Chapter 39

Sebastian raised an eyebrow, closely studying Stephanie's reaction. But before he could speak, Stephanie threw her arms around his neck, crying uncontrollably, as if burdened by the weight of the world. Her sudden outburst melted the anger from his eyes. His hands, previously frozen, slowly encircled her waist as she sobbed.

Stephanie clung to him tightly, tears streaming down her face. "Mom… is she okay?"

Sebastian's voice softened. "She thought you'd forgotten her." In truth, her entire family believed she would forget Fiorenza once she returned to the Hart family. Stephanie held him even tighter, her sobs escalating. They had so much to say, a torrent of words tumbling out in a jumbled rush; they could have talked for hours.

Stephanie choked back tears, explaining her departure from Fiorenza three years prior, her voice trembling. In those three years in Long Harbor, she hadn't cried—not even amidst the Hart family's mistreatment. But the memories of Fiorenza unleashed an uncontrollable flood of tears. The Giovanni family had always been her bedrock, her foundation, and Sebastian, her anchor. She had lost them all in a single night—a nightmare she couldn't bear to relive. She left, as people said, when the Giovanni family was at its weakest. She would have stayed by Sebastian's side, but Valentina Casalini's love for Sebastian complicated matters.

After Sebastian's father died, their family crumbled. Valentina and her brother, Richard, kidnapped Stephanie's mother, holding her hostage and forcing Stephanie to leave the Giovanni family. They threatened to kill her mother if Stephanie refused. Desperately, Stephanie agreed, her only condition being a complete severance from the Giovanni family and Sebastian. Three years ago, the Casalini family held immense power in Fiorenza. Sebastian, shaken by his father's death, was powerless against them. Sebastian and Richard had always been rivals, but Valentina's affection for Sebastian had previously kept Richard from interfering with the Giovanni family. Stephanie didn't want to endanger him further. She believed leaving would grant the Giovanni family a moment's peace, a sacrifice she was willing to make.

As Sebastian listened, his expression grew colder. "They threatened you, and you simply… complied?"

Stephanie bit her lip, her voice trembling. "I had no choice. They threatened to kill Mom."

Sebastian's eyes narrowed. "And you truly cut ties with us?"

Stephanie's words rushed out. "I didn't mean to!"