Chapter 25
At 7:30 PM, the airport was packed. People hustling in every direction, all in their own little worlds.
Stephanie stood by the exit, bouquet of tulips in hand, nerves fluttering.
She was dressed in a beige coat, her hair pulled up in a neat bun, giving off this sweet, innocent vibe–like she belonged in a Hallmark movie.
A chill breeze swept by, and she instinctively hugged her coat tighter around herself, feeling the cold creep in.
They’d agreed to meet at 8:00 at the exit.
When the clock hit 8, she spotted him.
His tall frame cut through the crowd like a statue, and seeing him instantly flooded Stephanie’s mind with memories–like a movie skipping through scenes too fast to keep up with.
She remembered the way he held her, comforted her, how he could make her feel so safe… and so small at the same time.
He wore a black mid–length coat and a gray scarf, exuding this polished, refined look that could’ve belonged to a model in a high–end magazine.
But only she knew the cold, ruthless side of him–the one that hid behind that well–groomed exterior.
Sebastian. The man who took her in, raised her…
Their eyes locked, and immediately, she felt that chilling, authoritative gaze pierce right through her. Without thinking, she lowered her head.
His presence was like a shadow, suffocating, heavy. And that familiar scent of his… it wrapped around her like a trap.
She held the tulips out toward him, her hand shaking. “You… you like these,” she said softly.
Guilt and fear twisted in her chest.
Sebastian didn’t take the flowers. He just stood there, his presence pressing in on her, making the air feel thick and suffocating.
The buzz of the crowd seemed to fade away, and for a second, it was like they were the only two people in the entire world.
Her hand, still holding the flowers, trembled. She hesitated for a second, then reached up to adjust his scarf. “It’s been a long
time.”
Her words hung in the air, soft but heavy, like a delicate shift in the atmosphere. For a moment, the tension around him lightened.
But just as quickly, his large hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. Before she could process what was happening, he pulled her against his chest.
“Feeling bold, huh?” His voice was low, dark with something dangerous under the surface.
It had been almost three years since she left him, and in all that time, she hadn’t reached out once.
Sebastian couldn’t help wondering if her defiance was his fault–maybe he’d spoiled her too much, like everyone had said.
Stephanie’s heart raced, her voice trapped in her throat. “I… I…”
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Chapter 25
He saw right through her, his eyes reading her like an open book. “Now, start thinking about what you’re gonna say to me.”
His tone was thick with menace.
The knot of anxiety in Stephanie’s chest only tightened, and her voice shook as she tried to hold back the tears that threatened to spill.
Before she could say anything, he released her wrist, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward the exit.
Outside the airport, Elliot was already waiting by the car. When he saw them approach, he opened the door with a polite
nod.
Stephanie froze when she saw the car. “You… you shipped your car here?”
That was his car–the one he always drove in Fiorenza.
Seeing it here in Long Harbor hit her hard. It made it clear: he wasn’t planning on leaving anytime soon.
A cold wave of dread settled deep in her chest.
Sebastian glanced down at her, his presence towering over her, making her feel even smaller. She swallowed, her nerves a mess under his gaze.
“Miss.” Elliot’s respectful voice cut through the tension.
Stephanie, still trying to hold it together, nodded stiffly. “Mr. Grant.”
Before she could say anything else, Sebastian grabbed her again, pulling her into the car like it was nothing-
Sebastian climbed in after her, his expression unreadable. Stephanie shifted as far as she could to the other side of the seat, but it didn’t matter.
No matter how far she tried to distance herself, he was still there, looming large.
The car roared to life, and Sebastian’s big hand closed around her wrist, his grip firm and unyielding.
Before she could even react, he effortlessly yanked her onto his lap.
Stephanie squirmed, her voice trembling. “Don’t… don’t do this…”
Sebastian remained calm, giving a low hum.
Her face flushed bright red. “I’ve grown up. This is…”
Everything about this situation felt wrong. She was sitting on his lap, the closeness between them in such a public place making her feel exposed, almost like she couldn’t breathe.
Sebastian’s cold fingertip traced the line of her cheek, sending a shiver down her spine before it paused at her chin.
She couldn’t bring herself to look him in the eye.
She knew the kind of person Sebastian truly was beneath that cool, controlled exterior. Instinctively, she feared him.
But when it came to Sebastian, there was no escaping.
He leaned in, his voice teasing. “So, you’ve grown up, huh? You’ve become independent? Ready to spread those wings and fly away as far as you can?”
Stephanie felt like a little kid again, unsure of how to respond. L. I—”
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Chapter 25
Sebastian’s voice lingered, amused. “Did you have fun these last few years?”
The word “fun” hit her like a punch to the head.
She hadn’t felt even a hint of regret in the past few days. She’d been sharp, direct, even fierce with everyone else.
But now, facing Sebastian, it all crashed down. The bitterness she’d been carrying twisted inside her, and before she could stop it, her eyes welled up with tears.
She sniffled, wiping her nose. “It hasn’t even been three years yet.”
Her voice sounded small, like a kid who’d been wronged, vulnerable and upset.
Sebastian chuckled, a mocking laugh that made her flinch. “Two more months. Does it really matter?”
Just two months left. That was all. Two months shy of the three years since she left Fiorenza.
Stephanie turned her head, trying to break free from his gaze, but Sebastian wouldn’t let her.
His grip tightened on her, forcing her to keep her eyes locked with his. “Anything you want to share with me?”
Stephanie sighed deeply, her voice quiet and resigned. “I do… I’ve got a lot to say…”
What she’d gone through in those years wasn’t something she could explain with a few words.
Every time she’d been bullied, every time she’d felt helpless, she’d wanted to call him. To make them all pay.
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