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 99Sienna’s PovI sat on the couch, my knees pulled tightly to my chest, tears streaming silently down my face. The house was quiet except for Ryan’s soft voice as he tried to soothe me. “Sienna, you’ve been through so much already. You can’t keep blaming yourself for everything,” he said gently, sitting down beside me. “It’s not just about me,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “Daphne’s been through so much because of me. I thought I could give her a stable life, but I’m failing her. I don’t even know how to fix this anymore.” Ryan sighed, reaching out to place a comforting hand on my shoulder. “You’re not failing her, Sienna. You’re a good mother, and she knows it. She adores you, and it’s obvious. You’re doing everything you can.” I couldn’t respond, the lump in my throat making it hard to breathe. Just then, Daphne’s weak voice called from her room, breaking the silence. I shot up instantly, rushing to her side. Her small body was curled up under the blankets, bu
Chapter 100Lucas’s Pov"Mr. Lucas, I see you’ve arrived." The deep, commanding voice greeted me as I stepped into the lavish private dining room of The Green Ivy.The air smelled of exotic spices and freshly grilled meats, but my focus was immediately drawn to the long dining table in front of me. It was covered in an array of dishes that looked too extravagant for a simple meeting. From roasted duck and stuffed lobster to delicate pastries and expensive wines, the table was practically groaning under the weight of excess. I paused, uncertain if I was in the right place. “This is… unexpected,” I muttered under my breath. Before I could overthink it, a tall, sharply dressed man emerged from the shadows of the room. He exuded power, his every move deliberate and commanding. His dark suit fit him perfectly, and his silver watch glinted under the dim lighting. “Mr. Monroe,” he said, extending a hand as he approached. “I’ve been looking forward to this meeting. Please, sit.” I
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
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 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