~Sienna~ It had been two weeks since that awful confrontation with Lucas, and I’d managed to make myself scarce around him, avoiding him like the plague. Every day, I took different hallways, skipped meetings, and avoided any chance of running into him. I refused to be in the same space as him. But despite my best efforts to keep him out of my mind, thoughts of him kept creeping in, reminding me of the simmering anger and, much to my frustration, the faint ache of missing him. And then, as if he’d vanished, I stopped seeing him at the office altogether. At first, it was a relief, but now, on the fifth day of his absence, a familiar twinge of worry clawed its way into my chest. I pushed it down, annoyed with myself for caring. It had been two weeks since our fight, and not a single word of apology. Not even a half-hearted “sorry” over text. How typical. Today was Friday, and I looked forward to a quiet evening at Violet’s. I’d been crashing at her place ever since that day with
~Lucas~ I’d been in London for five days on business, but every minute away from Bellmore was a struggle. Every thought kept drifting back to her, no matter how I tried to distract myself. I’d almost dialed her number a hundred times, even composed half a dozen messages, but each time, I hesitated. It didn’t feel right to settle for a phone call or a text when what I really wanted was to see her. And the fact that she’d been actively avoiding me before I left only fueled my frustration. I hadn’t expected her to be this stubborn. Even Derrick noticed how restless I was, shooting me knowing glances every time my gaze drifted out the plane window or when I’d check my phone, hoping for a message that never came. I was supposed to stay a full week, but after five days, I’d had enough. With a restless heart, I found myself on the earliest flight back to Bellmore. Now, as I drove through the familiar streets, I headed straight for Sienna’s place, hoping to catch her there. Now, here I w
~Sienna~ The ride was silent, but my mind was anything but. I was still trying to process everything that had happened, replaying it in stunned disbelief. Lucas had shown up—completely unannounced—pulled me out of that house, stood up to Lilian… and even claimed me as his fiancée in front of Lilian. My boss, who was usually so guarded, so unreadable, had defended me with a fierceness I didn’t know he possessed. That's iconic asf! I stole a glance at him, his face impassive as he stared out the car window. His hand was still wrapped around mine, firm and warm, and he hadn’t let go since we’d gotten in the car. There was a subtle tension sparking between us, a crackling awareness that made my pulse quicken. Every time his thumb brushed against the back of my hand, my heart fluttered, and I fought to keep my breathing steady, willing myself not to look at him. Derrick cleared his throat from the front seat, breaking the silence. “Where to, boss?” Lucas didn’t hesitate. “Anywhere
~Sienna~ The ride was silent, but my mind was anything but. I was still trying to process everything that had happened, replaying it in stunned disbelief. Lucas had shown up—completely unannounced—pulled me out of that house, stood up to Lilian… and even claimed me as his fiancée in front of Lilian. My boss, who was usually so guarded, so unreadable, had defended me with a fierceness I didn’t know he possessed. That's iconic asf! I stole a glance at him, his face impassive as he stared out the car window. His hand was still wrapped around mine, firm and warm, and he hadn’t let go since we’d gotten in the car. There was a subtle tension sparking between us, a crackling awareness that made my pulse quicken. Every time his thumb brushed against the back of my hand, my heart fluttered, and I fought to keep my breathing steady, willing myself not to look at him. Derrick cleared his throat from the front seat, breaking the silence. “Where to, boss?” Lucas didn’t hesitate. “Anywhere
~Sienna~ The morning light filtered softly into the room, brushing over my face and stirring me from sleep. I blinked, trying to piece together where I was. My eyes adjusted to the spacious, modern room with its deep navy walls and sleek decor—Lucas’s room. How did I get here? I vaguely remembered last night but realized I must have fallen asleep in the car. Looking down, I confirmed that my clothes were intact; he hadn’t crossed any boundaries. As I shifted, I felt a warm weight wrapped around my waist, and my heart skipped. Lucas’s tattooed arm was snug against me, his steady breathing brushing against the back of my neck. I froze, acutely aware of his presence, his warmth pressing into my back in a way that felt surprisingly… comforting. I tried to move slowly, attempting to slip out of his hold without waking him, but his arm tightened, drawing me closer. “Stay…” he murmured, his voice a deep, sleep-rough whisper that sent a warm shiver through me. “It’s Saturday.” Saturd
~Lucas~ The sweat poured down my back as I pushed myself to run faster on the treadmill. Even now, I was still reeling from last night. I couldn’t believe I’d actually apologized to Sienna. I’d let her see the part of me I’d sworn no one else would. Not since… her. The last woman who got close enough to see that side of me took my trust and crushed it. She left me cold, guarded, a cold-hearted jerk, if I’m being honest.... and with walls I swore no one would ever get through again. But with Sienna, things felt different. Losing her felt like losing a part of myself. The realization was both terrifying and grounding. I can't afford to lose her, not yet. I caught sight of her finishing her workout and heading to the women’s restroom. My gaze followed her without thinking, she wore a fitted, low-cut athletic tank top, its thin straps leaving her shoulders bare, and the neckline dipping just enough to reveal a tantalizing glimpse of her cleavage. The material clung to her curves, acce
