Chapter 44 Sienna's Pov“Lucas isn’t my daddy,” Daphne’s voice echoed in my mind, the words stabbing at me as I sat at the edge of my bed, staring blankly at the wall. She had cried herself to sleep after the dinner, her little heart broken by the truth I had to force on her. A truth that, even for me, was hard to accept.The evening had been a disaster, and as much as I wanted to pretend that everything was going according to my plan, Daphne’s words haunted me. The way she had looked up at Lucas, her innocent hope shining in those wide, brown eyes, only for me to shatter it by telling her he was married. I hadn’t meant to be so cold, but I had to. I couldn’t let Daphne live in a fantasy. Lucas wasn’t her father, and he never would be.Still, I couldn’t help but wonder what could have been. If things had gone differently. If Lucas hadn’t walked out of my life the way he did. Would we be a family? Would Daphne be calling him daddy, and would I be waking up next to him instead of sit
Chapter 45 Lucas’s Pov“I’ll have to tell Lisa sooner or later,” I muttered to myself, pacing the length of my office. The thought had been disturbing me for days now, Sienna was back, and sooner or later, Lisa would find out. But how could I explain it? How could I tell her that the woman I’d once loved, the woman who had turned my life upside down, was now dragging me back into her web of deceit?I sat down at my desk, trying to focus on the project in front of me. This was my priority right now, saving the company, ensuring that we hit our deadlines, and avoiding another crisis. I needed to deal with this first, before anything else. But no matter how hard I tried to focus, my thoughts kept drifting back to Sienna, to the way she’d casually re-entered my life and to Daphne’s innocent plea from the night before.*“Be my daddy.”*Her words haunted me, replaying in my head over and over again. She had looked up at me with so much hope, so much trust, and I hadn’t known what to say. I
Chapter 46 Sienna's Pov“Lucas always thinks he can get the last word,” I muttered to myself, pacing the room after leaving the cafe. My mind was still buzzing from our conversation. The nerve of him, coming here and demanding answers like he had some right to know everything about my life, about Daphne’s life. The fact that he even asked if Daphne was his? That was laughable. Lucas never really understood me, and now, he was playing catch-up in a game I had been controlling all along.I paused in front of the mirror, catching a glimpse of myself, my reflection was calm, composed, but beneath the surface, I felt the familiar current of anger swirling. Lucas had gotten under my skin more than I’d like to admit. Why did he care so much? I had told him the truth, Daphne wasn’t his, but still, he kept hovering around her, around me. He couldn’t let it go. I needed to regain control, to remind myself why I was doing all of this. Everything had been calculated. Every move I made was meant
Chapter 47 Lucas's Pov“We’re almost there,” I muttered to myself, staring at the glowing numbers on my screen. The deal we had been working on for months, the one that was supposed to save the company, was finally coming to a close. The final payment was supposed to come in today, a large sum that would pull us out of the hole we’d been stuck in for far too long.But something felt off. I had been glued to my phone all morning, waiting for confirmation that the payment had been processed, but nothing had come through yet. I checked the time again. It was already past noon, and I should have heard something by now.Just as I was about to make a call to check on the status, Ken barged into my office, his face pale, worry etched into every line. My stomach dropped. “Lucas, we’ve got a problem,” Ken said, his voice tense.I stood up, my heart racing. “What kind of problem?”Ken hesitated, looking down at the file in his hands. “The payment. It’s... stuck.”I blinked, not understandin
Chapter 48 Lucas's Pov“I’m done with this,” I muttered to myself, gripping the steering wheel as I drove toward Sienna’s place, my mind racing. I couldn’t take it anymore, the constant sabotage, the twisted games, the manipulation. If Sienna wanted me out of her life, she should have just said it years ago, instead of this endless back-and-forth of tearing down everything I tried to build. If she was intent on ruining me, fine. I’d let her know exactly how I felt about it.When I finally arrived, I barely registered my own footsteps as I stormed through the hallways until I reached her door. I didn’t even knock. My mind was a blur, my heart pounding with the frustration I’d buried for far too long. I pushed the door open, and there she was, sitting with Daphne, the two of them playing with some toys on the floor.“Sienna!” I barked, causing both of them to look up in surprise.Daphne’s eyes widened, and she instinctively moved closer to her mother. But my focus was on Sienna, and I
Chapter 49 Sienna’s Pov This wasn’t the Lucas I’d loved, the one I’d given my heart to without question. I could feel the sting of betrayal under my skin, his accusations cutting me deeper than he realized. But as much as it hurt, I knew I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me break. He was the one who’d kept me in the shadows, who had chosen a path that forced me to survive without him. I had loved him unconditionally, and this was the thanks I got. Lucas left as abruptly as he’d come, leaving me standing there, my heart pounding. I took a deep breath, then forced myself to focus on Daphne, who was waiting for me in the next room. My anger softened as I walked over and gently picked her up, cradling her as she gazed up at me with wide, curious eyes. “Mommy,” Daphne whispered, curling into me, “I don’t want to sleep until I know Lucas is fine.” My chest tightened at her words. She was too young to understand the depth of what was happening between Lucas and me, bu
Chapter 50Lucas’s Pov“Where… where am I?” I mumbled, trying to sit up, the room slowly coming into focus. Every inch of my body ached, a dull throbbing in my side pulling me back to reality. Beside me, Lisa’s face came into view, and she smiled, though something guarded behind her eyes.“You’re in the hospital,” she replied softly, reaching for my hand. “I found you lying at home, covered in blood. You scared me half to death.”The memory rushed back, jagged fragments of pain and darkness. “Someone stabbed me,” I whispered, still trying to piece together what had happened....Lisa’s expression turned, then hardened. “Why does it even matter who did it?” she snapped, a touch of resentment in her voice. “You should be more careful about where you go… and with whom.”I took a steadying breath. “Lisa, just… please call the doctor. I need to leave here. There’s something I have to do.”“What, so you can run back to Sienna?” she demanded, her tone rising. “I can’t believe you went craw
Chapter 51 Lucas’s PovThe hospital room was quiet, save for the occasional beep of the monitor next to my bed. I was sore, exhausted, and filled with an overwhelming urge to get out of here. The last thing I wanted was to lie around, useless, when I knew the company was in such a fragile state. I needed to be back at work. And, as much as I hated to admit it, I wanted to put some distance between me and the last few days, the stabbing, the mess with Sienna, and the horrifying way things had unraveled in front of Daphne.Just as I was contemplating how soon I could leave without causing suspicion, the door creaked open, and Dr. Hayes walked in, clipboard in hand. He glanced up, and the knowing look in his eyes told me he wasn’t going to be easy to convince.“Mr. King,” he said, his tone as steady as ever. “We need to go over your recovery plan. You suffered a serious wound, and the last thing we want is for you to rush out of here and end up back in the same spot.”I nodded, tryin
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