Chapter 73Lucas’s POVThe wedding was approaching faster than I’d anticipated, the days slipping by in a blur of details and obligations. Every time I turned around, Lisa had something new to show me, a seating chart, flower arrangements, the latest set of menus she’d had printed.But no matter how much she insisted this would be the event of the year, my mind kept drifting back to the mess my company was facing. It felt like everything was spiraling out of control, and all I could do was hang on and hope the chaos would settle.The headlines were relentless. Rumors swirled about my company’s instability, about mismanagement and pending lawsuits. News outlets speculated about internal conflicts, and investors were panicking. Everything I’d built, every ounce of credibility, was slipping through my fingers. And in the middle of it all was one name I couldn’t shake, Sienna.I didn’t want to believe she had anything to do with it, but the timing was impossible to ignore. Ever since she’
Chapter 74Lucas’s POVSienna was lying, I could see it in the way her jaw tightened, the way her eyes flickered when I questioned her. She was hiding something, and I wasn’t about to let it go. My frustration surged, twisting into anger as I reached forward, my hand closing in on her phone. Maybe if I saw it for myself, I’d finally have the proof I needed.“Sienna,” I growled, my fingers inching toward her hand. “If you’re not behind this, then you shouldn’t have anything to hide.”“Lucas, don’t,” she warned, pulling back, her voice sharp and unyielding. “You have no right to…..”Before she could finish, my hand shot forward, grabbing the phone. But before I could even begin to pull it away, a shadow blurred in my peripheral vision. Suddenly, a fist collided with my face, hard and fast, sending a jolt of pain through my skull. The impact was like a hammer, knocking the breath out of me as my legs gave way.I staggered, the room spinning as I tried to steady myself, but my balance sli
Chapter 75Ryan’s POVI never thought I’d feel this way about Sienna. I’d tried to convince myself, even told myself a hundred times, that I was just being polite, just helping her settle in. But that lie wore thin pretty quickly. The truth was, ever since I’d found out she had a child, something in me had shifted. I thought the news would make me pull back, make me rethink things. But instead, I found myself thinking about her more, losing focus at work as her face kept flashing through my mind.It was the quiet moments that got to me, the way she smiled when she thought no one was watching, the way she’d look at her daughter, Daphne, with a tenderness that made me question everything I thought I knew about love. She was a mother, someone with responsibilities far beyond what I could even imagine, yet she carried it all with a quiet resilience that drew me in.I glanced down at the report on my desk, barely seeing the words. The numbers blurred, and my mind drifted once again to her.
Chapter 76Ryan’s POVI knew it was reckless, ignoring my manager’s warning. “Stay focused, Ryan. We’ve got too much on the line,” he’d told me. But I couldn’t focus, not when all I could think about was Sienna. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her face, heard her laughter. It had been days since our last conversation, and each day had stretched painfully long, my concentration fraying more with every minute. I had to see her, and had to hear her voice again.Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. I grabbed my keys and left, ignoring my manager’s calls as I headed out. The city streets passed in a blur as I searched for her, checking the usual spots where I knew she might be.After a while, I found myself near the park where we’d met once before. My heart leapt when I saw her in the distance, but something was wrong. She was with a man, and from the look of it, it wasn’t a friendly encounter. The man had his hand on her arm, gripping it tightly as he leaned in, his face inches from he
Chapter 77Ryan’s POVThe night was still, the streetlights casting a soft glow over us as I watched Sienna’s face, searching for any sign that she was okay. She stood beside me, her shoulders tense, her gaze fixed on some invisible point in the distance. Her usual resilience seemed to have crumbled, leaving her vulnerable in a way I’d never seen before.“Sienna,” I said gently, stepping closer. “Are you okay?”She didn’t answer right away, and I could see the hesitation in her eyes, as if she was debating whether or not to let me in. Finally, she took a shaky breath and nodded, though the movement was barely convincing. I reached out, resting a comforting hand on her shoulder, hoping to offer some reassurance.“What… what was that about?” I asked, my voice soft. “That guy, why was he bothering you?”She looked away, her expression strained, as if the weight of everything she’d been holding back was finally pressing down on her. Then, without warning, her eyes filled with tears, her c
Chapter 78Sienna’s POVThe decision to stay in Paris wasn’t one I’d planned, but after everything with Lucas, the pressure from Lisa, and the constant uncertainty, I knew I needed to make a change. Somewhere away from the memories that had been haunting me.So, when I found a small apartment nestled in a quiet neighborhood on the outskirts of the city, I took it as a sign. Daphne and I could start fresh here, away from the noise, away from everything that had been weighing us down.After a few days of searching and paperwork, we packed our things and left the hotel. Daphne was practically bouncing with excitement, her small suitcase trailing behind her as we made our way to our new home. She’d been talking non-stop about the “big move,” her eyes wide with wonder as I unlocked the door and we stepped inside.The apartment was cozy, with tall windows that let in the morning light, casting a warm glow over the wooden floors. It was a modest space, a living room, a tiny kitchen, and two