~Lucas~ My father was already seated in the courtyard when we arrived, comfortably lounging on a sleek teakwood chair with his legs crossed and an expensive glass of Imperial Murex Reserve wine on the table before him. The bottle itself was perched nearby, its polished glass catching the light—a reminder of his penchant for flaunting wealth in every little detail. He looked perfectly at home, one arm resting lazily along the back of his chair as he gazed out over the view of manicured gardens and trimmed hedges beyond the villa. His usual entourage flanked him: two guards with stone-faced expressions and, standing just beside his chair, was Clarke Duncan, his PA. I hadn’t seen her since my return to Bellmore. I’d thought she resigned, but it turns out that was just wishful thinking. I couldn’t help but scoff under my breath, but I forced myself to keep my expression neutral as I climbed out of the car. Sienna, on the other hand, looked more uneasy. I kept my irritation at her in
~Sienna~ As I walked over, I noticed Lucas and his father exchanging quick, tense whispers, their eyes darting briefly toward me. Curiosity prickled at me, and I couldn’t resist approaching, still reeling from their earlier, hushed exchange. So even the picture-perfect Jones family has its share of cracks, I thought to myself. Who would’ve guessed? When I got closer, Richard’s face softened, and he greeted me with that familiar warmth, though I could see a flicker of something else beneath the surface. “Selena,” he said, the nickname flowing as smoothly as the wine he was holding—a label that read Imperial Murex Reserve. I recognized it immediately; it was one of the most premium, expensive wines on the market. I glanced at Lucas, hoping he’d give me some clue about what was going on, but his expression remained guarded, unreadable. Richard signaled to Clarke and she approached extending a slip of paper toward me, ivory-colored with a gold crest embossed at the top—a formal invit
~Lucas~I arrived at the mansion as fast as I could, everywhere quieter than usual.The staff moved about in hushed tones, their usual chatter replaced by an uneasy silence. The air felt heavier today, pressing down on me as I made my way to my father’s study.When I opened the door, I found him seated in his favorite armchair by the window. A blanket was draped over his lap, its edges trailing onto the titled floor, and a leather-bound book rested in his hands.The room smelled faintly of aged paper and the faintest hint of cologne, though weaker than usual. He looked frailer than I remembered, his pale skin almost translucent in the gray light streaming through the curtains.His hands trembled slightly as he turned the page, the movement so subtle and weak.I froze in the doorway. He’s not supposed to look this sick, I thought, my stomach twisting into a knot.It’s only been three months since his diagnosis—three months into the six months timeline we’d been given—and yet he looked
~Lucas~"Fuckk!" I yelled, slamming my fist against the dashboard with all the fury I could muster, as I watched the car roar to life and sped off, taking away Lydia and Harper.They were gone. Clarke's plan had worked.I should have seen it coming. This was all part of her scheme, a well-executed move, and I had walked right into it. I chuckled darkly, my body trembling with anger."Nice one Clarke... How dare she?" The words escaped my lips before I could even process them."Lucas, take it easy, okay? We should return and plan a better comeback. We can't let them win," Sienna said, her voice calm yet firm."I know, Sienna," I muttered, but the frustration in my chest threatened to spill over. "But I don’t want to involve you in my family feud again. I want you to lay low and focus on work, okay? I don’t want you getting kidnapped or something."She didn’t look convinced, but I saw the slight nod she gave, the way her jaw tightened with determination."Alright, Lucas," she replied,
~Sienna~I ignored her and turned to Lucas who's already in his way out of the hospital, his steps unsteady, his body slumped like the weight of the world was pressing down on him.I rushed after him, catching up as he staggered toward the car.“Lucas,” I said softly, wrapping an arm around his to steady him.We climbed into the car, and I settled into the driver’s seat, my hands shaking as I gripped the steering wheel. “Where to?” I asked softly, my voice cutting through the heavy silence as I turned the key in the ignition.Lucas didn’t answer. He just stared out the window, his gaze unfocused, lost somewhere far . His demeanor, usually so sharp and composed, was now weighed down by exhaustion and grief.I swallowed hard, glancing at him again, hoping for a sign, a word, anything. But he stayed quiet, his hands limp in his lap, his shoulders slouched like the weight of the world had settled there and refused to leave.Unsure of where to go, I began driving, the hum of the car engi
