Chapter 131 Lucas’s Pov“What is wrong with you, Lucas?” Lisa’s voice screeched through the house the moment I walked in. I barely had the energy to acknowledge her. My mind was still tangled in the heated argument I’d had with Sienna. The image of her yelling at me, tears streaming down her face, was burned into my memory. “Lucas!” Lisa yelled again, stepping in front of me and blocking my path. I stopped, narrowing my eyes at her. “What now, Lisa?” Her eyes flared with anger. “What now? Really? You’ve been distant for weeks, and now Sienna’s back in town, stirring up all kinds of trouble. And you expect me to just sit here and take it?” “Leave her out of this,” I snapped, my voice low and dangerous. She scoffed, crossing her arms. “Oh, leave her out of it? You think I don’t see what’s going on? You’re obsessed with her, Lucas! You’ve been acting like a moody teenager ever since you found out she was back.” “I’m not doing this right now,” I said, brushing past her.
Chapter 132Sienna’s Pov "David, I need your help,” I said firmly as I set down my coffee mug on the counter. David glanced up from his book, his brows furrowed in concern. “What’s going on?” “It’s Lucas,” I said, exhaling heavily. “He’s losing it. He’s been showing up everywhere, and I don’t want him near Daphne anymore. I’m serious, David. If you see him anywhere near her, send him away. I can’t let a man like him anywhere close to my daughter.” David nodded slowly, setting his book aside. “I’ll take care of it. You know I’ll protect both of you.” “Thank you,” I said, giving him a faint smile. “I just need some peace of mind.” But Lucas didn’t make it easy. Everywhere I turned, he seemed to be there. Sometimes I’d catch him outside the school gates, watching as Daphne skipped inside. Other times, he’d be at the grocery store, conveniently “bumping” into me. His presence was suffocating, and each time I saw him, the guilt in his eyes made my blood boil. “I’m sorry, S
Chapter 133Sienna’s POVThe day had already been heavy with emotions, and I wasn’t ready for another disruption. Yet, when the doorbell rang and I saw Uncle Max standing there, I froze in surprise. “Uncle Max?” I said cautiously, opening the door wider. “Sienna,” he greeted, his voice calm but firm as he stepped inside uninvited. I blinked, shutting the door behind him. “What are you doing here?” He smiled faintly. “I came to see how you were holding up. After everything Lucas has put you through, I’d say you’re handling it better than most would.” I folded my arms, trying to maintain some composure. “How do you even know about any of this?” He shrugged, sitting down on the couch like he owned the place. “I’m his uncle, remember? He told me everything.” That caught me off guard. Lucas and Uncle Max were never close. Why would he share something so personal with him? I sat down across from him, my brows furrowed. “I find it hard to believe that Lucas would confide in
Chapter 134 Sienna’s Pov I glanced at the clock as I stirred the pot on the stove. David had texted earlier, saying he’d be back soon, and I wanted everything to be perfect. It wasn’t much, just something simple, warm, and welcoming. The least I could do for someone who had gone out of his way to make Daphne and me feel safe and cared for. The aroma of roasted chicken and vegetables filled the kitchen as I set the table. Daphne peeked in, her little nose wrinkling as she sniffed the air. “Is Uncle David coming?” she asked, her voice filled with excitement. “Yes, sweetheart,” I said, smiling. “He’ll be here soon.” She clapped her hands and spun around in delight before running back to her room. Her happiness was contagious, but I couldn’t deny the flutter of nerves in my chest. When David finally arrived, Daphne bolted to the door, throwing herself into his arms. “Uncle David!” she squealed, giggling as he lifted her into the air. “Hey, princess,” he said, hugging h
Chapter 135Ryan's Pov. "I can't just give up," I muttered to myself, staring at the pile of gifts I’d meticulously selected for Sienna. Everything was top-tier, from the restaurant’s financial plans to the imported decorations I had delivered. She deserved the best, and if she couldn’t see that yet, I was determined to make her. I arrived at her doorstep with everything packed neatly in my car. My heart raced as I approached the door, gifts in hand. It had been days since I last saw her, and each moment without her felt like an eternity. When Sienna opened the door, her face was a mix of surprise and frustration. “What is all this, Ryan?” she asked, her voice heavy with irritation. “It’s for you,” I said, grinning as I held out the gifts. “I wanted to show you how much you mean to me.” She stepped back, narrowing her eyes. “Ryan, I told you already. Stop wasting your money. This…” she gestured to the boxes in my hands, “...this isn’t what I need.” “But it’s what you
Chapter 136 Sienna’s Pov“Why can’t things ever stay simple?” I muttered under my breath. My thoughts were in a mess, circling back to David storming out the other day. I hadn’t seen him this angry before, and it left a sour taste in my mouth. I knew it was my fault. I’d pushed him away when all he wanted was to be there for me. But could I blame myself entirely? Every time someone got close, they seemed to want more than I was ready to give. Why couldn’t any of them just stay without growing feelings for me? Was I the problem? I sank into the couch, gripping the fabric of my skirt as my mind spiraled. First, Ryan had professed his love; now David was furious, and then there was Lucas, who had somehow decided it was his right to waltz back into our lives. The audacity of these men! My thoughts were so loud, I barely noticed Daphne calling me from across the room. “Mommy!” her voice was faint in the background of my mind, muffled by my relentless overthinking. What did they
