Chapter 84.Lucas's Pov I watched Sienna storm out of the hospital room, her shoulders tense, her face a mixture of anger and something deeper, something I couldn’t quite place. Guilt, maybe? Or frustration? Whatever it was, she didn’t stop, didn’t look back. It was as if the weight of the entire situation had finally cracked whatever strength she’d been holding onto. I wanted to go after her, to say something that might ease things, but I knew better. Sienna had built walls over the years, walls I’d only made stronger by the choices I’d made.I lingered outside Daphne’s room, glancing in to make sure she was still resting peacefully. The sight of her lying there, so small and innocent, sent a pang through me. None of this was her fault, yet here she was, caught in the middle of the mess Lisa and I had created.I was still standing there, lost in thought, when Lisa appeared at the end of the hallway. Her expression was unreadable, but as she got closer, I saw the flicker of resentm
Chapter 85Lucas’s PovThe slap still stung, both physically and emotionally. I hadn’t meant for it to happen, hadn’t meant for things to escalate the way they had. I glanced over at Lisa, her face set in a hard line, arms crossed as she looked away from me, clearly unwilling to accept any apology.“Lisa,” I said softly, breaking the silence between us. “I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you like that. Things… they just got out of hand.”She scoffed, not even sparing me a glance. “An apology? Now, after all this? That’s what you think will fix this, Lucas?”I swallowed hard, trying to keep my frustration in check. “Look, I understand you’re upset, but you need to understand that this situation with Sienna and Daphne…”“Oh, I understand perfectly, Lucas,” she snapped, turning to face me with anger flashing in her eyes. “You’re still hung up on her, aren’t you? We’re supposed to be getting married soon, and yet here you are, caught up in her life as if you never let her go.”“It’s not a
Chapter 86Sienna’s Pov“Daphne, sweetheart, how are you feeling?” I whispered, brushing a lock of hair from her face as her eyes fluttered open.Daphne blinked a few times, looking around the room in confusion before her gaze settled on me. A small smile formed on her face, and I felt my heart lighten. She was awake, she was okay, and that was all that mattered.“Mommy, I’m hungry,” she said in a soft voice, her hand reaching up to touch my cheek. I let out a small laugh, feeling the tension of the past hours begin to melt away. “Of course, love. I’ll get you something to eat.” I quickly gathered an assortment of fruits, crackers, and juice from the little table by her bed, offering her a strawberry first.She took it happily, nibbling on it with a content expression. I watched her, feeding her small bites, and feeling incredibly grateful for each smile, each laugh, every little sign that she was alright.After a while, the doctor came in, checking Daphne over one last time. “Every
Chapter 87 Lucas's Pov The idea of traveling had been brewing in the back of my mind for a while now. There was someone I needed to see, someone from my past who might hold the key to untangling the mess that had become my life. It wasn’t Sienna, I was trying my best to stay out of her world, just like she had asked, especially after everything that happened with Daphne. No, this was someone else entirely, someone I hadn’t spoken to in years. The thought of reaching out to them again felt like both a risk and a relief.I knew that I needed to satisfy Lisa’s worries if we were ever going to make it to the altar without completely falling apart.The rumors and the way Sienna’s name kept popping up were fueling Lisa’s doubts, and if I was being honest, it was starting to wear on me too. There was a lot we needed to address, but maybe this trip could help bring clarity.I sat down with Ken later that night, after a long day at the office, hoping for some honest advice. He was the one
Chapter 88Lucas’s Pov“Ken, you don’t have to know that,” I said, a hint of frustration creeping into my voice. “The past is the past, and I’m not interested in digging it up again. It’s not… relevant.”Ken leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he studied me with that unyielding gaze of his. “Not relevant? Lucas, you need to make peace with it, whether you want to or not. Sienna isn’t your responsibility anymore, and as for Daphne, she’s not your child. That’s why she’s keeping her distance.”I opened my mouth to argue, but Ken cut me off, his voice calm yet firm. “Think about it, Lucas. If Daphne were your child, there’s no way Sienna would deprive you of that relationship. She would have made sure you were a part of her life. But you’re not, Sienna has her reasons for keeping you at arm’s length.”I clenched my jaw, trying to suppress the frustration building inside me. “But she’s never kept me from Daphne,” I countered. “Anytime Daphne has asked to see me, Sienna lets her
Chapter 89 Sienna’s Pov“Good morning, my love,” I whispered, gently brushing Daphne’s hair out of her face as she stirred awake. Her small face broke into a sleepy smile, and she stretched, wrapping her little arms around my neck. Moments like this, the quiet, simple love between mother and daughter, made everything worth it.“Mommy, are we staying home today?” she asked, rubbing her eyes.I kissed her forehead, nodding. “Yes, sweetie. Today’s all about you.”The day flowed peacefully. After the stress of the hospital, I wanted her to feel safe and at ease, so I made her favorite breakfast and spent time playing with her. We built towers out of blocks, painted a little, and watched her favorite cartoons together. Her laughter filled the house, washing away the anxiety that had been lingering in the back of my mind.Later in the afternoon, while Daphne was taking a nap, I checked my emails. One message immediately caught my eye. It was a new partnership opportunity for my company,
