Chapter 18 Lucas’s pov The brightness on her face and the way she screamed her lungs out scared me. I really hoped she wouldn't feel too comfortable with me and think I'd take responsibility. It was way too complicated to take care of someone else's child. If only I knew she was cheating on me years ago, I wouldn't dare to stay with her for so long. If Sienna wanted her child to be happy then she would have done something better than what she had been doing to make her daughter happy. We were at the park for two hours and counting and Lisa’s call brought me back to thinking how much Sienna's evil mind has brought me to a predicament. I hurriedly picked her call, before she started to her suspicious of my actions. “Hey! You aren't at the office? Where are you? Let me come over there.” She sounded so sweet and it got me thinking if I should really still meet or talk to Sienna. I could tell it was time to take Daphne back to the hotel. Her play time was over anyways. “Lisa,
Chapter 19 Lucas's pov “You know I warned you, Lucas. But I talk too much and I'm not supposed to do or say anything apart from what you wanted.” He kept on ranting but I couldn't say anything either. I was really frustrated, if only I could just get to talk to her to stop her misbehavior on my business but it wasn't possible. Her face alone infuriated me. Sienna was so callous. All I was ever thinking of was how to get Sienna to stop her filthy acts on my business. “Can we talk about what I called you here for now?” He signed, holding up his hand like he had a suggestion then he dropped them and folded them. “I'm all ears, Lucas. What do you intend to do?” “Remember the last project we were supposed to handle but got breached?” “Yeah, I know that. All thanks to your psychopath ex wife.” “Ken, do you wish for death?” I said in a whisper so no one thinks we were having a fight, of course we were. “You aren't supposed to get on my nerves like she does and you aren't allowed
Chapter 20 Sienna's pov I couldn't imagine how far she could go just to shame and disgrace me, especially in front of Lucas. What would he think? That I wasn't better without him? “You always do things the wrong way, mum. Sometimes I don't even understand if you're mum or not and I just wish you could understand that I need to see my dad.” “Daphne…” I bent down to her height. Her chubby little legs looked swollen but I found out she didn't flinch or felt weak as her feet was steady. “.....You know I love you, Daphne. But you need to listen to me and not a stranger you just met.” “Really? Cause you two seem to know each other. Which makes me wonder why you don't want to see me with him.” “Actually, it's a different case. I don't know him but I'm just trying to protect you.” Lying to her was nothing, I didn't know him anyways. He never acted like he knew me. Touching her hands and she pulled them away from me. “Tell me where you went to with him.” I asked her. “I'm not say
Chapter 21 Lucas's POV I walked into the office that morning with one thing on my mind, stability. The last few months had been a mess, and everything I had worked for was slipping through my fingers, thanks to Sienna. Still, I couldn’t let that happen. Not to the company, not to myself. So when I told Ken to send out those emails, I had already decided this was going to be a defining moment. "Make sure every client knows we’re still here, and that we’re not going anywhere," I instructed Ken firmly, watching as he scribbled down notes and nodded. He was dependable, one of the few people I could count on when things got rough. "Also, gather everyone in the office. I want them to showcase their current projects and see if we can leverage anything for a new pitch." At least he didn't think my idea was bullshit for a while. He answered almost immediately and to keep his job he knew he needed to do that also. As I stood by the window in my office, the sunlight filtering in through
Chapter 22 Sienna's POV The kiss wouldn’t leave me. It wasn’t just the way his lips felt, or the surprise of it. it was everything it stirred up inside me. I’d closed my eyes countless times since then, and each time, it was right there, playing back like a loop I couldn’t escape. Normally, something like this wouldn’t affect me so much. I’d brush it off, ignore it. But this time, it was different. It felt different. I couldn’t get the image of Daphne’s face out of my mind either. Her little arms crossed, her expression so distant. She barely looked at me anymore. I had tried to talk to her, to make things right, but nothing worked. It was like every word I said just bounced right off of her. I didn’t know how to fix it. Earlier today, in one last desperate attempt, I asked her, "What can I do to make this up to you, baby? How do I make it right?" She just stared at me for the longest time, her eyes so intense it almost made me feel like she was much older than four. And
Chapter 23 Lucas’s POV The phone call caught me off guard. I hadn’t expected to hear from her, not like this. I knew right away it had something to do with Daphne; it had to. Sienna wouldn’t reach out otherwise. I didn’t waste time thinking about it. I grabbed my keys and headed straight for the hotel. When I walked into the lobby, I spotted them almost immediately, Sienna standing there, and Daphne beside her, looking up at me with those wide, expectant eyes and I could see that Daphne was waiting for something. Sienna cleared her throat, her voice softer than I remembered. “I’m... I’m sorry, Lucas,” she said, her eyes barely meeting mine. “Daphne wanted me to apologize.” That was it. No emotion, no explanation, just words strung together because her daughter had asked her to. I could feel the hollow tone in her voice, and I knew she didn’t mean it. But still, I wasn’t here for Sienna. I was here for Daphne. Kneeling down to Daphne's height, I scooped her up into my arms. She w
Chapter 24 Sienna’s POV As soon as Daphne was out of earshot, Lucas turned to me, his eyes were cold and filled with frustration. "You need to stop with this childish nonsense," he snapped. "The stories, the rumors, take them all down, Sienna. What is wrong with you?" I crossed my arms, not backing down. “Childish? You think that's childish? What about you telling me what to do, you don't think that's childish? ” His jaw clenched, the muscles in his neck tightening. “What has gotten into you!? Spreading lies about me isn’t just childish, it’s pathetic. You’re making everything worse for Daphne, can’t you see that?” “Lies?” I scoffed, feeling my blood start to boil. “You really think I’m the one who ruined everything, don’t you? You act like you’re some saint in all of this. And you think all of those are lies?” “This isn’t about me, Sienna! It’s about Daphne, and you know it.” “Don’t pretend like you’re doing this for her,” I shot back. “You don’t get to call the shots, Lucas.
