CHAPTER EIGHT: LET GO.

Sienna peels herself off the bed, her limbs heavy with her own emotions. Her body feels like a burden, as if it’s been anchored to the mattress by the sheer force of her sorrow.

Her legs tremble beneath her, threatening to collapse under the strain of her exhaustion. Each step feels like a Herculean effort, as if she’s wading through quicksand.

As she rises, the room around her seems to spin, a dizzying show of colors and shadows. Sienna’s eyes struggle to focus, her vision clouded by the tears she's desperate to hold back.

With a leaden heart, she forces herself forward, driven by a fragile thread of determination. Her feet carry her toward the bathroom.

The silence of the apartment is a blessing; Mia’s absence means she can avoid the awkwardness of pretending to be okay. She shuffles to the bathroom, seeking refuge in solitude in the quiet, dark space.

As she stands before the small mirror above the sink, her gaze meets her reflection. The exhaustion and anguish all over her face are visible unhidden. The dam breaks, and tears burst forth, releasing the pent-up pain, hurt, and rejection.

Sienna lets go, surrendering to the storm of emotions. She cries, her body shaking with sobs, and screams, the sound muffled by her hands. The release is cathartic, but also terrifying – as if acknowledging her vulnerability will consume her.

Finally, spent and drained, Sienna forces herself to stop. She takes a deep breath, and with shaking hands, begins to wash away the evidence of her breakdown. The cool water stings her puffy eyes, but she scrubs her face, desperate to erase the traces of her tears.

As she gazes at her reflection once more, Sienna sees a fragile, fractured version of herself staring back. She knows she can’t hide forever, but for now, she’ll pretend the mask of calmness will hold.

Sienna’s heart feels heavy as she leans against the window, watching Noah’s black car pull up in front of her apartment. She knows he’s waiting, but instead of rushing downstairs, she hesitates

Taking a deep breath, she fiddles with the necklace Noah gave her. She couldn’t bear to part with it, not even for a moment. The thought of losing it sent her mind racing with worst-case scenarios: theft, financial ruin, and the crushing weight of debt.

What if someone snatched it from her? She couldn’t shake the image of herself slaving away for years, struggling to repay Noah for something she couldn’t afford. The very idea made her grip on the necklace tighten.

Finally, she grabs her purse and heads downstairs. As she steps out into the cool evening air. Noah is waiting by the car, leaning casually against the door, but even his relaxed posture can’t mask the intensity in his eyes when they land on her. His dark suit fits him perfectly, every line sharp, every detail immaculate. It’s like he’s made for a world she can’t quite belong to.

Not just his presence is loud. His luxurious and imposing car doesn’t help matters. She groans inwardly, her unease growing as she notices the usual eyes from her neighbors on the expensive vehicle. The black car doesn’t belong here, just like Noah doesn’t belong in her life. Yet, here he is, again and again.

Sienna steps outside, drawing her jacket tighter around her, trying to ignore the feeling of being watched. She hates it—the way everyone seems to stare whenever Noah sends someone to pick her up or, worse, when he shows up himself.

It’s like the whole world knows something she doesn’t. As she reaches the car, his tall frame towers over her. His eyes find hers immediately, and he frowns, noticing the redness around her eyes.

“What happened?” His voice is calm but concerned, a rare softness beneath the usual edge.

Sienna forces a smile. “Nothing. I watched some sappy romantic movie earlier. It was… really touching.” She waves it off, quickly changing the subject. “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

He raises an eyebrow, clearly not convinced, but lets it go for now.

They stand there for a moment, and she glances back at the building, seeing her neighborhood’s gaze on her. Constriction builds in her chest, and she bites her lip, debating whether to say what’s been bothering her for weeks.

“Noah,” she starts hesitantly, “can we… stop with the show? I mean, the fancy cars and everything. People are always staring when you or your driver come to pick me up. It’s just… uncomfortable.”

Noah’s eyes narrow slightly, but he listens, his expression unreadable.

“I can take the bus to meet you,” she adds, trying to keep her voice light. “I don’t need all this attention.”

His jaw clenches for a moment, and then his gaze sharpens, the gentleness from before vanishing. “When it comes to me, I call the shots. I have told you that a lot of times, Sienna,” he says, his voice steady, leaving no room for argument. “You will not take a bus to come to me.”

The finality in his tone catches her off guard. She opens her mouth to protest, but his intense stare shuts her down before she can even start. His gaze is as firm as his words, and she realizes there’s no point in arguing. Not with Noah.

Sienna sighs and drops the subject. “Fine,” she mutters under her breath.

Noah holds the door open for her, his eyes never leaving her face as she steps inside. She’s still shaken from the dream, and now, his possessiveness adds another layer of unease to the evening. As they drive off, Sienna glances at him from the corner of her eye. He’s back to his laptop as always, probably ending someone else’s life with an unforgiving email condemning and dismissing their hard-work.

They’ve all grown up, but the boy she once knew has turned into something she doesn’t fully understand. And as much as she tries to push him away, a part of her can’t shake the feeling that she’s being drawn into a game she’s not ready to play.