Chapter 90 Sienna’s POV"Thank you so much for handling that," I said to the restaurant staff as I gathered my things. They gave me sympathetic nods, a few of them murmuring words of support as I left. I was relieved to be done with that strange man and his audacious proposition. Daphne wasn’t anyone’s bargaining chip, and I’d made that clear.The walk home was refreshing, and I took a few deep breaths to steady myself. But as I turned the corner to our building, my heart skipped a beat. There he was, the same man I’d noticed in the neighborhood a few times now, the one who always seemed to be lingering just long enough to catch my attention.He caught my eye and smiled, taking a step toward me. “Ms. Bennett, right?”I nodded slowly, instinctively pulling my bag closer to me. “Yes, that’s right.”“Hope I didn’t startle you,” he said smoothly. His voice was warm, with a hint of an accent I couldn’t quite place. “I was actually hoping to catch you. I wanted to see if you’d be open to
Chapter 91Lucas’s PovI sat in my dimly lit apartment, my mind racing with thoughts of Lisa, the wedding, and the mess that seemed to be growing around me. I was trying to hold everything together, but it was like sand slipping through my fingers. Lisa’s impatience was wearing thin, and I could tell she was beginning to doubt the life we’d planned. She was starting to feel like I wasn’t fully committed, and maybe she was right. As if my thoughts summoned the universe’s response, my phone buzzed with an incoming call. I glanced at the screen, it was my uncle. I hesitated before answering, already feeling the tension growing in my chest.“Lucas!” he boomed as soon as I picked up. “I got Lisa’s message about the wedding. She says you two are getting married soon. Why haven’t you said anything? I thought I’d hear it from you!”I felt my jaw clench as I listened to his words. He sounded both thrilled and slightly reproachful, and I couldn’t think of a single thing to say to ease the te
Chapter 116 Sienna’s PovAs I got off the phone with Lucas’s uncle, a thousand questions swirled in my mind. Why would he want to take me to dinner? What was his real motive? But I decided not to overthink it. After all, I had my own plans to deal with Lucas and his upcoming engagement. I slipped into a simple yet elegant dress, making sure I looked composed but not overly formal. .When he arrived to pick me up, I greeted him politely and got into the car. The restaurant he chose was a cozy, upscale place, quiet enough for conversation but lively enough to feel comfortable. As we sat down, he reached across the table and took my hand. “Sienna,” he said in a calm yet sincere tone, “I don’t want you to worry about Lucas. He’s… lost right now. He doesn’t know what he’s doing.” I pulled my hand back gently, giving him a faint smile. “I’m not worrying about Lucas. We have no relation to each other anymore. Whatever he’s doing with Lisa is his business, not mine.” He nodded,
Chapter 115Sienna’s PovI held the invitation card tightly in my hand as I stared at Lisa’s smug face. “Don’t cross my path again, Lisa,” I said, my voice calm but edged with warning. She laughed lightly, adjusting her purse on her shoulder. “Oh, Sienna, you can say what you want, but I’ll see you at the party. Whether you like it or not.” I didn’t respond, turning on my heel and walking out of the store. My grip on the invitation card tightened as I pushed open the doors, the cool air outside doing little to calm the anger boiling inside me. When I got home, I stood by the counter, staring at the glossy card with Lucas’s name written in bold. My first instinct was to tear it apart, to shred it into tiny pieces and throw it away. But as I reached for it, a thought stopped me. "Why not give them a warm present instead?" I thought that would be better.A slow, mischievous smile crept across my face. If Lisa and Lucas thought I’d sit quietly and watch them parade their fake
Chapter 114 Sienna’s Pov“Daphne,” I said softly, sitting back on the edge of her bed. “Lucas isn’t your daddy.” Her small face scrunched up in confusion, her wide eyes brimming with innocence. “But he’s always so nice to me. Why can’t he be my daddy?” I sighed, brushing her hair away from her forehead. “Sometimes, people are just nice to us because they care. It doesn’t mean they’re family. Now, sweetie, you need to lie down and get some rest. You have a big day at school tomorrow.” Daphne hesitated but finally settled into her bed, her tiny hands clutching her stuffed bunny. “Okay, Mommy,” she said quietly. I kissed her forehead and tucked her in, whispering, “Goodnight, sweetheart.” As I left her room and closed the door softly behind me, I leaned against it, exhaling heavily. Daphne’s question had struck a nerve, one I’d buried deep for years. Despite the turmoil swirling in my heart, I found myself smiling as I thought about everything I’d achieved. I’d created a
