Chapter 34 Lucas’s Pov“Lucas, what are we going to do?” Lisa’s voice had cracked with frustration earlier that morning, but now, as I stood in my office staring at the latest email, everything had changed.I was reading the confirmation over and over, not fully believing it. After so many losses, it felt surreal to finally have something solid.It had all started with a single email that caught my eye. The offer wasn’t massive, but it was enough to keep us afloat, to keep the company going. I could still hear the faint ping of my inbox, the subject line reading: Urgent Project Proposal – Immediate Attention Required.I opened it cautiously, half-expecting another hoax, but as I read through the details, my heart began to race. This was it. A real chance. The company was legitimate, the project clearly defined, and they were offering a contract that we desperately needed.I didn’t waste a second. I quickly sent a message to Ken…“Ken, we’ve got a new project. Start preparing the team
Chapter 35Sienna’s Pov“Daphne! Daphne!” My voice cracked, hoarse from hours of yelling, searching, running from one corner of the park to the next. The carousel, the rollercoaster, the stalls, none of it mattered anymore. Nothing but finding her. It had been hours since she disappeared, and every passing minute made my heart race harder. I had searched everywhere, asked every parent, every child, every worker. But no one had seen her. She was just... gone.Tears stung my eyes, but I didn’t have time to cry. I had to think, to keep moving. The sun was already setting, casting long shadows over the park, making it harder to see clearly. My stomach twisted in knots. Where was she?I knew what I had to do, even though the thought of leaving the park terrified me. I had to go to the police. I had to get help.I jumped into the car, my hands trembling as I gripped the steering wheel. The drive to the police station felt endless, every second ticking by like an eternity. My mind raced wit
Chapter 36Sienna's PovAs soon as we got home, I locked the door behind us, letting out a long breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I knelt down in front of Daphne, gently brushing her hair out of her face.“Sweetheart, how did you end up there? With that family?”Daphne blinked sleepily, rubbing her eyes. “I don’t know, Mama,” she mumbled. “I was on the horse ride, and then... I don’t remember. I just wanted to sleep. Can you sing me a song?”Her innocent words tugged at my heart, making it ache. She didn’t even realize how scared I had been, how close we came to losing each other. Tears welled up in my eyes before I could stop them, my emotions crashing down all at once.“Mama, why are you crying?” Daphne asked, her small hand reaching up to touch my face.I tried to smile, but the tears kept falling. “Oh, baby... don’t you know how worried I was? I couldn’t find you. I thought... I thought something bad had happened.”Daphne tilted her head, confused. “But I’m here now, Mama.”I
Chapter 37Lucas’s Pov“Here’s your phone,” I said, stretching it toward Lisa, who grabbed it quickly, almost too quickly. “Thank you,” she muttered, not even looking me in the eye before disappearing upstairs to get ready for her night out. I watched her leave, feeling a strange unease settle in my chest. Lately, something about Lisa felt off. She seemed distant, jumpy even. I couldn’t understand why. She said she was going to a friend’s place, and I believed her, but the way she clung to her phone and avoided me... it just didn’t sit right. I sighed, sinking into the couch, letting my mind drift. Maybe it was just the stress of everything, the company, the money, our strained relationship.The silence was broken by the buzz of my phone. I picked it up, noticing the familiar number from Men, our senior project manager.“Lucas, we’ve just bagged another contract,” Men’s voice came through, sounding excited but trying to keep his composure.A smile broke across my face. Finally, som
Chapter 38 Lucas’s PovI stared at the screen, Daphne’s face still plastered across the news report, that awful word missing glaring back at me. My stomach twisted in knots. I couldn’t believe it. How could this have happened?Ken leaned over my desk, glancing at the TV. “Lucas, relax,” he said, his voice steady. “The kid’s been found. It’s old news. They just haven’t updated the broadcast yet.”I blinked, trying to process what he’d just said. “She’s been found?” My voice came out shakier than I intended.“Yeah, man. I read it in the police report this morning,” Ken replied, giving me a reassuring look. “She’s fine. There’s no need to worry. They’ll pull the story down soon enough.”I let out a long breath, feeling a weight lift off my chest, but only slightly. I needed to know for sure. Without thinking, I quickly shot a message to Sienna.“Is Daphne okay?”Her response came almost immediately, short and sharp.“She’s fine. Don’t bother caring. She’s not your child.”The words stun