Chapter 25 Lucas’s Pov How could she be so heartless and even finding it hard to do the right thing!? I just couldn't decipher what was up with her. If she found someone even before I left her she should be able to let it go properly. Why should I suffer for it? I drove home faster than usual, my mind raced with everything that had happened. The argument with Sienna replayed in my head on a loop, every word sharper than the last. How could she be so cruel? I just couldn't place my mind out of it, it was extremely frustrating to stop thinking about it. By the time I pulled into the driveway, I was exhausted, physically and mentally. I just wanted peace, something simple. I needed to let go of the frustration that clung to me like a second skin. I stepped through the door, Lisa was already there, waiting for me, obviously. She must have been waiting for a long time. She looked up, her eyes lighting up as soon as she saw me. Without saying a word, she wrapped her arms around my
Chapter 107 Sienna’s Pov“Let go of me, Lucas,” I said firmly, jerking my hand out of his grip. He stood there, his eyes searching mine as if looking for something, but I refused to meet his gaze. “It’s none of your business,” I said sharply. “Stay away from me. Stay away from Daphne.” His shoulders slumped slightly, and he sighed, but he didn’t respond. That was fine with me. I didn’t need to hear anything else. Turning on my heel, I marched toward my car, feeling his presence like a weight on my back. As I reached for the door handle, I felt his hand on mine again. “Let me go, Lucas,” I said without looking at him. His grip loosened slightly, but his voice was low and heavy. “Why do you keep running, Sienna? Why won’t you just tell me everything?” I pulled my hand free and finally looked at him, my tone cold. “I’m not holding you back, Lucas. I never was. If you think I am, that’s on you. Now, let me live my life and leave me alone.” Without giving him a chance to r
Chapter 105Sienna’s Pov“Ryan, you can’t keep putting your life on hold for me,” I said, my voice quiet but firm. Ryan stared at me, his expression conflicted. “Sienna, I’m not putting my life on hold. I just… I want to be here for you and Daphne. You know that.” I shook my head, taking a step back. “And I appreciate everything you’ve done. But you have your own responsibilities, your own dreams. You can’t stay here forever.” For a moment, he said nothing, his hands resting on his hips as he struggled to find the right words. “You’re sure about this?” “I am,” I replied softly. “I’ll be fine. We’ll be fine.” After a long pause, Ryan sighed, nodding reluctantly. “Alright. I’ll go. But I’ll be back sooner than you think, Sienna.” I forced a smile, watching as he gathered his things and left. The door closing behind him felt like the end of a chapter, a bittersweet one, but I knew it was the right decision. A few days later, the morning sun streamed through the windows as I
Chapter 105Sienna’s Pov“Ryan, you can’t keep putting your life on hold for me,” I said, my voice quiet but firm. Ryan stared at me, his expression conflicted. “Sienna, I’m not putting my life on hold. I just… I want to be here for you and Daphne. You know that.” I shook my head, taking a step back. “And I appreciate everything you’ve done. But you have your own responsibilities, your own dreams. You can’t stay here forever.” For a moment, he said nothing, his hands resting on his hips as he struggled to find the right words. “You’re sure about this?” “I am,” I replied softly. “I’ll be fine. We’ll be fine.” After a long pause, Ryan sighed, nodding reluctantly. “Alright. I’ll go. But I’ll be back sooner than you think, Sienna.” I forced a smile, watching as he gathered his things and left. The door closing behind him felt like the end of a chapter, a bittersweet one, but I knew it was the right decision. A few days later, the morning sun streamed through the windows as I
Chapter 104 Sienna’s Pov. "I don’t know how to say it," Ryan’s voice drifted through the partially closed door, low and tinged with nervousness. I paused in the hallway, balancing a tray of food for him. He wasn’t talking to anyone, just pacing in his room, his words tumbling out in a stream of anxious soliloquy. “I mean, how do you tell someone you love them without sounding desperate? She probably doesn’t even feel the same. What if I ruin everything?” My heart clenched, and I instinctively held my breath. He was talking about me. I didn’t know what to do. Should I walk away and pretend I hadn’t heard anything? Or should I go in and act like I hadn’t been eavesdropping? Before I could decide, he spoke again, quieter this time, almost to himself. “She’s been through so much already. Maybe it’s better if I keep quiet…” I knocked softly on the door, pushing it open before he could respond. Ryan spun around, startled, his face going pale for a second before he forced a s
