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 92Sienna’s Pov“Mommy, I like this place,” Daphne whispered excitedly as she looked around the restaurant, her wide eyes sparkling as she took in the elegant lights and the cozy ambiance. Her small hand clutched mine tightly, and I smiled down at her, feeling a warmth in my heart that was rare these days.“Yes, it’s lovely, isn’t it?” I replied, squeezing her hand gently as I looked across the table at Ryan. He was sitting across from us, watching Daphne with a fond smile, his presence calm and reassuring. Tonight was different. I wasn’t used to feeling at ease in a place like this, especially with someone I didn’t know well, but Ryan had a way of making everything feel simple and safe. He’d been kind enough to invite Daphne along without hesitation, and I couldn’t deny the comfort I felt seeing him interact with her so naturally. But underneath that comfort, I could feel the exhaustion tugging at me, my body worn from the stress of recent days. I’d brushed it aside, telling
Chapter 93 Lucas's Pov I barely registered the blur of movement across the street, just a hazy figure that looked a lot like Sienna. But I was far too drunk to care, too drunk to even think clearly. The bar was loud, the dim lights seemed to pulse with each beat of the music, and the clinking of glasses around me felt muffled. I was buried in the weight of my own thoughts, drowning in frustration, stress, and alcohol. The thought of the wedding, my job, the dwindling state of my career, all of it spiraled around me until the drink in my hand was the only thing keeping me grounded.Somewhere in my intoxicated mind, I realized that if I didn’t act fast, I’d lose everything. I needed money, not only to keep Lisa but to make this wedding happen, to prove that I still had everything under control. I fumbled with my phone, scrolling through numbers and contacts, and eventually made the rash decision to request a loan from the bank.The next morning, I woke up to a splitting headache, m
Chapter 94Ryan's PovWhen I first met Sienna, I hadn’t expected much. A fleeting bit of fun, I’d thought, a way to break up the monotony of the same old scene. But things took an unexpected turn. It wasn’t just Sienna who captured my interest, it was Daphne, her spirited, curious daughter, with that innocent laugh and quick smile that made me feel… different. Daphne wasn’t a kid you could ignore. She had this way of worming her way into your heart, one laugh at a time.Taking them out had become my favorite part of the week, something I looked forward to. But tonight was different; we’d planned for a little evening treat, maybe an outdoor cafe or a small local diner with ice cream on the menu. Sienna, however, wasn’t as enthusiastic about the idea.“Ryan, thank you, really,” she said, her voice warm but firm. “But I think Daphne’s had too much sugar lately.” She looked down at Daphne, who was happily twirling, unaware of the conversation. “I just don’t want her bouncing off the wa
Chapter 95Lucas’s PovThat night, I finally got some sleep, the kind that dragged me into a dreamless void and refused to let go. I’d been running on fumes, and by the time I woke up, the sun was already up, streaming in through the blinds. I had to face another day,.a day I needed to spend fixing everything that had been slipping through my hands.After getting ready, I grabbed the briefcase that held the latest presentation of my project, the one I’d been pouring my energy into in hopes it might redeem everything. It was an ambitious venture, something I believed in, something I hoped the business world would believe in too. I needed to make this work; it was my one shot at redemption.I spent the morning driving from one company to the next, my GPS guiding me through the congested streets as I rehearsed my pitch in my head, trying to keep my voice steady and my mind focused. The first meeting was at a tech company downtown, a sleek, glass-fronted building that gleamed in the m
Chapter 96Sienna’s Pov“Welcome back, Sienna!” Mrs. Collette, one of my neighbors, called out cheerfully as I opened the door to our new place with Daphne’s little hand in mine.“Thank you, Mrs. Collette! It’s nice to be back,” I replied with a warm smile. The sense of familiarity in this new neighborhood made me feel instantly at ease, and I was grateful that Daphne seemed to feel the same. “How was your trip?” she asked, glancing down at Daphne, who was already beaming with excitement, likely eager to play with her friends. “Oh, we just… took a little vacation,” I replied, choosing my words carefully. I didn’t want to explain too much, not wanting anyone to get the wrong idea about where we’d been or who we’d been with. My life was complicated enough without adding assumptions to the mix.Mrs. Collette nodded knowingly. “Good for you! Sometimes a little getaway is all you need to recharge. And it looks like Daphne had a good time, too.” She smiled down at Daphne, who grinned ba
Chapter 167 Lucas’s PovI didn’t expect to see her again. I thought she was gone, vanquished from my life after everything that had happened. But there she was, standing in my office, as if she hadn’t just been humiliated and thrown out like the mess she was. Lisa.I froze for a moment when I saw her, my heart immediately sinking into my stomach. She was standing by my desk, her posture stiff, her eyes flashing with the kind of determination I had seen before. The kind that always led to trouble.“Lisa,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm, but inside I was seething. "How did you get out? I thought you were locked up."She smiled—no, it wasn’t a smile. It was a grin. A grin that made my blood run cold. “You didn’t think I’d just disappear, did you?” she said, her voice laced with venom. “Someone helped me out. I’m not as easily dealt with as you think, Lucas."I could feel my jaw tightening. I had no idea who had helped her, or why, but I didn’t have the time or patience for her ga
Chapter 166 Sienna’s PovFor the first time in what felt like forever, I could finally smile. I could feel the weight lifting off my shoulders, and for the first time in so long, I felt… free. The past few weeks had been filled with tension, uncertainty, and fear, but now, now, it was over. The battle had been fought, and we had won.Watching Lisa humiliated in front of everyone was a small victory that tasted sweeter than I could have imagined. It wasn’t just about the public disgrace or the satisfaction of seeing her fall from grace, it was about what it meant. It meant that Lucas and I were finally in control. It meant that there was no one left to interfere with our happiness, no one who could threaten what we had built together. And I was going to enjoy every moment of it.I stood by Lucas’s side, my heart swelling with pride as he defended our marriage, defended our family. He had always been strong, but in that moment, I saw something more. He wasn’t just fighting for me, he
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