All night, Sienna can’t sleep, and this morning starts off rough. Her mind is fixed on one person: Noah King. Even in his absence, he fills up her mind.
Sienna’s fingers instinctively wander to the necklace draped elegantly around her neck, the cool metal like an electric shock waking every nerve. The delicate platinum chain holds a stunning diamond solitaire, accompanied by a vibrant peridot – her birthstone – and surrounded by a halo of smaller diamonds that sparkle like whispers.
Her mind is a jumble of emotions as she thinks about Noah gifting it to her. She can’t shake off the feeling that there’s more to this gesture than meets the eye. Is it a genuine attempt to connect or a clever manipulation? Sienna’s thoughts swirl, replaying their encounter in vivid detail.
As her fingers trace the pendant’s curves, she feels an unsettling sense of vulnerability. This beautiful necklace, meant to adorn her, now feels like an invisible thread binding her to Noah. The peridot, once a symbol of her individuality, now seems tainted by his intentions.
Sienna’s gaze drifts, lost in the whirlpool of her thoughts. What does Noah truly want from her? Is this a declaration of interest or a calculated move? And why does she care so deeply?
Her fingers slip away from the necklace, but her mind stays, fighting with the unpredictable bond forming between her and Noah.
She leans back on the bed’s headboard, exhaustion creeping over her. Last night’s lack of sleep finally catches up with her as her eyelids flutter shut. She slips into an uneasy doze, her mind dragging her into a hazy dream.
She’s a little girl again, standing in a sunlit field.In the dream, Sienna twirls in a sundress that flutters in the warm breeze, the fabric soft and light as it dances around her legs. The dress is a pale shade of yellow, delicate daisies embroidered along the hem, making her look like she’s part of the field itself.
Her bare feet sink slightly into the grass, and she feels the cool earth beneath her toes, the scent of wildflowers surrounding the environment. Her laughter rings out, pure and carefree, as she spins, her long hair catching the sunlight. Everything feels perfect—like the world is just as It should be, untouched by the complications and shadows of adulthood.
She turns, and there he is, standing not far from her. The boy watches her, his own grin wide and unburdened. He’s dressed in simple clothes—a white cotton shirt with the sleeves rolled up, slightly oversized but comfortable, and a pair of soft brown shorts.
His hair, dark and messy, falls into his eyes, and he pushes it back with a playful flick. His cheeks are flushed from running, and his eyes, wide and bright, sparkle with joy. There’s no hint of the man he’ll become, no responsibility or revenge—just a boy who is happy, without a care in the world.
Sienna rushes toward him, closing the distance between them. As they meet, he grabs her hand, pulling her into a twirl of their own, and she laughs again, breathless with happiness. The boy laughs too, his voice light, full of innocence, like the very idea of sadness or anger is a distant concept neither of them could ever understand.
Together, they run through the field, hand in hand, their small bodies cutting through the tall grass as the sun beats down from above. There’s no urgency, no fear—just the bliss of being young, of being free, with nothing in their lives but this moment.
They stop eventually, breathless and smiling, and the boy turns to her, his expression softening. He holds her gaze, his hand still clutching hers, like he never wants to let go. “You must grow up quickly,” he says, his voice steady but filled with a kind of longing she doesn’t yet understand. “And marry me.”
Sienna smiles at him, the words filling her with a warmth she can’t explain. In this perfect moment, under the golden sky, it all seems so simple—like there’s nothing in the world that could ever tear them apart. They stand there, side by side, as if they have all the time in the world, not knowing that everything would change, that the innocence of this moment would be lost.
Sienna blinks, frozen in place as the words hit her like a wave. Before she can respond, the scene shifts, and the boy begins to fade, the edges of his form blurring like smoke. The warmth of the sun cools, and suddenly she’s alone again, reaching out for something she can’t quite grasp.
Her eyes snap open, and she’s back in the apartment. Her breath comes out in shaky gasps, and she quickly wipes at the dampness on her cheeks.
The dream clings to her like oxygen, its sounds refusing to fade. The voice in her ears, a haunting melody that’s both familiar and elusive. Sienna’s mind conjures Noah’s face, and she’s arrested by the uncanny resemblance to the boy in her dream. The same piercing eyes, the same chiseled jawline, but softer, more vulnerable.
A pang of nostalgia stirs within her. This younger version of Noah, frozen in time, bears little resemblance to the man who now dominates her every waking moment. The one who’s stolen her sleep, hijacked her thoughts, and left her questioning everything.
As she lies there, suspended between reality and the dreamworld, Sienna feels the boundaries dying. Past and present collide, and she’s struck by the realization that her connection to Noah runs deeper than she ever imagined.
Sienna sits up, rubbing her temples. “It was just a dream. Get it together.”
But her heart tells her otherwise. They’ve all grown up, but everything has changed. The boy in her memory—so sweet, so full of hope—is a world away from the man Noah has become.
Her phone buzzes on the table, jarring her out of her thoughts. It’s her alarm blaring, reminding her about another dinner. Noah had invited her once more, and she agreed out of habit more than anything else. She swallows, still shaken by the dream, and forces herself off the couch. There's no time to dwell on the past.
