Chapter 78

Stefani’s heart fluttered with excitement as she paced the living room, her phone clutched tightly in her hand. She glanced at the clock for the hundredth time, mentally calculating the minutes left before Jacob was supposed to arrive. The house had been transformed into a celebration space, a labor of love that had taken weeks of planning and countless late nights spent coordinating with friends and family. The air was thick with anticipation, and the only thing left to do was wait for the guest of honor to walk through the door.

Jacob had reached a major milestone in his career—winning a prestigious award for excellence in business management, something that had been his goal for years. It was a recognition of his hard work, long hours, and dedication, but more than that, it was a symbol of how far he had come. Stefani had watched him pour his heart and soul into his work, even though he once lost sight of their family.

So, when she heard about the award, Stefani knew