Skylar couldn’t post the videos. In this situation, how could she possibly reveal the truth to others?
Noticing the silence on Steven’s end, she said, “I’ll get a lawyer.”
“I don’t think the lawyers in Jipsburg will take your case, Skye. The legal team the Williamses hired is top-tier. Even their PR team is world-class,” Steven’s voice was heavy, his concern evident. He knew how difficult it would be to fight them.
Skylar stood still, the phone gripped tightly in her hand. If anyone had seen the tightness in her fingers, they’d have recognized the anger, the raw emotion behind it.
“What if you went to your biological parents and showed them the videos? They might be able to help you, or at least keep this from becoming an even bigger issue,” Steven suggested, his voice tentative.
He knew this wasn’t an easy thing for Skylar to consider. She had long severed ties with Jeffrey and Sadie, and given how they had sided with Maisy in the past, it seemed like an impossible option. To go back to them now, to trust them—Skylar didn’t want to even think about it.
But Steven was worried, helpless in his inability to make things right for her. Skylar’s eyes reddened, a soft sob threatening to escape. But she swallowed it back and spoke, her voice steady though strained. “I’ll think about it. Don’t worry about this for now, Steven. I know you’ve been dealing with a lot lately. This isn’t a major issue. I’ll handle it. I’m not a child anymore who cries at every problem.”
She was trying to comfort him, even though it hurt to say those words. She should’ve been able to resolve everything herself, but instead, she felt like she was dragging her family into more trouble.
After the call ended, Steven couldn’t help but let a few tears slip. He wanted so badly to protect her.
Skylar was about to put her phone away when it rang again. It was Charles this time. She gave him a quick rundown of what had happened. As always, Charles was ready to rush over, but Skylar refused. “You don’t need to come, Charles. I can handle it. Focus on your work.”
The call ended, and she glanced at the time. It was already half-past six.
Skylar changed quickly and went downstairs, trying to distract herself. She opened the refrigerator and found a tub of yogurt. She added some oatmeal and ate quietly, the actions mechanical as her mind wandered back to the situation with her parents.
Right as she finished, her phone buzzed again—it was Sadie.
Skylar hesitated, staring at the screen. Sadie’s name was a sharp reminder of everything that had gone wrong, and Steven’s words echoed in her mind. Should she give them another chance? Should she even try?
She finally answered, her voice cool but steady. “What do you want?”
Sadie’s voice came through, overly sweet and condescending. “You’ve finally answered! Have you realized your mistake? You’re a daughter of the family, after all. We’ll forgive you this time if you apologize. The things on the internet will blow over eventually.”
Skylar’s breath hitched as Sadie continued, almost smug. “Your father and I will send you overseas temporarily. You should lay low and stop causing trouble. Do you understand?”
Skylar’s anger flared, her grip tightening on the phone. “The photo is real. I have videos of them at the mall.”
Sadie’s shock was evident. “What did you say? It’s real? That’s impossible. Maisy is virtuous—unlike you, who lived with Christopher so mindlessly.”
Skylar scoffed, her voice cold. “Did Maisy tell you that too? You should check your WhatsApp messages.”
Her words cut deep, and the bitterness in her heart grew stronger. Maisy had no shame in twisting everything to her advantage, as always.
The call ended abruptly, and a few minutes later, Sadie called again.
Skylar answered without hesitation. “Have you watched the videos?”
Sadie’s voice was tight now, trying to control the situation. “Maisy needs a happy marriage in the future. This could ruin her chances, Skye. Let’s just put an end to this. I’m not asking you to apologize. But you can’t bring this up with anyone else. Let’s just say that Maisy owes you for this. I’ll talk to your dad, and we’ll make sure you’re compensated. They were just a little too close… they’re not really involved with each other.”
Skylar’s voice dripped with contempt. “So, you’re saying that even though they kissed, they’re not involved? I can’t believe the values you have, Mrs. Williams. You always try to make excuses for them.”
She shook her head, her heart heavy with the realization that she’d been right all along. There was no point in expecting anything from them. They were all the same.
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