?Chapter 534:


    That was all Ste needed to hear to realize Doreen’s little show had been perfectly timed for Marc’s arrival.


    She gave a weary sigh and a shrug. “Nothing’s wrong with me. It looks like your girlfriend is having a hard time, though.”


    Doreen stayed crumpled on the floor, turning watery eyes up at Marc. “Marc, I can’t move. Please help me. My stomach hurts so much.”


    With a crowd starting to gather, Marc wasted no time helping Doreen back onto her feet.


    No sooner was she upright than she flung herself into Marc’s arms, sobbing and letting the tears flow. “Marc, I just told Ste that I’m expecting, and she shoved me! If something happened to the baby, I would have lost everything!” Doreen hoped her words would make Marc see Ste as heartless, someone who could even hurt a pregnant woman.


    But Marc stepped back, pushing her gently away, his voice frosty. “Stop. Stel would never do anything like that.”


    Both women stared at him, caught off guard by his reaction.


    Doreen’s mouth fell open in disbelief. “Marc, you really don’t trust me? I’m telling the truth. People saw it happen!”


    Marc’s patience wore thin, his frown deepening. “That’s enough. I know what kind of person Stel is. You saw meing and staged the whole thing. I never imagined you could be this maniptive. You’ve let me down, Doreen.” Marc spoke with conviction, a trace of disgust flickering in his eyes as he looked at her.


    The shock hit Doreen hard, freezing her where she stood. She had nothing left to say.


    Marc looked away, unwilling to give Doreen another nce.


    He had once believed Doreen was genuine, unlike all those other women who hid behind lies and games, so different from Haley. Now, it was painfully clear—she was no exception.


    Everything had been an act. They always tried to win his sympathy and point the me at Ste.


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    Only now did he truly see that Ste was the one with real honesty and straightforwardness.


    Ste stood by, watching the drama y out with a hint of amusement. The whole scene felt ridiculous. She never imagined Marc would side with her against Doreen.


    After everything that had happened before, she half expected him to call her cruel or use her of being heartless.


    When had he suddenly learned to see through women like Doreen?


    Marc didn’t get many chances to bump into Ste these days—so now that he had, he wasn’t about to let her walk away.


    He stared at her with what he clearly thought was deep affection and said, “Stel, I believe in you. Everything before—that was on me. I didn’t give you enough trust or love. But I’m changing, I swear. Look at me today—I’m already doing better. From now on, I’ll trust you and no one else.”


    Ste couldn’t help butugh. “Marc,” she said coolly, “instead of standing here making speeches, maybe take Doreen to the hospital for a proper check-up? If something really happens, you and your mom are the ones who’ll be sad.”


    And with that, she brushed right past them. The mall no longer appealed to her. A hot bath and sleep sounded a lot better than sticking around.


    The second Ste walked off, Doreentched onto Marc’s arm like a leech. “Marc, she doesn’t even love you anymore!” she said anxiously. “She doesn’t appreciate you at all! None of this is your fault—it’s all hers!”


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