CHAPTER NINE: A FRAGILE BOUNDARY.

The faint clicks of the laptop’s keyboard fill the silence between them, but it does nothing to ease the tension building in Sienna’s chest. Her hand rises to the necklace resting against her skin, her movements uneasy. She avoids Noah’s eyes, wary of letting her emotions spill over. Taking a deep breath, she prepares to speak, but Noah beats her to it.

“I can see you staring at me,” Noah says, clearly growing tired of the looks she keeps stealing.

“I want to talk,” she finally manages.

Noah’s gaze remains glued to his laptop screen. “What’s on your mind, Sienna?”

She hesitates for a moment, her grip tightening around the necklace. “Let’s start with this,” she says, lifting it slightly so it catches the dim light inside the car. “I can’t accept something this valuable. Please, take it back.”

Noah’s expression remains neutral, his eyes never leaving the screen. “It’s just a necklace, Sienna. If you don’t like it, throw it away.”

Finally, she forces herself to look at him, her frustration bubbling up. How could he be so indifferent? “I don’t want to throw it away. I just… I can’t wear something like this.”

Noah’s lack of response feels like hitting a brick wall, and she can’t shake the growing sense of helplessness.

Growing more frustrated, she digs into her bag and pulls out the $100,000 cheque. “Take this too,” she says, holding it out in front of him. “I haven’t done anything for you, so I don’t see why I should keep it.”

This time, Noah’s gaze snaps up from the screen, his eyes narrowing, face unreadable. The usual charm that he carries like a shield is gone, replaced by something darker. Sienna feels as though she’s an insect under a microscope, every movement examined, every word dissected.

Still, she isn’t backing down. Enough is enough.

“I don’t think we should meet again,” she continues, her voice faltering. “I’m just an ordinary student. Please, let me go.”

Noah’s hand moves suddenly, and with a sharp flick of his wrist, he turns off the computer. The sound of it snapping shut echoes in the small space, and for a moment, Sienna feels like she’s been plunged into cold water. The temperature in the car seems to drop, and the silence that follows is suffocating.

Noah’s eyes are locked on hers now, his gaze intense, almost predatory. “You may not realize this,” he says quietly, his voice low and menacing, “but you don’t have the right to negotiate with me. As long as I want, you’re not going anywhere.”

Sienna’s breath catches in her throat, panic rising like a wave. She feels cornered, trapped in a space too small to escape from. “Even if you want revenge,” she stammers, trying to keep her voice steady, “don’t you think bullying a girl like this is too much?”

Noah’s expression slightly changes at the word revenge, and Sienna sees it—shock, maybe, or recognition.

“Yes,” she says. “I know. I haven’t forgotten you, Noah. Just like you haven’t forgotten me.”

The truth crashes between them, heavy and undeniable. Noah’s hands ball into a fist, but he doesn’t interrupt, his gaze never leaving her face.

“We’ve both grown up,” Sienna continues, her voice soft but steady. “We don’t look the same as we did when we were children, but I know you haven’t also forgotten my family.”

Noah’s expression darkens, and for the first time, she sees the pain behind his cold exterior.

“You won’t forget what my father did,” she says quietly, each word carefully chosen. “It was my father who caused your father to jump off that building. He’s the reason you and your mother had to flee to live abroad for so many years, why your life was turned upside down. How could you possibly forget?”

The car falls into absolute silence, Noah staring at her as though she’s just ripped open an old wound. His shattered. Sienna can see the boy she once knew behind the cold mask—the boy whose life had been destroyed by her father’s betrayal.

But now, they’re not children anymore, and the pain between them has only grown deeper with time.

Sienna’s palms grow damp, her throat constricting as she awaits Noah’s response. She’s crossed a line. She knows she’s said too much, pushed too far, but there’s no turning back now.

“No, Sienna, you don’t know everything,” Noah’s voice rumbles, low and menacing.

“I do,” she insists. “But, I think it’s time to let go.”

Laughing, “Let go?” he repeats, incredulous. “You think you can just walk away?” Shaking his head in disappointment, “You’re a carbon copy of Stark Davis. Same fire, same conviction.”

Sienna’s face burns. “I’m nothing like him!”

Noah’s gaze flashes anger, his breathing quickening. “It doesn’t matter now. Congratulations, Sienna Davis. You’ve just awakened the beast."

Sienna’s gaze searches Noah’s face, seeking remnants of the boy she once knew. But the man before her is a stranger, his eyes hardening like steel.

“You should have already investigated me,” Sienna continues, her voice steady. “I was kicked out seven years ago. I was just a child then.”

Noah’s expression twists, his jaw clenching. “Do you think your age excuses your family’s actions?”

Sienna’s eyes narrow. “I’m not talking about my family. I’m talking about me.”

But Noah isn’t listening. “Do you think you’re innocent, Sienna?” he sneers. “Let me tell you, not a single person in your family is innocent.”

Sienna’s face stings as if slapped. “That’s not fair,” she protests, her voice trembling.

Noah’s laughter is cold. “Fair? You want to talk about fair? Your family destroys mine. They take everything from me.”

Sienna’s heart aches. She knows Noah’s family suffered, but she’s never realized the depth of his pain.

“I’m sorry, Noah,” she whispers.

Noah’s eyes flash with anger. “Sorry? Sorry isn’t enough. You’re a Davis, Sienna. Your family’s legacy is built on lies and deceit.”

Sienna feels a surge of defiance. “I’m not my family,” she says, her voice firm. “I’ve spent years trying to escape their shadow.”

Noah’s gaze pierces hers. “And yet, here you are, still entangled in their web of lies.”

Sienna’s eyes prick with tears. She hopes Noah will see her, truly see her, but he’s lost in his darkness.

“Maybe I am guilty by association,” Sienna says, her voice barely above a whisper. “But I’m trying to make amends. Can’t you see that?”

Noah’s expression softens, ever so slightly. For a moment, Sienna glimpses the boy she once knew.

But it’s just a slight change. Noah’s mask slips back into place.

“I’ll never trust a Davis,” he says, his voice cold.

Sienna’s heart shatters. She’s lost Noah twice – once to her family’s mistakes, and now to his bitterness.