Chapter 149

Flashes of this year's birthday hit her like a slideshow—the silence, the empty apartment. The Harts? Chris? They were all in Europe with Olivia. Not one text. Not one call. Forgotten? Not a chance. She and Olivia shared a birthday; they knew. They simply didn't care. That no longer stung. What lingered was Catlin's refusal to sign the disownment papers.

"What's wrong?" Sebastian's voice pulled her back.

Stephanie shook her head, her smile faint. "Nothing. Just… it's been a while since anyone thought my birthday was worth celebrating." Birthdays had lost their meaning since leaving the Giovannis.

Before she could speak, Sebastian pulled her into his arms. His heartbeat, strong, steady, and grounding, was against her cheek. His voice, lower and rougher than usual, murmured, "Still thinking about running off again?"

Her eyes burned; tears fell. "No. Never again." The Casalinis were gone; she had no reason to run.

Sebastian held her tighter. "Sorry, Seb," she whispered, her arms around his waist, her face buried in his chest. He didn't respond, merely smoothing her hair. She had nothing to apologize for. He'd been overwhelmed with turf wars and crises; he'd barely noticed her—that's how the Casalinis had slipped through the cracks.

Thirty minutes later, Stephanie returned to the office. Jennifer's eyes immediately fixed on Stephanie's necklace. "Hold up, boss—where did you get that? It looks… weirdly familiar."

"Sicily Sunrise," Stephanie said casually.

Jennifer's jaw dropped. "Are you kidding me?" That diamond wasn't just expensive; it was legendary, auctioned for over thirty million dollars, with billionaires and royals vying for it. And Stephanie was wearing it? The Harts couldn't afford it, even if they sold their house. It could only have come from him.

Stephanie raised an eyebrow. "So? Does it look good or not?"

Jennifer nodded rapidly. "It's gorgeous. Ridiculously gorgeous." Stephanie smiled. Of course it was.

"Mrs. Hart still here?"

Jennifer blinked. "Oh—yeah. Still waiting." Stephanie's smile vanished.

When Stephanie entered her office, Catlin sat rigidly, her strained patience barely concealed. The cracks were showing. Hearing the door, she forced a smile. "Where were you? I've been waiting forever. Your assistant called three times, but you didn't answer."

Her voice held irritation and resentment. To reach Stephanie, Catlin had used half the hospital's phones, each call blocked. Cold-blooded? Heartless? Catlin had never encountered such a daughter. But she'd deal with that later. Once Olivia recovered, she'd speak with Stephanie's adoptive family. She needed answers. What kind of parenting produced such a child?

Stephanie tossed her purse on the desk. "Alright, what do you want?" Unless it concerned Olivia, she couldn't imagine Catlin's reason for being there.

As she sat, sunlight glinted off her necklace, scattering light across the room. Even without directly looking, Catlin couldn't miss it. Her eyes locked on it. "That necklace…"

The more she stared, the more familiar it seemed—until recognition dawned. That's Sicily Sunrise.