Page 5 of Steadfast

Pulling her phone off the nightstand, she began scrolling through her apps. The post from the night before had gone viral, as she knew it would. Her followers were mesmerized by her relationship with Crew. They were currently the internet’s favorite couple, and their names were often trending at the top of the list.

Her eyes flitted to the top corner of her screen, where she noticed the hour ticking away. It was time to get up.

She swiped her hand across the steamy bathroom mirror, and could see by her reflection that making herself anywhere near presentable would be a monumental task.

Nothing a little makeup can’t fix.

Dabbing concealer around her eyes, she hid the dark circles from her lack of sleep. She applied her foundation and a touch of highlighter and used her beauty blender with a touch of blush on her cheeks. With a quick brush of mascara on her eyelashes, her look was complete.

It would have to do.

Pulling on her designer jeans, she tucked in her white button-up shirt that would no doubt be spattered with coffee by the end of the day.

She rechecked the time.

Late.

Oakleigh made the snap decision to throw her wet hair up into a messy bun, and with one last glance in the mirror, she resigned herself.

While stepping into the hall, her phone began to chime with notifications. Curiosity got the best of her as she paused in the hallway and tapped through her apps one last time.

It was a trending post that she had been tagged in like a million times.

Oakleigh slumped, letting out an audible sigh when she noticed that the video she was tagged in had been posted byShayna.

Over the last year, herformerfriend had leaped at the opportunity to use the fuel of Oakleigh’s infamous scandal to propel herself to new heights of online fame and influence.

“Oh, Shayna, what web of lies are you spinning today?” Oakleigh murmured as she tapped on the video. Her stomach roiled when she saw Shayna’s smug face appear on her screen.

The gossip influencer was casually applying mascara in her car while she excitedly gave her followers the scoop.

“Hey there,Shayn–Gang.”

Oakleigh cringed.

Shayna looked absolutely gleeful.

“Have I got the tea to spill today. As we know, the Davenport public relations team has been working overtime to rebrand the family’s image. The one unfortunate collateral damage was, of course, Mia Hollister’s gorgeous beach house. The latest word is that it’s officiallysold.”

Shayna looked crestfallen at the news.

“I mean, I get it. It was Mia’s party, and she was right there alongside Oakleigh, caught in that delicious viral moment, drunk and spilling all the family secrets. Delia Hollister would never stand for her best friend,Harper, being publicly shamed, especially by the likes of her own daughter. The devotion of their friendship really is an inspiration.”

“Speaking of the fabulous Delia Hollister,” Shayna went on. “She and Harper were photographed in public for the first time in ages, and guess who was there too? None other than Mia! Here’s the receipts,” Shayna splashed a photograph onto the screen.

Oakleigh couldn’t help herself. She paused the video, scanning every detail. Sure enough, it was Delia, looking immaculate in her perfectly tailored designer outfit and large sunglasses. Beside her, right in step—was Harper.

Oakleigh felt her stomach turn once again. She hadn’t seen her mother since that infamous Sunday when Harper’s temper exploded into an unintentional public tirade.

She wasn’t sure what to expect, but Harper Davenport looked as crisp as ever in a bright pink suit. Her blonde hair and signature pearl necklace hung around her neck, and she held adesigner clutch in hand. Oakleigh couldn’t help but notice the tight, fresh cosmetic work around her mother’s eyes.

Nothing about her indicated that Shepard’s termination as pastor of Pacific Crest Christian Church had made even a dent in the Davenport’s deep pockets.

The injustice of it all stung.

Mia was beside them and immersed in conversation with Harper. Oakleigh hadn’t seen her friend in months, and the popular young heiress was pristine. Her wavy brown hair was pulled into a tight ponytail. She was wearing trendy designer jeans and a delicate flowing white top, while looking breezy in her giant sunglasses.

Their entourage of assistants trailed behind them, juggling several loaded shopping bags. They wouldn’t dare to drop a single one.

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