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 ar
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 frustrati
Sienna doesn’t realize the car is slowing until Noah yanks her out, gripping her wrist tightly. Blinking in surprise, she takes in her surroundings: a sprawling villa stands alone, surrounded by endless land and a chilling silence, broken only by the wind. The villa’s modern lines and grand windows feel cold and isolated.It’s practically impossible to sneak in without getting caught on camera overlooking every corner.“Noah, wait,” she protests as he pulls her forward, stumbling over the gravel. He doesn’t care; his hold tightens as he drags her to the front door—a massive slab of wood with beautiful carvings. When they step inside, the heavy door creaks, and Sienna begins to tremble out of fear.The villa is as lifeless as the land outside. High ceilings and marble floors amplify their footsteps. A single chandelier illuminates the grand foyer. A winding staircase spirals upward, its polished banister gleaming in the gloom. The place feels immaculate, untouched, as if it has been wa
“Noah, please—stop!” she screams again, her voice breaking as she kicks against him. Her knee connects with his side, but it barely fazes him. His fingers dig into her skin as he presses his body closer, his need overpowering any sense of restraint. Tears blinds her vision as she fights, but it’s like pushing against a wall. He’s too strong, too driven by something dark and uncontrollable.Sienna’s breathing grows ragged, her chest rising and falling rapidly as her panic turns into full-blown terror. “Noah, no—stop!” she gasps, struggling harder. She kicks again, this time with more force, her heel connecting with his shin. It’s enough to throw him off balance for a moment, but his hands are back on her in an instant, rough and demanding as they move up her leg again.But then her body betrays her—her breath comes in quick, shallow bursts, her chest heaving uncontrollably. She’s hyperventilating, her vision darkening at the edges. Noah pauses, his hands freezing as he looks down at he
She fetches a small first-aid kit and begins treating the bruises with delicate hands. The silence between them is heavy, but it’s what Sienna needs right now. No words. No explanations. Just the quiet support of someone who’s always been there.Sienna winces as Mia dabs at a particularly dark bruise on her wrist, the spot where Noah had gripped her the hardest. Mia’s hand hesitates, her jaw clenching, but she still doesn’t ask. She doesn’t need to.Sienna leans back against the couch, so tired as her mind finally replayed everything like a broken record. She can barely keep her eyes open, but before she can drift off, her phone buzzes on the coffee table. The sound jolts her, pulling her from the edge of sleep.Mia glances at the phone, then back at Sienna. “Do you want me to get it?” she asks softly.Sienna doesn’t answer, her eyes fixed on the screen, but she doesn’t move. The caller ID flashes Noah King in bold letters. Shaking her head, she turns her face away. She can’t deal wit
“I don’t bite—what are you so afraid of?” Ethan’s voice is light, casual, as he releases Sienna and returns to his seat, settling in like he’s got all the time in the world. He gestures to the sofa across from him. “Come on. I’d like the company. Sit down.”Sienna stays planted where she is, suspicious. There’s no telling what he’s really after. Throwing his hands up in mock surrender, he grins. “Just sit and relax. You look like you could use it. I swear, I won’t do anything. If I do, feel free to kick me where it hurts.” His laughter softens the edge of his words.She considers his offer. Her feet ache in the stilettos she’s been wearing, reminding her how much she misses her sneakers and jeans. She’s never felt so out of her element.Finally, she gives in, setting her tray down and moving to the sofa. She eases herself onto it, crossing one leg over the other and meeting his gaze.Ethan leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You know,” he says, studying her, “you’re real
Sienna skips breakfast, rushing to class bright and early after waking up late. Just as her stomach begins to growl, a message pings on her phone—a summons to the school’s office. Something about her scholarship. She barely waits for class to end before slipping out, her heart thudding with hope and dread. But as she rounds the corner, she stops cold. Standing in her path, looking every inch like royalty, is her half-sister, Nylar.Nylar’s skin glows in the morning light, hair spilling in dark, perfect curls, lips painted a bold red. Everything about her screams money and confidence. Sienna’s instinct is to look away, avoid her entirely, but it’s too late. Those raven eyes are fixed on her, not about to let her escape.“Sienna,” Nylar calls out.Sienna’s steps slow, wary but determined not to let her discomfort show. “Nylar.”“I need to talk to you.” Nylar gestures toward a nearby café, her eyes narrowing as if testing how much control she still has. Sienna knows she should walk away,
It’s Sienna’s 19th birthday, and she doesn’t expect much. She spends most of the day on campus attending lectures, then rushes through a shift at the nightclub where she works as a waitress. But today feels different, as if the universe is finally cutting her a break.After clocking out, her phone rings. It’s her best friend, Mia Carter, insisting that she come over."I’ve got a surprise for you, birthday girl!" Mia teases.Mia’s vibrant presence always chases away Sienna’s darkest moods. Her chestnut-brown hair falls in effortless waves, framing bright green eyes that sparkle like emeralds. Living together in their cozy downtown apartment, they’ve forged an unbreakable bond over late-night laughs, inside jokes, and endless shifts at KAYOL, where they juggle trays and dreams as waitresses while Sienna continues her studies.Sienna smiles, already imagining what Mia has up her sleeve.As she pushes open the door to their apartment, the sweet scent of frosting reaches her before she eve