Chapter 61Lucas’s POV“Hey, Lucas! Long time no see!” Tom exclaimed as he approached me in the café, his smile wide and infectious. We hadn’t caught up in ages, and the familiarity of his presence felt oddly comforting in the whirlwind that had become my life.“Tom! Good to see you,” I replied, shaking his hand firmly. We settled into a booth at the back, the soft hum of conversations around us fading into the background.As we exchanged pleasantries, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being trapped in my own life. My mind raced with thoughts about the company, Lisa, and everything in between. I needed a break, but the idea of leaving for even a week felt daunting.“So, how’s business?” Tom asked, taking a sip of his coffee.I hesitated. “It’s... challenging, to say the least. Our income has been dipping lately, and I’m trying to figure out a way to stabilize things.”He raised an eyebrow, concern etched on his face. “That doesn’t sound good. Any idea why?”I sighed, running a hand thro
Chapter 62 Sienna’s Pov “Mommy!” Daphne greeted me as soon as I walked into the living room. She was curled up on the couch, eyes glued to the TV as her favorite cartoon played on the screen. Her face lit up the second she saw me, and I felt a rush of warmth and relief as I crossed the room to sit beside her. “Hey, sweetheart,” I said, gently placing my head on her small shoulder. Daphne giggled, patting my head as if I were one of her dolls. “I missed you, Mommy,” she whispered, leaning into me as she kept her eyes on the cartoon. Her words tugged at my heart. “I missed you too,” I replied, letting the warmth of the moment settle over us. “I had to take care of some things.” Daphne nodded, not asking any further. She was so engrossed in the animated scenes on the screen, her eyes wide as she watched. I could see the joy on her face, and for a moment, everything felt simple. I wished we could stay like this forever, just her and me, safe and undisturbed by the world outside. “
Chapter 63Sienna’s PovI didn’t want to dwell on it any longer, on Lucas, on the call from that man who kept pushing me into corners, or on the mess I’d let entangle my life. My focus had shifted, and I was determined to keep it that way.I reminded myself that nothing about Lucas was my concern anymore. He’d made his choices, and I’d made mine. There was no point in getting tangled up in regrets or unresolved emotions.The next morning, I woke to the faint but unmistakable sound of upbeat music drifting through the house. I blinked, realizing with a start that I had overslept. The sun was already casting a bright glow through my curtains.I rubbed my eyes, slowly recognizing the melody. It was the theme song from one of Daphne’s favorite shows, a musical program she loved.Sliding out of bed, I wrapped my robe around me and padded down the hall to the living room, where I found her perched in front of the TV, utterly absorbed in the show. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched her,
Chapter 64Sienna’s PovI decided to brush off the idea of that celebrity man and focus on what truly mattered, today was for Daphne, and nothing was going to pull me away from enjoying every second with her. We had a whole day ahead, and I was determined to make it special.“Come on, Daphne,” I said, holding out my hand. “Let’s go have an adventure.”Daphne’s eyes lit up, and she squeezed my hand tightly as we headed out, both of us eager to make the most of the day. We wandered through the busy streets of the city, her laughter blending with the hum of activity around us.Our first stop was a nearby park that Daphne had always wanted to visit. We played on the swings, Daphne flying higher and higher as she giggled with joy. She even convinced me to slide down the playground’s giant slide, something I hadn’t done since I was a kid myself. Seeing her face light up, her carefree joy, made every silly moment worth it.Afterward, we found ourselves at a small arcade tucked away on one of
Chapter 65Ryan’s POVI was about to walk out when I saw it, a little girl running straight toward Sienna, her face lighting up the second she spotted me. I hadn’t realized she was a mother, and suddenly the casual interest I’d had in her started to fade. I wasn’t looking for anything serious, especially not with someone who had kids. I’d only approached Sienna on a whim, curious about the mysterious woman who had so casually refused me.But just as I was ready to make my exit, I heard the little girl squeal, “It’s really you! I can’t believe it!” Before I knew it, she had thrown herself into my arms, her tiny face beaming up at me as though I were the most fascinating thing in the world.“Whoa, hey there!” I managed, instinctively catching her as she wrapped her arms around me. I looked down, taken aback by the pure joy in her eyes. Kids usually made me feel awkward, but this little one was… different. Her innocence and excitement were contagious.“You’re Ryan!” she exclaimed, her vo
Chapter 66Sienna’s PovI gently pulled Daphne’s hand, guiding her away from Ryan. “Thank you for making her day,” I said, offering a quick nod to him as we started to walk away. But just before I turned, our eyes met, locked in a way that felt more intense than it should have. I wasn’t sure what it was, maybe just the unexpected surprise of seeing him, but it lingered for a few seconds too long, leaving me unsettled.Breaking the eye contact, I looked down at Daphne, who was still grinning ear-to-ear, clutching her new favorite photo. She had no idea how much I wanted to move on from this encounter, how determined I was to keep people like Ryan at arm’s length. I’d seen enough of his type, charming, used to attention, always the center of the spotlight. It wasn’t a world I wanted anywhere near Daphne or myself.“Mama, he’s so nice!” Daphne chirped, looking up at me with innocent eyes. She seemed to adore him already, and I felt a pang of guilt for feeling so guarded. She deserved a c