~Sienna~Lucas’s words lingered in the air like a thunderclap, reverberating in the suffocating silence of the waiting room.I stared at him, my heart twisting painfully at the sight of the man I thought was unbreakable—crumbling right before my eyes.His broad shoulders slumped, and his hands trembled as they raked through his disheveled hair. His breaths came shallow and uneven, as if he couldn’t catch air, no matter how hard he tried. This wasn’t the Lucas I knew—the confident, commanding man who always seemed in control. This was someone broken, someone stripped bare of the armor he always wore.I glanced at Lydia. She stood frozen at first, but then her knees buckled, and she sank to the cold, tiled floor.Her face was ghostly pale, her lips trembling as though she wanted to speak but couldn’t find the courage. Guilt poured off her in waves, thick and suffocating, filling the room like a tangible presence.She deceived him.A sickening wave of anger and disbelief rolled through
~Sienna~“We need to get her to the hospital,” Lucas said urgently, his voice shaking as he scooped her up in his arms.“I’ll drive,” I said immediately, my own fear pushing me into action.Lucas was already running toward the car, his steps frantic and uneven as Harper’s tiny frame lay limp against his chest. Lydia trailed behind us, her hands shaking and her face as pale as a ghost.As we reached Lucas’s car, he froze, fumbling awkwardly with one hand as he tried to dig into his pocket for the keys while still holding Harper tightly. His breathing was erratic, and his movements were clumsy, his fear and desperation evident.“Damn it!” he growled, his voice breaking as he finally pulled the key out and thrust it toward me. “Here—take it!”I grabbed the key from his trembling hand, my fingers brushing his for a brief second. “Get in the car,” I said quickly, my voice steady despite the panic coursing through me.Lucas didn’t hesitate. He rushed to the passenger side, cradling Harper c
~Sienna~The elevator doors slid open, and my breath caught in my throat. Standing in front of me, looking just as smug and menacing as the last time I saw her, was Lydia.Her fiery red heels tapped against the floor impatiently, and her sharp gaze zeroed in on me like a predator cornering its prey.But it wasn’t just her.Behind her stood her daughter— Lucas's daughter, clutching a stuffed bunny to her chest. The little girl’s wide, curious eyes darted between me and her mother. My stomach twisted painfully at the sight of her, a wave of unease washing over me.What is she doing here? And why would she bring her child?The questions raced through my mind, but I didn’t have time to process them. Lydia’s lips curled into a sly smile, her expression smug as she took a step forward, effectively blocking the elevator doors from closing.“Sienna,” she said, her voice dripping with condescension. “We need to talk.”I stiffened, every muscle in my body tensing. “I don’t think we have anyt
~Sienna~“What? The hell?” I stared at the screen, my thumb hovering over the phone as my heart thudded in my chest. A cold shiver ran down my spine.Big brother?What is the meaning of this? I couldn’t stop my fingers from trembling as I typed the question again, my mind reeling.Me: What do you mean by that?The screen blinked once, twice, and then the phone pinged again. My hand trembled as I read the message, a strange cocktail of disbelief and joy swirling in my chest as the message sank in.Unknown number: Aren't you looking for your real family? Well, here I am. I'm your biological brother. I'll come for you when the time is right, but for now, take charge and stop being weak. Those people are beneath you, princess.My breath caught in my throat, and my jaw went slack. I couldn't process the words. The phone nearly slipped from my hand as I stared at the screen in shock.Princess?I blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of it.Me? A princess?My mind raced.Who was this person?
~Sienna~The rain came down in torrents, the steady drumming on the car roof muffling the silence between us. My clothes clung to my skin, cold and heavy, and the faint scent of Grant’s cologne lingered in the jacket draped over my shoulders.It made me feel trapped, like I was suffocating under the weight of everything—Lucas, Lydia, and now… Grant. Lucas. I closed my eyes briefly, the memory of that night flashing vividly in my mind. The little girl tugging at his pants, calling him “Daddy.” The helpless look in his eyes. The woman standing there, too smug, too comfortable in the home I thought was mine to share with him. It had been days since then, and yet the pain hadn’t lessened. If anything, it had burrowed deeper, each unanswered question festering like a wound. Why didn’t you tell me?Why does it feel like I never really knew you at all?I pulled the jacket tighter, despite myself, the chill in my bones refusing to fade. My fingers trembled as I rested them on my lap, and
~Grant~Derrick shot up from his chair, his fists slamming onto the desk, the sound echoing sharply through the room.“You bastard,” he hissed.“If you dare lay a finger on her—”I held up a hand, cutting him off.“Relax, Derrick. No one’s going to hurt her. Unless, of course, you refuse to cooperate.”His chest heaved as he glared at me, pure rage burning in his eyes.“You’re bluffing,” he said, his voice wavering slightly.I reached for my phone, tapping on the screen before holding it up for him to see. It was a live photo feed of Hannah, sitting outside an ice cream shop, a pink cone in her hand.“Still think I’m bluffing?” I asked, my tone icy.Derrick’s face paled, and he fumbled for his own phone, quickly dialing Hannah’s number.“Hello?” her cheerful voice answered, loud from the speaker.“Hannah,” Derrick said urgently, his voice trembling just slightly.“Where are you right now?”“At the ice cream shop,” she replied, her voice confused. “Why?”“What are you wearing? Are you