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 52 Sienna's POV“He didn’t deserve to die like that, not so easily,” I muttered under my breath, my mind replaying the scene of Lucas lying on the floor, blood soaking through his shirt. I could still hear Daphne’s cries, the terror in her small voice as she clung to me. It had all happened so fast, too fast. One moment we were arguing, and the next… chaos.I remembered every second of that night. The image of Lucas crumpled on the floor, his face pale, barely breathing, was seared into my mind. I’d watched the blood pool around him, thick and dark, a grim reminder of how close he was to death. For a moment, I’d felt a pang of something, a faint, fleeting sense of guilt, maybe. But I pushed it away.I’d called the ambulance, my hands shaking as I held the phone to my ear. I couldn’t let him die. Lucas wasn’t mine to lose, not like that. If anyone was going to end him, it would be me, and only when he had truly felt the full weight of everything he’d taken from me.As the
Chapter 53 Lucas’s Pov"You know, Mr. King, it’s not every day that someone survives a knife to the back," the doctor said, leaning in a bit too close, his tone both professional and unsettlingly curious.I raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by his directness. "Is that right?""Yes," he continued, his gaze sharp. "And what’s even more unusual is that the person who brought you in requested their identity remain a mystery. Insisted on it, actually."A chill ran down my spine, but I kept my expression calm, giving the doctor a slight nod. "Interesting,” I replied, carefully masking my reaction. “Did they say why?”The doctor’s eyes narrowed slightly. "No. And in my line of work, I know better than to ask. Just thought you'd want to know. Be careful out there." He gave me a final nod before walking out of the room.I stared after him, the faint hum of hospital machinery filling the silence. Someone wanted me alive but also wanted to remain hidden. It didn’t take a genius to piece toge
Chapter 54Lucas's POV“Nightwalker. That’s the term you’re looking for, isn’t it?” Ken asked, leaning back in his chair with a knowing smirk. I glanced up from the paperwork on my desk, caught off guard. "Nightwalker?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.Ken nodded, chuckling as he crossed his arms. "Someone who sneaks around after dark, working tirelessly to keep their life intact, even when everything’s falling apart around them. Fits you perfectly these days."I let out a dry laugh, pushing a few more documents his way. "You might be right, Ken. Maybe I am a ‘nightwalker,’ always chasing shadows just to keep this company alive.”And it was true. Ever since the $100 million payment from our recent project had finally hit our account, I’d been running on fumes, working around the clock to salvage what was left of the company. Sienna’s interference had set us back, nearly destroying us. But now, finally, there was a glimmer of hope, a foothold in the mountain of debt and loss.With the mo
Chapter 55 Sienna's Pov"Wait, *that’s* your daughter?" Renee’s voice held a note of shock, her gaze shifting between me and Daphne, who was now humming to herself and drawing shapes on the fogged-up glass of the hotel room window. I nodded, smiling slightly but feeling a pang of discomfort as I did. Daphne was growing so fast, more aware with each day, asking more questions about Lucas than I’d prepared for.“And to think, last time I saw you, you were head over heels for Lucas, talking about your engagement!” Renee shook her head, laughing. “I didn’t think I’d be meeting your daughter instead of a husband.”Daphne, of course, turned at the mention of Lucas’s name, her expression lighting up as if she’d been waiting for the right moment to bring him up. “Mama, is Lucas coming?”I tensed, trying to hide the frustration that boiled up every time she asked. “Daphne, Lucas isn’t coming, sweetie. Why don’t you go back inside, alright?”“But Mama….” she started to protest, her little voi
Chapter 56 Sienna’s Pov"Stay out of this, Lisa," I snapped, narrowing my eyes as I held Daphne’s hand tightly. I could feel the tension building, like a wire pulled too tight, ready to snap. But Lisa didn’t back down."You don’t get to just walk away with her!" Lisa’s voice rose, drawing the attention of nearly everyone in the hotel lobby. She looked furious, her fists clenched at her sides as she glared at me, clearly unbothered by the growing scene.Daphne clung to my side, her small hand gripping mine tightly as she looked up at me, confused and afraid. My heart pounded in my chest, anger simmering just below the surface, but I kept my voice steady. "Lisa, step back. This isn’t your concern."Lisa scoffed, taking a step closer, her gaze challenging. "Of course, it’s my concern. Lucas and I are together, and I won’t stand by while you manipulate him using your child."“*M child?” I said, a bitter laugh escaping me as I looked her square in the eye. “Stay out of it, Lisa. You’re on
Chapter 57Lucas’s Pov“Why didn’t you do something, Lucas?” Lisa’s voice was sharp, filled with anger as she paced across the room, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She’d been fuming ever since we’d left the hotel, but I had barely responded, letting her vent while I gathered my thoughts.Finally, she stopped and turned to me, her eyes narrowed. “Are you even listening to me?” she demanded, her voice rising. Before I could reply, she took a step closer, frustration flashing across her face. “They were tearing into each other right in front of that child, Lucas. And you just stood there.”I took a breath, keeping my gaze steady as I replied, “I wasn’t going to make it worse, Lisa. They both needed to get it out, and Daphne didn’t need to see any more than she already had.”Lisa scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. “So you let her mother slap another woman in front of her? You think that’s healthy?”“It was either let them hash it out or make it an even bigger scene by ste
Chapter 58 Lucas’s Pov The way Sienna had stood her ground, unwavering and unflinching, even as Lisa tried to block her from leaving. Fierce, bold, and completely unafraid. Part of me almost admired her nerve. There was something remarkable about the way she didn’t back down, her eyes blazing with that familiar defiance. It reminded me of why I’d once fallen for her, of the fire that had drawn me in so long ago. But I knew better than to let those old feelings resurface. That chapter had closed. I couldn’t afford to open it again, not when my life was already complicated enough. Sienna was relentless, ruthless in her desire to knock me down, and yesterday had been yet another example of how far she was willing to go. Letting any residual feelings get in the way would only make her think she’d won, and I couldn’t allow that. When I got to the office the next morning, my secretary, Sarah, was waiting with a stack of reports. Her expression was tense, her eyes filled with concern
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