~Sienna~His lips devoured mine, hungry and relentless, and I couldn’t stop myself from tangling my fingers into his thick hair, pulling him closer. My heart thundered against my ribs, and I knew he could feel it, pressed so tightly against him.Lucas’s hands roamed my body, his touch firm but electric, leaving a trail of fire wherever he explored.When his hand cupped my breast, his thumb brushing over my hardened nipple through the thin fabric of my shirt, a gasp escaped me. My hips bucked involuntarily against him as he ground into me, his hardness pressing firmly into my core.I arched into him, desperate to feel more. His hands slid beneath my shirt, grazing the bare skin of my back.I shivered, the sensation electric.His mouth found mine again, his kiss searing and demanding. I responded without hesitation, my nails digging into his broad shoulders as the heat between us intensified.Every touch, every kiss, every movement built on the tension coiling tighter and tighter betwee
~Grant~I leaned back in my chair, the leather creaking under my weight, the scent of freshly brewed Earl Grey tea wafting from the cup on my desk. I stared at the ceiling of my office, its delicate wood paneling blurring as my mind churned.I'm now back in Bellmore and the air felt stale with the bitter taste of failure clinging to me like a curse.Lucas had beaten me. Again.Not just in securing the Laurent deal, but in proving that Sienna, the woman I once dismissed, was far more valuable than I’d ever realized. She wasn’t just another pawn in this game of corporate chess. She was a queen—intelligent, resourceful, and capable of tilting the board in Lucas’s favor.I dragged my gaze to the neat pile of documents and reports stacked on my desk, courtesy of Lucas absence.My jaw tightened as I clenched my fists under the table. Sienna's a gem, I hadn’t seen it before, blinded by my arrogance and the assumption that she would always be within my grasp.But now? Now I knew better. Sienn
~Lucas~The return to Bellmore was bittersweet. The sight of the familiar skyline was supposed to feel like a victory, but all I felt was tension simmering under the surface. Derrick had already dropped Sienna and her sister at their place, leaving me alone with Étienne Laurent in the backseat.Étienne was all smiles, sipping from his travel mug and gazing out the window like this was just another successful day. And it was—for him. He’d secured the deal with Weston, and I’d proven my worth. But I couldn’t shake the gnawing feeling that Grant and his scheming mother wouldn’t let this victory go unchallenged.Two sleek black SUVs followed us, their tinted windows hiding Étienne’s security detail. As soon as Derrick pulled up before Weston’s looming structure, the guards emerged, their sharp gazes scanning the area.Derrick opened the door, and Étienne adjusted his suit jacket before stepping out. His pace was calm and composed, his demeanor exuding quiet confidence. The guards flanked
~Lucas~He knows about Sienna and the fake identity.My father sat across from me in the grand conference room, his posture stiff and commanding, the air around him heavy with disapproval. His once-tanned skin looked pale under the chandelier lights, his age showing more than usual. The faint tremor in his hands betrayed the fury simmering beneath his composed exterior.“Why did you have to lie to me?” His voice, though calm, carried a dangerous edge that sent a chill down my spine. “Go through such lengths, creating a fake profile for her?”I held his gaze, refusing to flinch. “But you wanted a daughter-in-law, didn’t you?” My voice was steady, though my hands clenched into fists beneath the table. “I provided you one.”“A daughter-in-law?” he hissed, his tone sharpening. “An employee in my company?”He leaned forward, his piercing gaze cutting through me. “You know I won’t tolerate that.”“She’s not just an employee, Dad,” I shot back, my voice rising despite my best efforts to stay
~Lucas~I pulled out my phone and dialed Sienna. She answered almost instantly.“Lucas?” Her voice, soft and familiar, sent a calm through me that I hadn’t felt all day.“I’m outside,” I said, glancing toward her street. “Can you come down?”“Okay, I’ll be right there,” she said, a smile audible in her tone.Moments later, I spotted her stepping out of the house with her little sister Hannah in tow. She wore a cozy cardigan that clung to her frame, paired with dark jeans and fluffy slippers. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold, her hair slightly tousled as if she’d been lying on the couch moments before. She looked effortlessly stunning, and my chest tightened at the sight of her.Hannah, bundled up in a bright pink coat that made her look like a walking marshmallow, skipped beside her, her energy boundless.Derrick stepped out of the car as they approached, grinning like he had somewhere else he’d rather be. “I’ll take her for a walk,” he said, nodding toward Hannah. He didn’t wait f
~Sienna~I stepped out of the car, clutching the bouquet of crimson roses and white lilies Lucas had given me. The soft fragrance of the flowers wrapped around me, their delicate scent mixing with the crisp evening air. The roses were velvety to the touch, their deep red petals glowing softly under the porch light. My forehead still burned from the way Lucas kissed me goodbye—his lips lingering longer than they should, as if reluctant to part. My heart was thudding so loudly I could barely hear myself think, the rhythm pulsing in my ears like a drumbeat. "He’s amazing," I thought, pressing the bouquet to my nose. The soft petals brushed against my skin, and a small smile tugged at my lips. Everything about tonight had felt perfect—too perfect. Lucas had a way of making me feel like the center of his universe, like nothing else mattered when we were together. It was intoxicating, the kind of happiness that felt almost unreal, as though it could slip away if I wasn’t careful. As I
~Sienna~The familiar chatter of our colleagues greeted us, and for a moment, the buzz of work distracted me. Vivian, called us into her office, her sharp gaze softening slightly as she looked at me. “Miss Wilde, sorry about the kidnapping issues. Were the kidnappers arrested?” “The case has died down,” I said quickly, not wanting to linger on the topic. “I have no interest in pursuing it.” Vivian nodded, turning her attention to Violet.“And Miss Blake, I’m sorry for your loss. Losing a partner is never easy.” Violet’s face tightened, but she nodded politely trying to look as sad as she could.“Thank you, Miss Price.” She sniffled, as if trying to hold back tears.I nearly burst into laugh at Violet fake sadness but I stifled it, can't blow her lies in Vivian's face.“Well, welcome back, both of you. Now, get to work. Weston has officially partnered with Laurent Empire, and we need all hands on deck for brainstorming.” We nodded respectfully and then returned to the piles of wor
~Sienna~Daddy?The word echoed in my mind, over and over, like a cruel taunt. My heart shattered into a thousand pieces, each one stabbing painfully into my chest as I tried to process what I was seeing, what I was hearing.Lucas—my Lucas—stood there, frozen, the weight of the moment etched into his face. He looked as though the ground had been pulled out from beneath him, but I didn’t care.How could he possibly look like the victim in this? I’m the one whose world is falling apart.His expression hardened, his jaw clenching as he ran a hand through his hair, clearly grappling with what to say, how to explain. But no explanation came. He just stood there, staring at me with a mix of regret and helplessness, as if he knew that nothing he could say would make this better.The silence was unbearable, every second stretching into an eternity as I stood frozen in place, my mind a chaotic mess of disbelief and anguish.I managed to pull myself together enough to speak, though my voice bar
~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