Chapter 51

Janie’s complexion shifted like the turbulent sea. Estrella, cool as a cucumber, reached into her bag, pulled out her smartphone, and flicked through the gallery before presenting it to Janie with a nudge. “Isn’t that Hunter in the photos?”

With a skeptical glance at Estrella, Janie took the phone, her fingers brushing against the cool screen.

“Just swipe left and right for more,” Estrella prompted with a hint of mischief in her voice.

Janie looked up, then back at the screen, her eyes scanning the images that would shatter her world. In a heartbeat, her face turned ghostly pale, and her body began to tremble, the phone in her quivering hand nearly slipping to the floor.

The photos depicted Hunter, strolling through town with Ruby, dining in quaint cafes, shopping for trinkets, and more importantly, with a pair of twin boys who looked about five or six years old. The images painted a picture-perfect portrait of a happy family of four.

Janie flicked through more photos, each one a knife into her heart – Hunter with Ruby, with her and the children, all taken in foreign lands. Her mind was a whirlwind of disbelief and betrayal.

Hunter and Ruby? Impossible. How could this be?

Ruby was more than just her best friend. She was Janie’s younger cousin, a decade. younger than her. Ruby was always so gentle, and willing to listen to Janie’s advice. Ruby had even claimed to be a die-hard bachelorette, swearing off marriage for life. Yet here she was, already having played house with Janie’s husband, coveting Janie’s very life..

With shaky hands, Janie turned to confront Ruby, who was also there, having been invited. to this fateful gathering.

Ruby, caught under Janie’s furious gaze, swallowed hard and asked with trepidation, “Janie, what’s wrong?”

The moment Ruby finished her question, Janie flung Estrella’s phone at her. “You home-wrecker, you bitch! To think I trusted you like a sister, and you… you seduce my husband. How could you betray me!”

Janie’s voice quivered with rage and disbelief.

Damita and the others were stunned, frozen in place until they snapped out of it and rushed to Janie’s side. “Janie, what’s going on? What happened?”

hold of Janie. “Mom, what’s happening? You’re scaring me.”

able to control her trembling finger, pointed accusingly at Ruby.

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Chapter 51

and they’ve had twins

won’t get away with this.” Janie spat out, her voice seething with

Ruby, was too much for Janie to bear. Even with her flair for drama, this revelation was

a second thought, lunged at Ruby. “You bitch! I’ll tear you

came flooding back, the cryptic hints about what she

to listen to me. Let me explain!” Ruby pleaded, covering her

How could you do this to my mother?” Paula

unable to swallow her pride, joined in, slapping Ruby across

off the hook, Ruby.”

will not let

never meant to hurt you. Hunter and I truly love each other. I never intended to break up your family. I was just envious of your happiness, and Hunter was such a good man. I only wanted to be

Janie and Paula’s fury,

witnessing the chaos, hesitated to intervene, murmuring among themselves about Ruby’s betrayal and ingratitude. Only Damita remained calm, attempting to pull mother and daughter aside. Janie, Paula, whatever it is, can wait until

attention of the entire assembly, turning the gala into

was spiraling out of

and Erin.

apart. Erin, with a face like thunder, barked, “Can’t this

stir, but instead, it was Janie and Paula who

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