Chapter 148

Lunch with Ella barely concluded when Stephanie returned to the studio—and sure enough, Elliot had already given Tyler the complete file on his side piece. Velvet. Just as the rumors predicted. The file even included her address and phone number.

Before Stephanie could enter her office, Jennifer blocked the doorway. "Boss, I called you three times. Why didn't you answer?"

"My phone was on silent. Why? Did something blow up?"

It was after hours—what could possibly be so urgent? Everyone at the studio knew Stephanie had a strict no-overtime policy.

Jennifer offered a significant look. "Mrs. Hart is here."

Stephanie's smile vanished. Catlin. Again? Fantastic. The woman clearly wouldn't take a hint. If Stephanie didn't make her intentions crystal clear soon, Catlin would continue to appear like an unwelcome rash. She still refused to sign the disownment papers; this woman was truly something else.

"How long has she been here?"

"Two hours."

Stephanie whistled softly. Persistent. This was undoubtedly about Olivia again! The memory of Olivia's smug text earlier made Stephanie's fingers twitch.

She was about to enter her office when her phone rang. Sebastian. She answered, and his warm, lazy voice, as if he'd been waiting, filled her ear. "What did you have for lunch?"

"Steak." Dry, overcooked, and hardly worth mentioning—but since her first choice had been vetoed, she wasn't in the mood to be picky.

Sebastian chuckled. "I'm downstairs. Are you coming down, or should I come up?"

Stephanie frowned. "What are you doing here so late?"

"I have something for you."

"Alright, hang tight."

She glanced toward her office. Catlin could wait. Stephanie had no interest in letting Sebastian witness her blood relatives in action—no need to show him their depths of depravity. Even if she and the Harts were officially estranged, the shared DNA still made her skin crawl.

Stepping outside, she saw Sebastian's distinctive car parked in front. Elliot was already at the door, holding it open as always. Stephanie slid into the car and looked at Sebastian. "Alright, what's the big surprise?"

The moment their eyes met—calm, intense, and unreadable—Stephanie's pulse faltered. It felt like being caught in a rip current, no point in fighting it, just being pulled under.

Instead of answering, he handed her a velvet box. The second she opened it, her breath hitched.

"This is… Sicily Sunrise?"

She recognized it instantly. Stephanie had once seen it at auction and considered it the most stunning diamond she'd ever beheld. The cut, the clarity, the way it caught the light—it wasn't just jewelry; it was art. And now, it was set in a custom necklace.

Sebastian's voice softened. "Your hair."

She swept it back, her voice tight. "This… this is for me?"

"Obviously." His smile was faint, but his tone brooked no argument. "Turn around. Let me put it on."

Stephanie was stunned. This was expensive. With the way he was looking at her, refusal wasn't an option—knowing him, he'd likely eject her from the car before allowing her to refuse.

She tucked her hair behind her ear without a word. Sebastian leaned in, his breath brushing her skin as he fastened the necklace. The cold weight of the diamond against her collarbone mixed with the heat of his breath, making her heart pound. Wrapped in his presence, surrounded by his scent and warmth, she felt completely shielded from the world. That feeling—so familiar, so painfully familiar—almost brought her to tears.

Sebastian adjusted the necklace and smiled. "Perfect."

Stephanie sniffed, trying to compose herself. "What's all this for? It's so expensive."

"Making up for your birthday."

Stephanie froze. Her breath caught. Birthday. Gift.