Chapter 39 Lucas's Pov I stared at my phone, waiting for any sign from Lisa. It had been hours since I tried calling her, and still, nothing. No calls, no texts, not even a missed notification. I tried to push away the growing worry gnawing at me, but it was getting harder. *Maybe she’s upset,* I thought. After Ken had stupidly told her I didn’t want to see anyone, it wasn’t unreasonable to think she was pissed off. Hell, I would be too if I were in her shoes. I sent a few more texts, each one sounding a little more desperate than the last. “Lisa, where are you? Call me.” “Look, I didn’t mean to ignore you. Can we talk?” “Please, just text me back.” Still nothing. I wanted to leave the office, to drive home and check on her, but I couldn’t. The day was a mess of meetings, project briefings, and constant back-and-forth emails. I was swamped with work, and as much as I wanted to drop everything and go, I knew I couldn’t. Not today. The company was hanging by a thread, a
Chapter 40Sienna's Pov“Daphne, can you pack up those toys? The floor’s a mess,” I called out, watching her from across the room. Daphne glanced up at me, then down at the scattered toys around her. “Okay, Mama!” she chirped, hopping off the couch to start gathering her things.As I watched her, I couldn’t help but feel a strange satisfaction bubbling up inside me. Everything was falling into place, at least for now. I’d started assigning companies to work with Lucas’s business, building him up, letting him taste success again. But it was only temporary. He didn’t know what was coming. Soon enough, I’d take it all away, just like he took everything from me.*Let him enjoy it while it lasts,* I thought. He had no idea what was waiting for him on the other side.The thought made me smile, but it was a cold, calculated smile. I wanted Lucas to feel the way I did, miserable, trapped, and helpless. He thought he could escape me, but I was always a step ahead. He’d regret making me love
Chapter 41Lucas’s Pov“Where the hell have you been, Lisa?” I asked the moment she answered my call, my frustration spilling out as soon as I heard her voice.There was a pause on the other end, long enough for me to start regretting my tone, but then she finally responded, her voice quieter than usual. “I told you, Lucas. I was at Jessica’s. Why are you freaking out?”I let out a breath, trying to reel in my temper. “I’ve been calling and texting you all day, Lisa. You could’ve at least let me know you were okay.”Another pause, and this time, when she spoke, there was a hint of annoyance. “I didn’t think I had to check in every five minutes. I’m fine, Lucas.”I could feel my grip tightening on the phone. “It’s not about checking in every five minutes. You didn’t come home last night, and then Ken tells me you stopped by the office and didn’t even bother saying anything to me. What’s going on with you?”“I didn’t want to interrupt your work,” she said flatly. “And honestly, Lucas, I
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 106 Lucas’s Pov “You weren’t even patient enough to wait? Is that how you always are, Lucas?” The voice, sharp and tinged with sarcasm, stopped me in my tracks. I turned slowly, my frustration bubbling under the surface, only to see Sienna walking toward me. She was as composed as ever, her bag slung over her shoulder and her expression unreadable. “I was beginning to think you weren’t coming,” I replied, my tone clipped. “I’m here, aren’t I?” she shot back, pulling out the chair across from mine and sitting down gracefully. I sat down as well, running a hand through my hair as I tried to collect myself. “Why were you late?” Her lips twitched, as though she was suppressing a smirk. “Because, Lucas, unlike you, I’m not in the habit of making my life revolve around other people’s demands. I’ll show up when I’m ready.” I exhaled slowly, deciding not to take the bait. “Let’s get to the point,” I said, leaning forward slightly. “I called you here because I need answe
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