Chapter 137 Lucas’s Pov“I should have never announced the engagement,” I muttered, staring at the glass of whiskey in my hand. The dim light in my study cast long shadows across the room, mirroring the mess my life had become. Lisa’s behavior was driving me to the edge. Every day, she found new ways to make me regret the decision. Late-night clubbing, coming home drunk, ignoring me completely, it was as if she had forgotten the engagement even existed. I hadn’t seen her sober in days, and the rare moments we spoke were filled with arguments. My company was in shambles. Once a prestigious name, it had fallen off the list of top 20 most recognized businesses in the country. I had lost workers, clients, and my own confidence. The people I used to rely on had abandoned me one by one, leaving me to pick up the pieces alone. The loneliness was suffocating. I closed my eyes, and Sienna’s face filled my mind. Her strength, her determination, the way she carried herself despite the w
Chapter 138 Sienna’s PovThe morning light streamed through the curtains as I stretched and yawned. I glanced at the clock. 7:30 a.m. It was earlier than I usually woke up, but something felt off. I peeked outside, and my breath hitched. Lucas was still there, leaning against his car, arms folded, looking like he hadn’t slept all night. He was shivering slightly, his breath visible in the cold morning air. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Part of me wanted to ignore him, to pretend he wasn’t there. But another part, the part that still cared, even though I didn’t want to admit it couldn’t leave him like that. Wrapping a shawl around my shoulders, I opened the door and stepped out. “Lucas,” I called, my voice sharp but not unkind. He looked up, his eyes tired but hopeful. “Sienna.” “What are you doing here?” I asked, folding my arms. “I… I just wanted to see Daphne,” he said, his voice almost pleading. I hesitated, my heart softening just a little. “Fine. Come i
Chapter 151Sienna’s PovThe soft buzz of my phone startled me. I reached for it, half-distracted by my thoughts. A message had come in, and as soon as I saw Lucas’s name, my heart tightened. I already knew what it would say. “Good morning, Sienna. Just a reminder to meet me tonight. I’ll come with Daphne. Please, just us.”I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Part of me had been waiting for this, and another part of me wasn’t ready. Why did he always manage to push his way into my thoughts, even when I swore I had moved on? I sat there staring at the message. There was a small voice in my head whispering that I shouldn’t go, that I should let him feel the cold edge of rejection. But another part of me, a quiet, stubborn part, wanted to be there, alone with him, to see if Lisa was still in the picture, to understand his intentions. For all his mistakes, Lucas was Daphne’s father. And as much as I hated admitting it, he had been acting differently lately, calmer, mo
Chapter 150 Lucas’s PovI sat across from Jenny, her sharp eyes scanning my face as I sipped the last of my whiskey. She had been quiet for a while, waiting for me to explain why I looked so distracted. Finally, I sighed and spoke. “I’m not even sure if I still love her,” I admitted, leaning back in my chair. “But I’m sure of one thing; I’m falling for her again. It’s like…I can’t let go. I don’t want to. It’s all I know right now, and I’m holding onto it.” Jenny smirked, setting her glass down. “Well, Lucas, that’s progress. It’s about time you figured out what you want. But I’m guessing this revelation doesn’t make things any easier.” “No,” I said, shaking my head. “Not at all. But I know what I have to do now.” Jenny nodded, her expression softening. “Then go after it. Just remember, you’re not the same man you were. She’s not the same woman either.” We left soon after, her words replaying in my head like a mantra. When I got home, the silence hit me harder than usual. T
Chapter 149 Sienna’s PovI felt like my body weighed a ton when I finally walked through the door of my home. Exhaustion was an understatement. The day had been chaotic, and every muscle in my body ached from running errands and dealing with the people in my life. I dropped my bag on the couch and immediately grabbed my laptop. There were a few emails to send to companies I knew needed consulting, and I wasn’t about to fall behind on my work. As I typed out the last email, I found my thoughts drifting to Ryan. He hadn’t returned any of my calls or texts, which wasn’t like him. My fingers hesitated over the keyboard before I finally grabbed my phone and dialed his number again. “Ryan?” I asked when he finally picked up after several rings. “Sienna,” he said, his voice calm. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you. I’ve already headed out of town. I needed to clear my head.” I sighed in relief. “I was just worried. Are you okay?” “I’m fine. You take care of yourself, Sienna. And