Chapter 113 Sienna’s Pov“Sienna, where are you?” David’s voice on the other end of the line sounded worried. “I’m fine, David,” I replied, stepping aside as Daphne ran past me, giggling. “Why do you ask?” “I stopped by your place earlier, and you weren’t home. Just wanted to make sure everything was okay,” he said. I smiled lightly, though he couldn’t see me. “Thanks for checking, but we’re alright. I’ll talk to you later, okay? Bye, David.” “Alright. Take care,” he replied, and I ended the call. Daphne came running back to me, looking tired but happy. “Mommy, I’m so tired,” she said, wrapping her arms around my legs. I bent down and kissed her on the forehead. “You had fun, didn’t you?” She nodded, yawning dramatically. I turned to Ryan, who was leaning against the car, smiling at us. “Thank you for today,” I said sincerely. “And for the gift. Daphne loved it.” “It was nothing,” Ryan replied with a casual shrug. “Anything for you two. And if you need anything, you
Chapter 112Sienna’s PovThe soft chime of my phone pulled me from my thoughts. I glanced down and saw Ryan’s name pop up on the screen with a simple message: *“Come outside. There’s a car waiting for you. Trust me.”* I frowned slightly, my curiosity piqued. Placing the phone on the counter, I grabbed my bag and walked out the door. Just as he said, a sleek black car was parked at the curb. The driver stepped out, greeted me politely, and opened the door. “Where am I going?” I asked hesitantly. “You’ll see,” the driver replied with a professional smile. The car stopped in front of a grand restaurant. The warm lights inside cast a golden glow through the large windows, and the atmosphere buzzed with elegance and luxury. My jaw dropped slightly as I stepped out, unsure why I was here. Ryan stood at the entrance, dressed sharply, his usual confident smile softening as he caught my gaze. “This is for you,” he said, gesturing to the restaurant behind him. “For me?” I rep
Chapter 111 Lucas’s Pov“David, we need to talk,” I said as he opened the door. David raised an eyebrow but didn’t seem surprised to see me. “Lucas, didn’t we just leave this mess? What is it now?” I stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, glancing around his neat and modern living room. “I need answers. About Sienna.” David closed the door behind me, crossing his arms as he leaned against it. “Answers? What do you think I know?” I turned to face him, trying to keep my tone casual. “You live next to her. You’ve obviously spent time with her. I figured you might know more about what’s going on in her life.” David chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re barking up the wrong tree, Lucas. I’ve only known Sienna for a few days.” I didn’t believe him. Folding my arms, I leaned against the back of his couch. “A few days? That’s hard to believe, considering how comfortable she seems around you.” “She’s a good neighbor,” David replied with a shrug. “And I’m just being pol
Chapter 110 Lucas’s PovI didn’t know what to say. Ryan was doing most of the talking, though it was clear he was struggling to string a proper sentence together. His words came out jumbled, stammered, and frankly, they didn’t make much sense. Sienna just stood there in the doorway, arms crossed, staring at the three of us like we were a group of misbehaving children. Her eyes flicked over our bruised faces, and I could tell she was holding back her temper. When I opened my mouth to say something, she raised a hand to stop me. “Enough,” she said sharply. “All of you, stop talking. You’re grown men. Handle your injuries yourselves.” She turned around without waiting for a response, scooped Daphne into her arms, and carried her inside, shutting the door firmly behind her. I let out a long sigh, my shoulders slumping. This wasn’t how I wanted things to go. I’d hoped, naively, that seeing me in such a state would tug at Sienna’s soft, merciful side, the one I knew so well. Bu
Chapter 109Ryan’s PovI wanted to punch Lucas right there in Sienna’s living room. The smug look on his face, the way he acted like he had a right to be here, made my blood boil. But I kept my fists clenched in my pocket. Starting a fight wouldn’t help Sienna, and it would only make things worse for Daphne. So, I sat back, my jaw tight, and kept my focus on Sienna, who was doing her best to keep the situation calm. “Why don’t I cook something for everyone?” she said, her tone overly cheerful in an attempt to cut through the tension. “The three of you can go to the supermarket and get me what I need.” Lucas frowned. “The three of us?” “Yes,” Sienna replied quickly. “You’ll all need to get along sooner or later, so this is a good start.” David gave her a small nod. “Sure, if that’s what you want.” I shrugged, hiding the smirk forming on my lips. If I couldn’t hit Lucas, I’d enjoy making him uncomfortable. “Alright. Let’s go.” It took longer than it should’ve to decide wh
Chapter 108 Sienna’s Pov“Mommy!” Daphne’s voice echoed from the living room as I heard her small footsteps shuffle around. Panic gripped me. I’d left her alone for just a few minutes while I cleaned up in the bathroom. Throwing down the towel, I rushed out to see what had happened. The sight of David sitting at the dining table with Daphne by his side caught my eye. Her small hand was wrapped in a makeshift bandage, and tears glistened in her eyes. “What happened?” I asked, my voice trembling as I hurried over to them. David looked up, his expression calm but concerned. “She tried peeling an orange on her own,” he explained, gesturing to the knife on the counter. “She cut herself before I could stop her.” “Oh, Daphne…” I knelt beside her, gently taking her hand and examining the injury. The cut wasn’t deep, but seeing her hurt like this made my heart race. “I’m okay, Mommy,” Daphne said, her voice wavering. I felt a so much guilt for leaving her unsupervised. “I should