Riley’s smirk widened, eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

“Oh, you don’t know? Let me educate you,” she purred. “You see, my wonderful new stepmother wasn’t content with just stealing my father. No, no. She had to push Mr. Hayes wife down the stairs. Yes. Joseph Hayes was married to Lorelei. That's why her daughter name is Evelyn Hayes. Like it was so easy to link the dots.”

A collective gasp rippled through the room.

My blood ran cold.

My mum’s eyes flashed. “That is not what happened.”

Riley tilted her head innocently. “Oh? Then I must be mistaken. Good thing I have evidence.”

I froze.

She pulled out her phone and connected it to the big screen showing images of Maria Hayes. My father's wife who was now walking with a walking stick. 

Then images of when she was in the hospital. How did Riley even get these? 

This happened eleven years ago. 

“And guess what Lorelei now everyone knows who you are. I don't care if it even spoils my dad's reputation. I am live streaming this event and everyone knows you are nothing but a witch.”

I gasped. I looked around for a camera could not find any. 

I didn’t know where she was recording from.

I grabbed my own phone, my fingers moving frantically on the Internet. 

Using her name I found her handle. 

And there it was.

A live video.

Hundreds—no, thousands—of people watching.

I scrolled through the comments.

“Disgusting. These homewreckers think they can get away with anything.”

“She belongs in jail.”

“Trash. You can put a dress on it, but it’s still trash.”

“And she thinks she can just walk into high society? LOL.”

My stomach churned.

I lifted my head slowly.

Riley’s eyes locked with mine across the room.

And she smirked.

She had planned this. All of it.

She wanted to ruin Mum.

And she was winning.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms.

Mum hadn’t moved. She stood there, frozen, watching as Riley flipped through her phone, showing pictures and videos to whoever would look. Guests were whispering, their eyes darting between my mother and Riley, waiting for a response, waiting for some scandalous confirmation.

And Mum?

She said nothing.

That was the part that burned the most.

She didn’t deny it. She didn’t fight back.

Riley laughed, shaking her head. “See? She has nothing to say. Because she knows it’s true.”

I had enough.

I pushed forward, my heels clicking against the marble floor as I stepped up to Riley, standing toe to toe with her.

She lifted a brow, feigning boredom. “Oh, look. The homewrecker’s daughter has something to say.”

I exhaled sharply. “You think being a mean girl is going to get you anywhere?”

Riley scoffed. “Oh, please. You want to lecture me about morals? About playing fair? Let’s be real, Evie—your mother didn’t win my father, she stole him when he was still married to mum.  And I refuse to let her pretend otherwise.”

I inhaled deeply. “You think you know everything, don’t you?”

Her eyes gleamed. “I know enough.”

I nodded. “You know what? Fine. Let’s talk about what you don’t know.”

She tilted her head. “Oh, this should be good.”

I took a step closer, my voice lowering. “You act like my mother is some evil mastermind, like she walked into your perfect family and destroyed it. But have you ever stopped to wonder why she did what she did? Have you ever thought about the kind of life she had to live before she even met your father?”

Riley’s jaw tightened, but I didn’t let her speak.

“You were born with everything, Riley. You don’t know what it’s like to be hungry. To be homeless. To wonder if you’ll even survive another day. But I do.”

She blinked, surprised.

I swallowed hard, my throat tightening. “My mum had nothing. No parents. No education. No safety net. She was twenty-four with a baby and no clue how to survive. She did what she had to do to keep me alive.”

I took a shaky breath. “She became a stripper because it was the only job that would pay enough. Do you think she wanted that life? Do you think she enjoyed it? No. But she had no choice.”

Riley’s smirk was gone now.

The room was dead silent.

“I pushed her down the stairs.” My voice shook, but I said it loud enough for everyone to hear. “And I will do it again. Because she tried to poison my mother.”