~Lucas~I flopped onto the bed, my heart shattering all over again as the chaos from earlier played back in my mind. I couldn’t believe it.I can't believe the woman I had fallen for, the one I’d opened my heart to, had been with my half-brother for years."Keep Feasting on my leftovers...." Fuckiing bastard! I yelled, punching the pillows in frustration. I just lost face to that loser because of her.I chuckled bitterly as memories of our first meeting rushed back.So it was Grant who broke her heart that night.Great.Lucas, Lucas... I cursed myself silently. You messed up real big. You settled for less, and now you’re paying the price.I yanked my shirt off and tossed it carelessly across the room, not even looking where it landed. Running a hand through my hair, I sighed heavily.No wonder Grant had come to her rescue today. The signs had been there all along, but I had let love cloud my judgment.My heart tightened when I remembered the look in her eyes. She looked so damn sad, l
~Sienna~ The house felt oppressively heavy that morning, suffused with a weight that seemed to cling to every surface, every breath. It wasn’t just the silence—it was the invisible wound left by Lilian’s betrayal. Dad had barely said a word since last night. He sat in his armchair by the window in the living room as he couldn't bare to step a foot into that room anymore. The glow of the morning sun dancing across his face. His shoulders sagged, his once-proud frame now hunched as if the betrayal had squeezed life out of him. He stared out at the empty street, his eyes unfocused, and I wondered if he even registered the view. I couldn’t blame him. How does someone rebuild after nearly two decades of marriage crumble to dust in a single, devastating moment? I’d always seen Dad as indestructible—a man who could survive anything. But this? This was different. Hannah was curled up on the couch, her knees drawn to her chest, a blanket wrapped tightly around her. Her eyes were puffy
~Sienna~“Why are you hiding him?”“Hannah!” I shot her a deadly glare. She rolled her eyes but grabbed Derrick by the wrist, dragging him toward the corridor. Before I could say more, I heard the door to her room bang shut, echoing down the hallway.I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair. This week was becoming more chaotic than I could handle.Flipping the front door open, I was met with the sight of Violet struggling to hoist two large suitcases over the porch step. She paused mid-struggle, her disheveled hair sticking out in all directions, and groaned like someone who had just fought through a war.“Violet?” I called, my slippers slapping against the wooden steps as I rushed down. The warm mid morning sun bathed the porch, but the brightness of the golden rays did nothing to mask her exhaustion plastered on her face.She plopped down on one of the suitcases, her shoulders slumping as though the weight of the world rested on them. Her head shot up at the sound of my ap
~Sienna~It was two days after Violet’s arrival, and somehow, I found myself standing in front of Club de Luxe, a high-end nightclub with an over-the-top neon sign that bathed the street in flashes of pink and blue. Thanks to Violet’s relentless idea and Hannah’s persuasion, I couldn’t say no.Now I was here, wearing a short, figure-hugging black dress that barely reached mid-thigh, paired with silver heels. The dress wasn’t my style, but Violet had insisted, claiming it was "the perfect blend of hot and classy."Beside me, Violet and Hannah were giggling like schoolgirls, each draped in outfits that screamed "look at me." Violet wore a sequined red dress that sparkled under every light, her coffee-brown bob now dyed jet black, styled sleekly to frame her face like she was about to step onto a runway. Hannah, on the other hand, went for a pale blue slip dress that clung to her figure, her makeup soft and playful. Her ginger hair was pinned back in loose waves, accentuating her oval
~Sienna~The first thing I noticed as I stirred awake was the faint hum of the air conditioner and the subtle scent of jasmine in the air. My limbs felt heavy, like I was dragging myself through water—the lingering effects of whatever Derrick had used to knock me out still clouding my head.Slowly, I pushed myself upright, my heartbeat picking up as unfamiliar surroundings came into focus.The room was enormous, with high ceilings painted in muted golds and creams, the kind of understated elegance that screamed wealth. Heavy silk curtains framed large windows, filtering sunlight that spilled across a carved wooden bed and matching furniture. A vase of bright marigolds stood on a nearby table, their bold yellow petals the only pop of color in the neutral tones of the room.This wasn’t home.I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, the coolness of the marble floor grounding me slightly as I stumbled toward the window. My breath caught as I yanked the curtains open, the world outside c
