~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~“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~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~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
~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,
~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~Back in my villa, the silence was unbearable. I paced the length of the living room, my shoes tapping rhythmically against the marble floor.My mind was racing, each thought more damning than the last.My fists clenched and unclenched at my sides as I tried to rein in my boiling anger.The sound of the front door creaking open pulled me out of my spiraling thoughts. Derrick stepped inside, looking slightly out of breath, a sheen of sweat on his forehead.“Sir, sorry for the lateness,” he said, straightening his tie. “The workload at Weston is piling up too much.”" Thanks for your hard work Derrick." I muttered absentmindedly.I stopped pacing and turned to him, narrowing my eyes"It’s been a while since I’ve seen your face. You don’t even sleep here anymore.”“I thought you needed privacy with your family,” Derrick replied hesitantly, avoiding my gaze.“Family?” I let out a bitter laugh, the sound sharp and hollow. “Funny how that word doesn’t seem to exist anymore.”His bro
~Lucas~We dragged Griffin out of the hospital, his shuffling feet barely keeping up with Derrick and the guards holding him on either side.The hospital security tried to intervene, their voices sharp as they demanded to know what was going on.But Griffin raised a hand, his voice shaky and resigned.“It’s alright,” he said weakly. “I’m going on my own accord.”That seemed to settle the commotion, and we quickly moved through the entrance, stepping into the evening light. The golden glow of the setting sun spilled over the parking lot, painting everything in an orange glow.The air was cooling, but the tension was palpable.We shoved Griffin into the back seat of the car, Derrick sliding in beside him while I got into the passenger seat. One of the guards slid into the driver’s seat and pulled away, the hum of the engine breaking the silence as we left the hospital behind, the convoy of guards tailing us.“We can’t take him home,” I said suddenly, my voice cutting through the stillne
~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