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 97Lucas’s PovThe tension in the room was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Ryan stood at the side, his stance casual but his eyes sharp, watching me like a hawk. It didn’t help that his outstretched hand had been an unspoken invitation for me to sit back down, to stay in their little bubble. I wasn’t about to take it.I brushed his hand aside, the gesture curt. "I’m fine standing," I muttered, my voice low and dismissive.Ryan raised an eyebrow but didn’t push the issue, stepping back with a slight shrug. Sienna’s eyes flickered between us, her irritation simmering just beneath the surface."If you’re staying," Sienna said firmly, folding her arms across her chest, "then behave. Otherwise, leave. What exactly do you want, Lucas?"Her voice was steady, but I could see the weariness in her expression, the way her shoulders sagged ever so slightly. I wasn’t here to play nice, though, not after everything that had happened.“I came to tell you I’m getting married to Lis
Chapter 98Lucas’s PovI gripped the steering wheel tightly as I drove, the tension in my chest not easing despite the wind rushing through the open windows. My mind raced with everything that had just happened at Sienna’s house. I could still hear her voice screaming, *"Just let me leave!"* It echoed in my ears, making me feel heavier than I wanted to admit.By the time I reached home, I felt drained. The house was eerily quiet as I stepped inside, but that silence was quickly broken when I saw Lisa in the living room, shoving clothes into a suitcase."Lisa," I said, my voice cracking slightly. "What… what are you doing?"She didn’t even look up, her movements brisk and purposeful. “What does it look like, Lucas? I’m leaving.”Panic set in as I dropped my keys on the counter and approached her. “Lisa, please. Don’t do this. I’m sorry, okay? Things have been crazy, and I know I’ve been off, but we can work through this. We’ve been through worse.”Finally, she paused, turning to face
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
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