Chapter 67Lucas’s PovI left the office that afternoon with a familiar ache in my chest, the weight of disappointment sitting heavily on my shoulders. Things had been rough, rougher than I cared to admit, but I was determined to keep trying. I had managed to arrange a meeting with a potential client, someone I was hoping could provide a lifeline for the company. We needed something to turn this around, and I was desperate enough to chase down every lead.I arrived early, brushing off my suit and taking a deep breath to steady myself. I had prepared thoroughly, rehearsed my pitch a hundred times in my head, and convinced myself that this meeting could be the start of a new beginning. But as the meeting began, things went south quickly. The client barely seemed interested, his attention split between me and his phone, occasionally glancing up with a barely-disguised look of irritation.“Mr. King,” he interrupted at one point, setting his phone down with an air of finality, “I’m not rea
Chapter 68Sienna’s PovAs Daphne and her friend finally finished their endless chattering and giggling, their little hands reluctantly let go of each other. I shared a polite smile with the other girl’s mother, exchanging quick goodbyes as we each called our daughters back to us.“Alright, Daphne,” I said, holding my hand out. “It’s time to head home.”Daphne bounced over to me, her face still glowing with excitement from her eventful day. “Mommy, that was the best day ever!” she exclaimed, skipping beside me as we made our way toward the car. I couldn’t help but smile; seeing her happy made every bit of my exhaustion worth it.“Wait, Mommy! Look! They’re selling my favorite bread!” she suddenly squealed, pointing at a small bakery stall set up near the sidewalk.I followed her gaze and saw the familiar loaves lined up in neat rows, the warm smell wafting toward us. It was Daphne’s favorite, a soft, sweet bread with a buttery crust. And to my surprise, there was a little sign reading
Chapter 161 Lucas's PovI knew. I knew it was Lisa behind everything that had happened. The attack, the ambush, the entire ordeal, it all pointed to her. I didn’t need to be a detective to connect the dots. After all, Lisa had never been the type to let go of something she thought was hers. She wasn’t done with me, she never would be. But I was done with her. And this time, I wasn’t going to let her hurt Sienna or Daphne. I wouldn’t let anyone harm my family again.The doctors had discharged me from the hospital earlier that morning. I’d been lucky, too lucky, if you asked me. I still had a gash in my side, a bruise on my jaw, and the aches that came with a fight I hadn’t been prepared for. But I was alive. And more than that, I was determined to protect my family. I couldn’t let them be vulnerable, not when Lisa was out there somewhere, lurking in the shadows.So, I’d arranged for a high-security detail to watch over Sienna and Daphne. I knew Sienna was strong, but I couldn’t bea
Chapter 160 Lucas's PovI could feel it. Every time Sienna looked at me, the warmth in her gaze, the way her smile lingered just a little longer than it used to. It was subtle, but it was there. The walls she'd built around her heart were slowly crumbling, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief, and a little fear too. I hurt her more than once, and though I could sense she was falling for me again, I knew I had no right to ask for forgiveness. But I couldn’t help myself. I wanted this. I wanted us again.Today, I wanted to show her just how much I cared. It was a rare thing, this peace, and I wasn’t going to let it slip away. So, I took them both, Sienna and Daphne, out for the day. We spent the morning at a park, just the three of us. No drama, no complications. Daphne was full of energy, running around and laughing, and Sienna… Sienna was more relaxed than I had seen her in a long time. She was smiling, her eyes lighting up every time Daphne pulled her into some new adve
Chapter 159 Sienna’s PovThe atmosphere was with an air of curiosity as Lucas followed me to David's house. I hadn’t expected him to insist on coming along, but he seemed adamant about tying up any loose ends. I agreed, hoping the visit would go smoothly. David was gracious as always, hosted us with a warmth that made me question if he truly was okay with everything that had transpired between Lucas and me. He offered us tea and snacks while Daphne played with some toys he had kept aside for her during our previous visits. As we sat in his cozy living room, chatting about random topics, David raised his glass. “Here’s to new beginnings, Sienna. And to both of you, may you find happiness together.” His toast felt bittersweet, and I could see the faint sadness in his eyes, but he didn’t let it show too much. He spoke with such maturity that I couldn’t help but admire how gracefully he handled everything. Lucas, sensing the sincerity in David’s words, leaned over and shook his
