Chapter 27 Chapter 27 Sebastian raised an eyebrow , studying Stephanies reaction closely . +13 But before he could say anything , Stephanie suddenly threw her arms around his neck , crying uncontrollably , as if she had been carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders . Her sudden outburst shattered the anger in Sebastians eyes . His hands , which had been frozen mid motion , slowly slid around her waist as she sobbed in his arms . Stephanie clung to him tightly , tears streaming down her face . Mom … is she okay ? Sebastians voice softened as he held her close . She thought youd forgotten her . In truth , her whole family had believed that once she returned to the Hart family , she would forget everything about Fiorenza . Stephanie held onto him even tighter , her sobs growing more desperate . They had so much to say to each other . The words came rushing out in a jumbled mess , and they could have talked for hours . Stephanie choked on her words , explaining why she had left Fiorenza three years ago , her voice trembling with emotion . In the three years shed spent in Long Harbor , she hadnt cried not even when the Hart family mistreated her . But when it came to everything that had happened in Fiorenza , the tears flowed uncontrollably . The Giovanni family had always been her rock , her foundation . And Sebastian had been her anchor … Back then , she lost them all in one night . It felt like a nightmare she couldnt bring herself to relive over the past three years . As people had said , she left when the Giovanni family was at its worst . If she couldve , she wouldve stayed by Sebastians side . At that time , however , Valentina Casalini had been in love with Sebastian . When Sebastians father passed away , everything in their family fell apart . Valentina , along with her brother Richard , had kidnapped Sebastian and Stephanies mother . They held her hostage , forcing Stephanie to leave the Giovanni family . They threatened to kill her mother if Stephanie didnt comply . In that desperate moment , Stephanie had no choice but to agree . Her only condition was that she would leave the Giovanni family and cut all ties with Sebastian . Three years ago , the Casalini family had been at the peak of their power in Fiorenza . With her fathers sudden death , Sebastians foundation had been shaken , and he was powerless against the Casalini family at that time . 1/3 09:25 Mon , 3 Mar Chapter 27 W Sebastian and Richard had always been at odds , but Valentinas affection for Sebastian had kept Richard from interfering with the Giovanni familys operations . Stephanie didnt want to put him in more danger . She believed that by leaving , she could give the Giovanni family a moment of peace , so she was willing to sacrifice herself for that brief respite . As Sebastian listened , his expression grew colder and colder . They threatened you , and you just caved ? Stephanie bit her lip , her voice trembling . I had no choice . They threatened to kill Mom . Sebastians eyes narrowed . And you really cut ties with us ? Stephanies words tumbled out quickly . I didnt mean to ! As she spoke , a wave of pain swept over her . For the past few years , even looking up news about Sebastian online had been a cautious act for her . The first year after she left the Giovanni family , Valentina had continued to threaten her . That was the main reason she returned to the Hart family and even got engaged to Chris . Though , from the publics perspective , Sebastian had risen fast , gaining control of Fiorenzas entire underground business over the last three years , she was still scared still terrified the Casalini family could pose a threat to him . Seeing that she had laid everything bare and Sebastian was still being harsh , Stephanie felt even more aggrieved . She looked at him , her eyes red and filled with tears . What about Valentina ? Stephanie asked , her voice shaking . She hated that woman so much . She wished she could just erase her from existence . Sebastians response was cold . Shes crippled . In prison . Stephanie didnt seem surprised by this answer . In prison ? You put her in prison ? Sebastian shot her a frosty look . His gaze was familiar but now edged with unmistakable anger . Stephanie tugged at his shirt , silently looking up at him with a pitiful expression . Sebastian , visibly irritated , snapped , Stop acting like a helpless kitten . When someone bullies you , dont pity yourself ! Remember what I taught you all those years ? This time , Stephanie didnt back down . She met his gaze directly . You taught me everything , except how to be heartless. If she had been heartless , maybe she wouldnt have gotten hurt by anyone just like the people in the Hart family couldnt hurt her because she didnt care . But the Giovanni family wasnt the same . She couldnt just shut her heart off from them . Her mother loved her so deeply , and ever since she was little , she knew she had been taken in by Sebastian . Her mother had always treated her like her own , raising her like a princess with such tenderness . 2/3 Mon , 3 Mar Chapter 27 Sebastian snorted coldly . Unable to keep her impatience in check any longer , Stephanie asked again , How is Mom , really ? Finally , Sebastian cracked . Shes doing fine . Every day , she goes to church to pray for you . And every time the bea comes , she worries whether you might freeze to death out there , Stephanie let out a small laugh at her mothers worry Freeze to death in the snow ? So , in her mothers eyes , she was still that fragile . But it was true her mother had always treated her like a delicate flower Hearing that her mother had been praying for her for three years made Stephanie feel deeply moved . She looked at Sebastian with wide eyes and asked , Seriously ? Shes worried Ill freeze to death ? Sebastian flicked her on the head . Stephanie winced and quickly covered her head , not daring to make a sound , Sebastians tone softened a little as he said seriously , What happened three years ago really worried her . But what about you ? How come I havent seen anyone from the Hart family ? And Chris Hart ? Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!