~Sienna~My eyes widened, disbelief washing over me like a tidal wave. The Laurents? How on earth?The words echoed in my mind as I stared blankly at the photo Derrick had shown me. Étienne Laurent.The Laurent Empire wasn’t just a business dynasty—it was a global juggernaut, towering over countless industries. Technology, luxury goods, fashion, real estate—they had their hands in everything. And tech? That was just one of their many playgrounds.The edges of the phone pressed into my palms, grounding me, but it did little to slow the racing of my thoughts. My pulse roared in my ears as I sat frozen, my mind spiraling into chaos. But what does this have to do with Clarke? With India? With me?“Miss Wilde?” Derrick’s voice sliced through my spiraling thoughts like a whip, sharp and pointed.I flinched, my head snapping up as I met his intense, steel-gray gaze. His stare bore into me, unyielding, as if trying to drag me back to the moment. “Are you still with us?”My eyes darted to L
~Lucas~I scoffed inwardly, gripping the stem of my wineglass with more force than necessary. Did she really just say she wanted to terminate the contract? Seriously, Sienna? The audacity.I set the glass down carefully, not trusting my temper not to shatter it.How could she think of walking away, severing the one thing tying us together? The mere thought twisted in my chest like a dagger. I didn’t know if I wanted to lash out, demanding to know why she would give up so easily, or pretend I didn’t care.But I cared. I cared more than I wanted to admit.For the past two days in India, she’d haunted my every thought. I’d scrolled through her socials countless times, a small, stupid smile tugging at my lips whenever I saw her pictures. The part of me that I kept buried—the part that craved love despite the scars Lydia— my ex left—had wanted to let it all go. To forget about her connection to Grant, to forget about the circumstances that kept pulling us apart.But now? Now she was tryin
~Sienna~Lucas’s words still echoed in my mind as I stood there, staring at the door he had stormed through. “You’re not leaving, Sienna. Not until I know you’re safe.”I clenched my fists at my sides, trying to push away the chaos swirling in my chest. I could see the sincerity in his eyes, hear it in his voice. He loved me. I had no doubt about that. But love wasn’t enough—not without trust, not without actions to back it up.I inhaled sharply and turned toward the window, watching the soft glow of the city lights below. I had to focus. This mission was all that mattered now. Lucas would have to prove himself in his own time.A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. Derrick entered, his expression calm and composed as usual. “It’s time. Étienne Laurent will be at The Peacock Lounge tonight. That’s where you’ll meet him.”“The Peacock Lounge?” I repeated, quickly taking a sip from Lucas’s leftover wine.“It’s a popular desi club downtown,” Derrick said as we exited the suite.
~Sienna~The breeze in Bellmore carried a sense of renewal, a symbol of survival after the storm. Lucas had arranged a Thanksgiving ceremony in the grand hall of Weston Corp to celebrate life, family, and the company’s resilience. Everyone was present—his mother Angelina, his sister Lexa, the board of directors, my dad, Hannah, Derrick, and all members of Weston.It was a full-circle moment.Lucas stood at the podium, his voice steady and filled with gratitude.“Today, we’re not just giving thanks for Weston’s survival, but for the people who make it what it is. This company has weathered unimaginable storms, but through faith, perseverance, and love, we are standing here stronger than ever. I thank God for this moment and for the extraordinary people who made it possible.”As the applause echoed, Lucas stepped down, his gaze locking with mine. My heart raced when he took my hand, guiding me to the center of the room.He spoke again, his voice now softer but just as firm.“And there’
~Sienna~ I turned slowly, my heart pounding in my chest. There he was, standing just yards away, his gun still raised, his expression unreadable. His men fanned out behind him, a wall of black suits and cold stares. Lucas immediately stepped in front of me, shielding me with his body. The rigid set of his shoulders told me he was ready to fight to the death if it came to that. “Stay behind me,” Lucas murmured, his voice low and protective. “Lincoln...” I whispered, my voice trembling as I tried to steady my emotions. Lincoln’s eyes narrowed as he took in the scene—the cars, the people, Irena's dead body. His gaze lingered on me for a moment before flicking to Lucas. “You just don’t know when to give up, do you, Jones?” Lincoln said, his lips curling into a bitter smirk. “First, you barge into my mansion, and now you think you can just walk out of here with my sister? Bold of you.” “She’s not your property, Lincoln,” Lucas shot back, his voice steady but full of rage.