Chapter 158Sienna's PovLiving with Lucas again was nothing like I had expected. Despite the rocky start and all the unresolved tension between us, I found myself slowly letting my guard down. Every time he did something thoughtful, whether it was making breakfast, helping Daphne with her schoolwork, or simply looking at me with those sincere eyes, I felt the walls around my heart crumbling. It was late that night, and Daphne had already gone to bed. I sat on the couch with a glass of wine, scrolling through my phone absentmindedly. Lucas came into the room, his hair slightly damp from a shower. He was wearing a plain T-shirt and sweats, looking relaxed and more like the man I fell in love with years ago. “Still awake?” he asked, sitting down next to me. “Couldn’t sleep,” I admitted. For a moment, we sat in comfortable silence. Then, out of nowhere, Lucas reached for my hand. “Sienna,” he said softly, “thank you for giving me another chance. I don’t deserve it, but I’m going
Chapter 157Sienna's PovI sat on the couch, staring at my phone as if it held all the answers to my chaotic life. Daphne was in her room, probably playing with her toys, completely unaware of how exhausted I felt. Lucas had texted earlier, saying he was taking Daphne for ice cream. A part of me was relieved—Daphne needed time with her father, and I needed time to think. But no amount of solitude seemed to ease the heavy burden pressing on my chest. My life felt like it was spinning out of control. Between Lucas’s attempts to re-enter my life, Ryan’s unexplained departure, and David’s quiet yet persistent care, I felt torn in too many directions. Just as I began to organize my thoughts, the doorbell rang. ---I opened the door cautiously and wasn’t surprised to see David standing there with a warm smile on his face. “Hey,” he said, holding up a small bag. “I brought some snacks. Thought we could talk.” I stepped aside and let him in, trying to muster a smile. “Thanks, David. B
Chapter 156 Lisa’s PovI couldn’t believe it. I stood outside the grocery store after that humiliating encounter with Lucas and Sienna, trembling with rage. A child. They had a child together. How had I never known? All this time, I’d thought Sienna was just some shadow of Lucas’s past, someone he pitied or felt guilty about. But no, she had a child, a child who was Lucas’s. The thought burned in my chest. He had lied to me, omitted the truth, and now he was playing house with her. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. Lucas belonged to me. I had stayed with him through everything. I had invested my time, my energy, and even my reputation into him. And now, he was discarding me like I was nothing. I wasn’t going to let Sienna win. The next day, I made my move. I knew that little girl, Daphne, would be going to school. Lucas wasn’t the most punctual, and he had a habit of being distracted by work or other things. It was the perfect opportunity to approach her, t
Chapter 155 Lucas’s Pov The way Sienna moved around the house, so calm and composed, made me question everything. She wasn’t the fiery woman who used to shout and hurl sharp words at me. She wasn’t the cold, unrelenting ex-wife I had imagined all these years. Instead, this version of Sienna was sweet, calm, and, if I dared to admit, somehow even more beautiful than before. I couldn’t stop staring at her. It wasn’t just her physical beauty, though that certainly hadn’t faded. It was her grace, the way she cared for Daphne, the way her laughter sounded when she thought no one was listening. Everything about her seemed effortless, as though she had finally become the woman she was always meant to be, without me. When I woke up the next morning, the smell of something warm and delicious wafted into the bedroom. I sat up, groggy, only to hear the faint clatter of dishes. Was she… cooking? I quickly got dressed and headed to the kitchen, and there she was, flipping pancakes as
Chapter 154 Sienna’s Pov“Maybe I should give him a chance,” I whispered to myself while brushing Daphne’s hair in front of the mirror. It wasn’t like I wanted Lucas back in the romantic sense, at least not entirely. But I couldn’t deny how hard he was trying. For Daphne, for me… for us. The thought unsettled me because it forced me to confront my emotions, which I preferred to keep locked away. But as I prepared to make things easier for Lucas, the thought of David and Uncle Max made my stomach churn. Both of them had been acting like hypocrites, constantly preaching about what was best for me while putting me in complicated positions. It was frustrating and exhausting. I couldn’t stand it anymore. “Daphne, sweetie, do you want to help Mommy make breakfast?” I asked, trying to shake off the lingering negativity. “No, I want Daddy to make it!” she exclaimed cheerfully. I smiled at her enthusiasm and nodded. “Alright, go tell him then.” After seeing Lucas interact with Daphn
Chapter 153Lucas's PovI sat across from Jenny at a quiet café, my coffee untouched as I poured out my frustrations. “I just don’t understand what’s going on,” I said, gripping the edge of the table. “My uncle is getting way too involved with Sienna, and it’s driving me crazy. And Sienna, she’s avoiding me no matter how hard I try to get through to her.” Jenny leaned back in her chair, her eyes thoughtful as she sipped her tea. “Lucas, have you considered that maybe you’re trying too hard? She might need some space to figure things out.” “I can’t just stand by while my uncle pushes his way into her life,” I countered. “It’s not right. He’s supposed to be family, but it feels like he’s competing with me.” Jenny set her cup down and gave me a soft smile. “Here’s what I think. Stop forcing it. Let her come to you on her own terms. Show her that you’ve changed, but don’t pressure her. She’ll notice the difference and reach out when she’s ready.” I frowned, unsure. “And what if