The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 573

Secondly, how on earth was she going to explain her previous lie to Oliver?

Suzie's eyes reddened, her hands nervously rubbing together.

Stella, being her usual straightforward self, hadn't quite connected the dots about the dating lie yet. She quickly comforted Suzie. "Hey, don't cry. We've basically found the house, which is the hardest part. We should be smiling! This is happy tears time, right?"

Stella linked arms with her, her voice softening. "When Oliver mentioned it, my heart skipped a beat too. Think about it—if we had just walked up to the first house and shoved the necklace in her face, the poor woman would've gone into shock."

Seeing Suzie's confusion, Stella elaborated. "I'm saying we should follow Oliver's plan. The three of us have known the truth for a while. You, especially, have had time to process it. But to your parents? This is going to be the shock of a lifetime. Imagine finding out you've been raising someone else's kid for decades. How do you think that's going to feel?"

Suzie's eyes and nose were already stinging, and Stella's words sent the tears spilling down her cheeks.

Stella wiped them away, speaking gently. "Look, no matter what, family reunions always start with a lot of crying. But think about the future! In the end, you and your parents are going to be so happy. And if this really is Hayden's family? That's even better! He's already the best brother you could ask for. Let's just go test the waters first, then figure out the best way to break the news. Sound good?"

Suzie nodded blankly, but out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Oliver pacing on the other side of the courtyard.

Feeling a pang of guilt, Suzie leaned in and whispered in Stella's ear. "Stella, I think I messed up again. Look at Oliver... he thinks this is Hayden's house, and you remember I used Hayden as a shield. Is he feeling bad for me? Thinking I accidentally dated my own biological brother?"

Stella waved a hand dismissively. "Just play dumb. I'll explain it to him later. It's fine."

"Are you sure?" Suzie asked anxiously.

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