~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~ Grant’s grip on my wrist was like a steel vice, his fingers digging into my skin as he yanked me toward a dark corner of the club. The crowded dance floor blurred around me, the music pounding like the rapid beat of my heart. “What the hell, Grant? Let me go!” I hissed, struggling against him. My heels skidded on the glossy floor as I fought to keep my balance. He didn’t respond, his smirk twisting into something darker as he pulled me further away from the main area. “Derrick!” I whispered urgently into the mic. “I’m being dragged—get the damn security team! I’m losing Étienne!” Through the earpiece, Derrick’s voice growled, “What the fu*k? Seems like he’s really bent on ruining things for us. Hold tight, Miss Wilde. Rescue is on the way.” I craned my neck, desperately trying to spot Étienne through the throng of people. He was already nearing the VIP section, his white kurta gleaming under the flashing lights. My stomach twisted painfully. “Derrick, I can’t lose him
~Sienna~ The night sky over Bellmore was dusted with stars, their soft glow spilling over the terrace at Verità, one of the city’s most romantic restaurants. Fairy lights sparkled above me, casting a warm light that danced across the silk of my dress. A flutter of nerves and excitement rushed through me. Four years—four years I’d been waiting for this moment. “Tonight's special,” I’d told myself. Grant had never been one for grand gestures, but this... this was different. He’d chosen the place, made the reservation. “Meet me there,” he’d said. And I’d let myself hope that tonight might finally be the night. My phone screen blinked back at me. He was late, the minutes dragging as I tried to keep my anxious mind from running wild. Finally, I saw him cross the restaurant’s entrance, dressed in denim shorts and a sleeveless shirt that flaunted those small arms of his, his tall frame familiar yet distant. I sat up straighter, my pulse racing as he walked toward me, though something in
~Sienna~ Grant’s grip on my wrist was like a steel vice, his fingers digging into my skin as he yanked me toward a dark corner of the club. The crowded dance floor blurred around me, the music pounding like the rapid beat of my heart. “What the hell, Grant? Let me go!” I hissed, struggling against him. My heels skidded on the glossy floor as I fought to keep my balance. He didn’t respond, his smirk twisting into something darker as he pulled me further away from the main area. “Derrick!” I whispered urgently into the mic. “I’m being dragged—get the damn security team! I’m losing Étienne!” Through the earpiece, Derrick’s voice growled, “What the fu*k? Seems like he’s really bent on ruining things for us. Hold tight, Miss Wilde. Rescue is on the way.” I craned my neck, desperately trying to spot Étienne through the throng of people. He was already nearing the VIP section, his white kurta gleaming under the flashing lights. My stomach twisted painfully. “Derrick, I can’t lose him
~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.
~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~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
~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~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~“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~ 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
~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