Chapter 103 Lucas’s Pov“I cannot believe you, Lucas!” Lisa’s voice rang through the house, loud and sharp, as she paced back and forth in front of me, her friends sitting awkwardly on the couch nearby, pretending not to listen but clearly enjoying the drama. I rubbed my temples, already exhausted by the conversation. “Lisa, I told you, I’m not spending another dime on something as ridiculous as matching gold napkin rings for the rehearsal dinner,” I said, trying to keep my tone calm. She whirled around, glaring at me like I’d just insulted her entire existence. “It’s not just about the napkin rings, Lucas. It’s about you not taking this wedding seriously! You’re acting like it’s a burden instead of a celebration of us!” I took a deep breath, counting to five before responding. “Lisa, I am taking this seriously. I’m funding the entire thing, aren’t I? But there has to be a line somewhere. We don’t need to go overboard.” Her friends exchanged glances, barely stifling their s
Chapter 102 Ryan’s Pov“Sienna,” I began, my voice faltering as I stood on her porch, staring into her tired but beautiful eyes. The words were on the tip of my tongue, desperate to escape, but my courage wavered. “What is it, Ryan?” she asked, tilting her head slightly, her tone soft but curious. I glanced down, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I… uh… I was wondering if you and Daphne would like to go out today. You know, just to get some fresh air. I thought it might be nice for all of us.” Her brows furrowed slightly, as if she was trying to figure out what I was really asking, but then she nodded. “Daphne could use some fun,” she said. “It’s been a tough few weeks for her.” Relief washed over me, though part of me felt like a coward for dodging what I really wanted to say. But this wasn’t the right time, I told myself. Sienna had enough on her plate already without me adding more complications. By the time we left the house, Daphne was bouncing with excitement. She
Chapter 101Sienna's Pov "Mommy, why are you so quiet?" Daphne's voice broke the stillness of the room as she tilted her head, her curious eyes searching mine. I smiled weakly, brushing a strand of her hair back. "I'm just thinking, sweetheart. Nothing for you to worry about." But my heart was heavy. Ryan’s recent kindness lingered in my mind, and Lucas’s sudden reappearance only added to the chaos. It felt like my life was caught between two storms, both threatening to unravel everything I’d worked so hard to hold together. I reached for Daphne’s hand, squeezing it gently. "How about we bake something today? Cookies, maybe?" Her face lit up, and she nodded eagerly. “Yes! With chocolate chips!” “Chocolate chips it is,” I said, standing and leading her into the kitchen. The sound of Daphne’s laughter filled the kitchen as we rolled dough and pressed cookie cutters into the soft mixture. Flour dusted her cheeks, and her giggles grew louder when I smeared a bit of it on her
Chapter 100Lucas’s Pov"Mr. Lucas, I see you’ve arrived." The deep, commanding voice greeted me as I stepped into the lavish private dining room of The Green Ivy.The air smelled of exotic spices and freshly grilled meats, but my focus was immediately drawn to the long dining table in front of me. It was covered in an array of dishes that looked too extravagant for a simple meeting. From roasted duck and stuffed lobster to delicate pastries and expensive wines, the table was practically groaning under the weight of excess. I paused, uncertain if I was in the right place. “This is… unexpected,” I muttered under my breath. Before I could overthink it, a tall, sharply dressed man emerged from the shadows of the room. He exuded power, his every move deliberate and commanding. His dark suit fit him perfectly, and his silver watch glinted under the dim lighting. “Mr. Monroe,” he said, extending a hand as he approached. “I’ve been looking forward to this meeting. Please, sit.” I
Chapter 99Sienna’s PovI sat on the couch, my knees pulled tightly to my chest, tears streaming silently down my face. The house was quiet except for Ryan’s soft voice as he tried to soothe me. “Sienna, you’ve been through so much already. You can’t keep blaming yourself for everything,” he said gently, sitting down beside me. “It’s not just about me,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “Daphne’s been through so much because of me. I thought I could give her a stable life, but I’m failing her. I don’t even know how to fix this anymore.” Ryan sighed, reaching out to place a comforting hand on my shoulder. “You’re not failing her, Sienna. You’re a good mother, and she knows it. She adores you, and it’s obvious. You’re doing everything you can.” I couldn’t respond, the lump in my throat making it hard to breathe. Just then, Daphne’s weak voice called from her room, breaking the silence. I shot up instantly, rushing to her side. Her small body was curled up under the blankets, bu