After Joshua left, Stella began opening her other gifts.
Keen, Marvin, and Abby had all given her handmade items. Lauretta and Candida's gifts were carefully selected pieces of jewelry, far from the common styles found in stores. The three remaining men had given more practical gifts. Antoney and Neville had presented her with lucrative partnership opportunities.
When Stella opened Haynes's gift, she couldn't help but smile. It was a check for a billion dollars. He was still hung up on that past debt.
After a moment of contemplation, she decided to accept it.
The past was in the past. If it was possible to be on peaceful terms with Haynes, there was no reason not to be.
After sorting through all the gifts, Stella noticed an unfamiliar box at the very bottom of the bag. She paused. She was certain she hadn't seen this gift at the party.
A sense of premonition washed over her, but she opened it anyway. Inside was a beautiful crystal music box, with a figurine of herself carved in lifelike detail.
Stella stared at the music box, a complex mix of emotions stirring within her.
Abby had helped her pack up the gifts, so she must have been the one to put it in the bag.
As if on cue, her phone rang. It was Abby.
"Star, have you finished opening your presents? I'm the one who put Foreman's gift in there. I'm so sorry. He contacted me before your birthday and said he couldn't make it, so he asked me to bring his gift for him. At the time, I had no idea he was the one who hurt Joshua like that… I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done it without asking."


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