[ Next Day— Washington DC]~Sienna~I sat by the window, staring at the sunrise with Madi curled up on my lap, her small arms draped lazily over my waist. I absently rubbed my stomach, my thoughts consumed by Lucas. It had been over a week since I was torn from Bellmore, from him, and every day felt heavier than the last."I hope you’re okay, Lucas," I whispered under my breath, my gaze shifting to my growing belly. I smiled faintly, running my fingers over the slight curve. How happy you’ll be to know I carry your child.The thought brought a glimmer of joy despite everything. According to the scan I did shortly after arriving in Washington, I was three months along. The small swell of my stomach was starting to become visible. I couldn’t help but wonder how Lucas would react—his joy, his smile, the protective way he’d hold me.I glanced at Madi, her ginger hair soft under my touch, but the weight of my worries pulled me back to reality. I had made arrangements be
~Lincoln~Lucas had just left, but the tension he brought with him still clung to the air like a storm that refused to pass. His rage was palpable, and it left a heavy tension in the room.I sat down heavily in my chair, pouring myself another drink, the amber liquid catching the dim light of the room. I swirled it in the glass, thinking about the fire in his eyes, the determination in his voice.He loved her. That much was clear. And she loved him.But I can’t let them be together.Not after what the Jones family did to ours.I tipped back the glass, letting the whiskey burn its way down my throat, but it didn’t drown the guilt clawing at my insides. I hate that I have to do this—tear her away from the man she loves, the father of her unborn child.But I have to.I have no choice.I hate that I’m the villain in her story, the one forcing her into a life she didn’t ask for.Yet I would rather be the villain than watch her suffer the same fate as our parents. She’s in Washington now,
~Lucas~“You’re delusional, you can't break us apart," I growled, shaking my head.“You think you’re protecting her, but you’re just using her to justify your own hatred. Sienna deserves better than this.”Lincoln’s eyes glinted dangerously as he stepped forward, the guards around us tensing.“I’ll give you credit for your dedication, Lucas. But love isn’t enough. Not when it comes to my sister.”“She’s not just your sister!” I shot back. “She’s the woman I love, and I’ll fight for her no matter what. You don’t get to decide who she’s with.”“And I’ll fight to make sure she’s not with you,” Lincoln snapped, his composure finally cracking. He tossed the cigar onto the floor and crushed it beneath his heel. I took another step forward, my chest heaving with anger. The tension between us was thick, the air crackling with unspoken threats. “If you don’t hand her over right now, you’ll regret my next action.”Lincoln laughed, the sound sharp and condescending. “Seriously? We both know y
~Lucas~It had been over a week since I last heard Sienna’s voice.A week of restless nights, unanswered questions, and a gnawing emptiness that refused to leave me. I’d looked for her everywhere—called every contact I could think of, chased down every lead—but nothing. It was as if she had vanished off the face of the earth.Derrick stood beside me, flipping through the agenda for the meeting we had arranged with several potential investors. Weston was bleeding, and if I didn’t secure their confidence, the company would collapse within weeks.“You need to focus,” Derrick said, his voice firm but not unkind. “I know your mind’s elsewhere, but this meeting is critical. If we lose more investors, Weston’s done for.”I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to push my thoughts of Sienna to the back of my mind. She would want me to keep fighting—for the company, for everything my family built.The meeting itself was a blur of presentations, numbers, and strategic promises. Derrick took the l
Two Weeks Later ~Sienna~Two weeks. It had been two weeks of silence, isolation, and confinement. Two weeks since I had seen the outside world.Lincoln had kept me locked in this house, surrounded by opulence but caged like a bird. The maids attended to my every need, but their kindness didn’t stop the loneliness from creeping in like a shadow. They tiptoed around me, avoiding eye contact as if afraid to get too close. And my phone—my only connection to the outside world—had been seized after Lincoln caught me trying to call Lucas.I hadn’t heard from him since.The nurse had just finished checking on me, her clipboard held close to her chest as she observed me silently. I sat on the edge of the bed, fidgeting with my fingers, waiting for her to finish her examination. "Are you done?" I asked, breaking the silence.She hesitated for a moment, then nodded.“Yes, Miss Wilde. I am.”“And?” I pressed, my brows furrowed.“What’s wrong with me? Why have I been fe
A Week Later ~Lucas~ The backyard of the family mansion was shrouded in silence, save for the occasional sniffles and murmurs of mourning. The air was heavy with grief, and the scent of freshly turned earth mingled with the faint perfume of lilies, the flowers Mom and Lexa clutched tightly in their hands. Dressed in black, they stood by my father’s grave, their faces streaked with tears. Mom’s usually confident demeanor was gone, replaced by raw, unfiltered heartbreak. Lexa stood beside her, her arm around her shoulders, trying to keep it together, but the tears kept falling. The ceremony had been short and somber. Friends and associates of the Jones family had gathered to pay their respects, but as the sun began to set, they trickled away one by one. Now, it was just the three of us. Mom gently placed a bouquet of white lilies on the grave, her fingers trembling. “Goodbye, Richard,” she whispered, her voice breaking. Lexa sobbed softly, brushing
~Lucas~The hospital room was cold and sterile, its fluorescent lights casting an unnatural glow over everything. The quiet hum of the machines monitoring my father’s fragile heartbeat was the only sound in the room, their rhythm a cruel reminder of how fragile his life had become. I sat slumped in the chair beside his bed, my elbows resting on my knees, my head in my hands.I hadn’t slept all night, too afraid to close my eyes. His breathing had grown weaker with each passing hour, and the thought of losing him—of hearing that final, shuddering breath—terrified me.Dad’s frail frame looked so small against the white sheets, a ghost of the man he once was. This was the man who had commanded boardrooms, who had stood tall and proud as the CEO of Weston Corp.But now, his skin was ashen, his once piercing eyes dull and unfocused.I rested my head against the edge of the bed, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions that had consumed me since yesterday. The chaos of the anniversary r