Chapter 148 Lucas’s Pov"Jenny, you’re okay with taking Daphne out, right?" I asked over the phone, my tone light but distracted. “Of course! Daphne’s adorable,” Jenny responded cheerfully. “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.” I sighed, trying to shake off the lingering annoyance that Lisa’s recent actions had left behind. I already sent her packing, and honestly, I didn’t have the energy to dwell on it. Right now, all that mattered was spending time with Daphne and enjoying the rare peace I had made with Sienna, even if it was fragile. When Jenny arrived, Daphne’s face lit up. “Aunt Jenny!” she squealed, running into her arms. I chuckled at her excitement and helped Daphne into the car. Jenny settled into the passenger seat, chatting animatedly with Daphne while I drove. I felt a faint sense of relief watching them. Maybe things could be normal, even if just for a day. We decided on a park near a popular cafe for our outing. Daphne couldn’t wait to play, so I carried her t
Chapter 147 Sienna's Pov“Where’s Daphne?” David’s voice pulled me out of my slumber, and as I blinked my eyes open, I realized I was in his arms. I felt disoriented, like I had been asleep for days. “She’s with Lucas,” he said softly, helping me sit upright. “What happened to me?” I asked, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “You fell asleep out of nowhere. You looked so tired, so I didn’t wake you. I thought you needed the rest.” I blinked again, still trying to piece together my thoughts. “How long was I asleep?” “For hours,” David said, smiling gently. “I figured it was time to take you home anyway.” His warmth and kindness were always comforting, but a small pang of unease settled in my chest at the mention of Lucas and Daphne. “Daphne’s still with Lucas?” “Yes,” David confirmed, his tone careful. “Are you okay with that? I mean...him taking her?” I hesitated. “She’s his daughter, after all. I just...I don’t want him thinking he can swoop in and claim owner
Chapter 146 Lucas's Pov“Lucas…” Her voice was soft, almost like a whisper, as she turned slightly in her sleep. I froze, standing at the edge of the bed in Sienna’s room, watching her closely. She was fast asleep, her face peaceful yet slightly flushed from exhaustion. Hearing my name again stirred something deep inside me. This was the second time she’d murmured it, the first when we were at the bar. I leaned closer, careful not to wake her, wondering if it was my imagination. “Sienna…” I whispered back, but she didn’t stir. She shifted again, her lips moving faintly, and my name escaped her lips once more. My chest tightened, and I pulled back. As much as I wanted to be near her, I wouldn’t let it look like I was taking advantage of her in such a vulnerable state. I sighed deeply, brushing a hand through my hair. “This is not the right time, Lucas.”Leaving her room, I found David nearby, pacing anxiously in the hallway. “She’s still asleep,” I said quietly. “I need to
Chapter 145Ryan’s Pov“I love you, Sienna,” I whispered under my breath as I stood near the edge of the patio, just within earshot of Sienna and Lucas’s conversation. My jaw tightened at Lucas’s pathetic attempt to win her back. His groveling made my stomach churn, but her responses kept me glued in place, hoping she’d shut him down for good. “You had your chance,” I muttered to myself, gripping the edge of the wooden railing. “Ryan?” I turned sharply to see David approaching. He had a quizzical expression, his arms crossed. “What are you doing here?” he asked, his gaze flicking toward Sienna and Lucas. “Nothing,” I replied quickly. “Just making sure Lucas doesn’t pull one of his stunts again.” David frowned. “You’re eavesdropping. That’s not right.” “I’m not eavesdropping,” I said defensively. “I’m looking out for her.” David didn’t look convinced, and I sighed. “Fine. You’re right. It’s not my business. Let’s grab some drinks and cool off,” I suggested, slapping hi
Chapter 144Sienna’s Pov“You are admired beyond measure, and I’m deeply sorry for everything I’ve done to hurt you,” the message read. Along with it came a box of expensive chocolates, a delicate bracelet, and a handwritten letter. I sighed, setting the gifts on the counter. “Lucas,” I muttered to myself. Who else would send such a message? Still, I brushed it off, refusing to let it distract me. I had more pressing matters at hand, packing for the vacation. I called David as I zipped up Daphne’s bag. “We’re all set,” I told him. “Great,” he said, his voice warm. “I’ll pick you both up soon.” But as I ended the call, another thought crossed my mind. If David and Ryan could just get along, this trip might actually be enjoyable. Against my better judgment, I picked up the phone and called Ryan too. “Ryan,” I began, “I was wondering if you’d like to come on the trip with us. Daphne would love to see you.” There was a pause on the other end before he answered. “Of course. If
Chapter 143Lucas's PovI sighed as I stared at my phone. I had been calling Lisa repeatedly, but every call went unanswered. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks, Lisa was gone for good. “Good riddance,” I muttered under my breath, but even as I said it, loneliness wrapped around me like a cold blanket. My life had become a mess. My company was struggling, my fiancée was gone, and the only people who brought me happiness, Sienna and Daphne, wanted nothing to do with me. Unable to bear the emptiness, I grabbed my keys and headed out to a nearby bar. I sat in a corner, nursing my drink. It was my third glass, and I was already feeling its effects when a cheerful voice interrupted my thoughts. “Mind if I join you?” I looked up to see a woman with short, curly hair and a bright smile. She seemed out of place in the dreary bar, but her energy was contagious. “Sure,” I mumbled, gesturing to the seat beside me. “I’m Jenny,” she said, holding out her hand. “Lucas,” I re