Chapter 79Sienna’s PovThe morning light streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the apartment as Daphne and I went about our new morning routine. She was humming happily in her room, still buzzing with excitement from the previous night’s dinner with our neighbors.It was one of those rare mornings where everything felt calm, and I let myself savor the moment, the simplicity of being in our own little world.Then, a knock at the door jolted me out of my thoughts. I wasn’t expecting anyone, and my mind briefly ran through the possibilities. Camille, maybe, or someone delivering something for the apartment. But as I opened the door, I felt my breath catch.Standing before me was a man I’d only ever seen from a distance, someone who I admired far more than I’d ever admit out loud. Tall, with a relaxed stance, his presence radiated calm and confidence. He wore a simple yet elegant outfit, a dark jacket over a crisp white shirt, his posture graceful, as if he belonged on a
Chapter 80Sienna's PovThe morning sunlight streamed through the kitchen window, casting a soft glow over the cozy apartment. I was halfway through making breakfast for Daphne and me when another knock sounded at the door. Thinking it might be Camille or Adrian, I brushed my hands on a dish towel and went to open it.Standing there was a man I hadn’t seen before, though he seemed vaguely familiar. He was a bit older, perhaps in his early fifties, with streaks of silver in his dark hair and a warm, friendly expression that put me at ease.He wore a well-tailored jacket, casual yet elegant, and his posture was relaxed, though he held himself with a quiet dignity. Despite his age, he had a youthful glint in his eye, a spark that made him look very much in his prime.“Bonjour, mademoiselle,” he greeted, his accent rolling smoothly off his tongue. “I hope I’m not intruding. I wanted to introduce myself properly.”“Not at all,” I replied, smiling as I held the door open. “Please, come in.”
Chapter 165 Lucas’s PovThe evening had been chaotic. Everything seemed to spiral out of control from the moment I saw Sienna’s face, pale and tipsy, as David helped her out of the room. I couldn’t believe that someone had tried something like that. The audacity! I was beyond furious, but there was a part of me that was just relieved to have Sienna back in my arms. As we left the place, I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of dread rising in my chest. I had to protect her from people like that and I needed to find out who the person was, from people like Lisa, people who wanted to use her, hurt her, manipulate her. When we finally got home, I helped Sienna into the house. She was still a bit unsteady on her feet, and I couldn’t bear the thought of her being so vulnerable. I had to make sure she was okay, make sure she rested. But as I led her to the bedroom, she clung to me like I was her lifeline. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be close to her, God, I did, but I couldn’t h
Chapter 164 Max’s PovI wasn’t expecting it. Not at all. The way Lucas and Sienna got along so easily, the way they were so comfortable with each other, it threw me off. They were acting as if they had never been torn apart, as if all the mistakes, all the pain from their past, had just… disappeared. I had always known them as two people who couldn’t quite get it right. Two people who hurt each other, who played games, who couldn’t see past their own flaws. And yet, here they were, acting like they were perfect for each other. It pissed me off, but it also made me think. They were blind. Both of them. They had no idea how deeply flawed they were, how much they had hurt each other, and yet they were acting as if everything was fine. It wasn’t fine. I knew it wasn’t. People didn’t just forget their scars, their mistakes. People didn’t just get over the past without confronting it. They were deluding themselves, and I wasn’t going to let them get away with it.I knew Lucas wasn’t so
Chapter 163 Lucas’s Pov The morning started quietly. The kind of peaceful morning that I hadn’t had in a long time. Sienna was in her element, moving around the kitchen with a grace that never ceased to amaze me. She made sure Daphne had her breakfast first, of course, ensuring our daughter started her day with a smile. I watched her in the kitchen, and for a moment, I just stood there, taking it all in. “Lucas, I made your lunch box,” Sienna said, turning to me with a smile. “I packed some sandwiches and fruit for you. You’ll need it for the office.”“Thanks, Sienna,” I said, a small smile playing on my lips. She always took care of the little things, making sure everything ran smoothly. She had this way of making life feel easy, even when things were complicated.I grabbed the lunch box from the counter and placed a kiss on her cheek before heading to the door. “I’ll be back later. I’ll take care of things at the office.”Sienna nodded, her eyes warm. “We’re going to visit my c
Chapter 162 Sienna's PovThe knock at the door startled me. It was abrupt, loud, and it sounded so urgent. Lucas was already standing up before I could even move. He placed a gentle hand on my back, guiding me to stand beside him. I could feel the tension in his muscles, the way his body stiffened as he prepared for whatever was about to unfold. I looked up at him, wondering who could be knocking at this hour.Before I could even ask, the door swung open, and in walked none other than Uncle Max. His presence filled the room instantly, tall, broad-shouldered, and with that all-too-familiar smirk on his face. I hadn’t seen him in a while, but something about the way he barged in made my stomach tighten. I had no idea what to expect from him. “Uncle Max!” I said, trying to sound calm, though a part of me was still unsettled by his sudden arrival.Lucas didn’t waste any time. He stepped in front of me, putting himself between me and Max, his stance was protective. I appreciated it
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