Chapter 144

BlackOak Center parking lot.
Reese stepped out of the elevator and immediately spotted the black Bentley waiting in the shadows. The back door eased open from inside. Sebastian had one hand resting on the door, his head tilted as he looked up at her.
“Get in.”
His voice was deep, but he made an effort to keep it gentle.
As soon as Reese slid into the car, a velvet box with a hint of cedar was offered to her. Inside, a thin necklace lay on the velvet, the pendant a tiny star sparkling quietly.
“It’s a gift,” Sebastian said, watching her closely, almost hopeful. “You didn’t care for the last one. Do you like this?”
Reese barely glanced at the necklace before her eyes met his. Her tone was simple and to the point. “Did you find out who drugged me seven years ago?”
“I did.”
Sebastian’s smile faded. He told the driver to start the car. “I’ll tell you after dinner.”
They ended up at a restaurant perched on a hill at the edge of the city. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city lights glittered against the night. White roses sat on the table, and candlelight flickered, softening Sebastian’s features. Thɪs chapter is updated by.net
“Happy birthday,” he said.
The waiter had barely set down their drinks when the deep, mellow sound of a cello drifted over from the corner of the terrace. Reese’s hand froze around her glass. She turned toward the music, spotting a cellist in formal wear, bow gliding across the strings, filling the night with gentle melody.
She looked back at Sebastian, her eyes cold, a hint of sarcasm there.
They had been married for 7 years, and not once had Sebastian celebrated her birthday. She’d always noticed. He just never cared. Now, with divorce hanging between them, what was thi last-minute show?
“I hired the principal cellist from the symphony,” Sebastian said. “Didn’t know if you’d like it.” His voice was even softer than the cello. “If it’s too much, I can ask him to stop.”
Reese shook her head. “No, it’s fine.”
And it was, in a way. She could see he’d put in the effort.
But she knew, no matter what Sebastian did tonight, it wasn’t going to move her. Not anymore.
The waiter brought out their food, course after course. With each one, Reese’s expression grew a little more distant.
“Try this,” Sebastian said, sliding a plate of cod in her direction. The fork he held was still dripping with sauce, and e e looked almost awkward as
he tried to please her.
Reese pushed the plate back. “Sebastian, I don’t like seafood.”
Just like that time at his family’s old house, when a shrimp ended up in her bowl without warning.
For all she’d learned about him, Sebastian still knew almost nothing about her.
“So, what do you like?” he asked. “I can have them make something else.”
Reese shook her head. “Don’t bother.”
She picked through the few things she could eat.
The cello music faded away, and quiet settled over the terrace, broken only by the soft crackle of candle flames.
Reese set her napkin down. “I’ve finished dinner. Are you going to tell me who drugged me?”
Sebastian’s eyes darkened for a second, but he didn’t answer right away. “Let’s go somewhere. When we get there, I’ll tell you.”
She gave him a cool look, weighing her options, wondering if she should just leave.
Sebastian seemed to sense it. His voice turned sincere, almost pleading. “I mean
it.”
He didn’t let the driver follow. Instead, he drove her himself, winding up the mountain to the observatory on the far side.
The place had clearly been cleared
out for them. Staff stood at a
distance, but there were no other
visitors. Above them, the
dome screen it up, massive
stars spilling
across the darkness in a
breathtaking display.
Reese stopped under the screen, looking up. She’d seen this place on social media, always wanted to visit, and shed even mentioned it to Sebastian once. Back then, He’d barely responded. She’d assumed he’d forgotten. Apparently, he hadn’t.
But what did it matter?
She’d lost interest in this place a long time ago, just like she’d lost faith in their broken marriage.
“Can you tell me now?” she asked, her voice steady. All she wanted was the truth about that night.
Sebastian was quiet for a moment, then stepped beside her. “You once said you wanted to see the Orion Nebula.”