Michelle hung up after delivering her threat.


    Stefan stood frozen, his body tense with despair.


    No matter what he did, it seemed he could never truly escape the Snowdens.


    If it weren''t for them, he wouldn''t be able to pay for his mother''s treatment. Yet, they were the people he hated most. He despised them.


    He also despised his mother, Lily. If she had never given birth to him, he wouldn''t be trapped in this nightmare, stuck in the mud with no way out.


    And yet... she was the only person who had ever shown him kindness.


    That fragile thread of family-thin and fraying—still tugged at his heart, holding him back. Even though it hurt, he couldn''t bring himself to sever it.


    Vrie had just returned home when her mother called her over. She changed into her house slippers and sat beside her.


    "Vrie, when are you and Brandon getting married?" Phoebe asked.


    Vrie frowned. "Mom, we haven''t even discussed that yet."


    "You''re not getting any younger." Phoebe huffed. "You rejected every guy we introduced you to, and now that you''ve found someone on your own, you still won''t settle down? What exactly are you waiting for?"


    Vrie looked down, silent.


    Phoebe''s frustration grew. "You always do this! Do you think ignoring the problem will make it go away?"


    "No," Vrie said tly. "But apparently, marrying someone just for the sake of it will. You just want me to marry anyone. Everything else doesn''t matter."


    "We just want what''s best for you! Your father and I aren''t getting any younger. We don''t know how much longer we''ll be around. Can''t you at least let us see you settled before we go?" Phoebemented.


    "So I should get married just to put your minds at ease?" Vrie shot back.


    "You!" Phoebe''s face flushed red with anger. "I don''t care anymore. You either get married this year, or I''m done worrying about you!"


    With that, she stormed off.


    Vrie stood up to go to her room when her phone buzzed.


    She was surprised to find a message from Stefan.


    Stefan: [Veevee, do you have time tomorrow night? I thought about it, and I really should treat you to a


    meat, if your boyfriend is free, he''s If wee to join us.]


    Vrie replied as she headed upstairs.


    Vrie: [That''s not necessary. It''s the thought that counts.]


    Stefan: [It''s thest time, I promise After this, I won''t bother you again. Your birthday''sing up, too wanted to give you your present early.


    Vrie hesitated before agreeing.


    A momentter, Stefan sent her the time and location. Stefan: [I booked this restaurant. Hope you don''t mind.]


    Vrie: [I don''t. I''m going to get some rest now. Talk soon.] She put her phone down and leaned back on the couch.


    It had been over two weeks since theyst spoke. Stefan''s messages, felt distant more formal than before.


    Vrie sat there for a while, lost in thought, before getting up to wash up.


    The next evening, Vrie drove to the restaurant.


    Just as she was about to step out of the car, her phone rang. It was Brandon.


    He had been away on a business trip, so she hadn''t mentioned this meeting to him. "Vrie, what are you doing right now?" he asked.