(Sienna's POV)
"No. No, no, no... This isn't real."
I felt my heartbeat thunder in my ears.
The cathedral was packed, every seat filled with Houston's elite.
Crystal chandeliers bathed the grand space in golden light, casting a warm glow over the guests, their murmurs like a distant hum. The scent of roses and expensive cologne filled the air, but I barely registered it.
I was supposed to be the perfect bride-poised, elegant, glowing with happiness.
But as I locked eyes with my groom at the altar, my world came crashing down.
Because second the man I had a reckless one-night stand with just weeks ago-was standing there.
As my husband-to-be. Julian Castellanos.
His shock mirrored mine.
His piercing blue eyes, once filled with sinful pleasure, now darkened with disbelief.
A muscle in his jaw clenched. His fingers curled into fists.
And then... his expression turned cold.
Like a switch had flipped.
Like I was nothing.
I tried to swallow, but my throat was dry.
Not only was I marrying a man I’d slept with, but from the way he stood there, it was clear he knew exactly who I was.
He knew.
And he looked at me like he hated me for it.
Oh God. Oh God.
How was this happening?
I forced myself forward.
I felt the blood drain from my face as I clutched the bouquet in my trembling hands.
I couldn’t breathe.
I forced my legs to move down the aisle, step by step, my heart hammering so hard I thought I might pass out.
Julian didn't move. Didn't blink. His eyes never left mine.
They weren’t filled with love. Or warmth.
Just ice.
But the moment I placed my trembling hand in his, his grip tightened-not out of warmth, but as if he was restraining himself from snapping my wrist.
Then, in a voice laced with venom, he whispered, "You're fucking kidding”.
I barely had time to process Julian's words before I noticed the man standing behind him.
My breath caught.
I almost stumbled.
The best man... was the third man I had been with..
Oh My God.
My stomach dropped.
Julian's best man.
I had slept with both of them.
My vision blurred.
And then his best man lips curled into a dangerous smirk
A knowing smirk.
His gaze flickered over me like he was piecing things together.
I wanted to die.
The ceremony felt like a blur….
Vows were exchanged. Rings slipped onto fingers.
But every second, Julian’s touch burned like a silent threat.
Julian barely looked at me. His words were sharp, clipped, devoid of warmth.
And when the priest said, “You may kiss the bride”.
He hesitated.
Then pressed a brief, lifeless kiss on my lips before pulling away as if I disgusted him.
I held my head high, refusing to show how much it stung.
I had to get out of here.
The reception was loud laughter, clinking glasses, the soft hum of a violin in the background. Guests danced, toasted, and whispered about how stunning the new bride and groom were.
I needed to get out, my vision still spinning,
Slipping past the crowd, I stepped outside, inhaling the cool evening air.
Then, I walked straight into a tall, commanding figure.
"Are you blind?, watch where you're going,” he snapped, his voice sharp.
I stumbled back, blinking up at him.
A young man should be in his thirties with streaks of silver in his dark hair, stared down at me with an irritated scowl. His presence was imposing, his expensive suit fitting his broad frame perfectly.
I didn’t know who he was, but something about him made my skin prickle.
Before I could respond, he brushed past me, disappearing into the crowd.
I exhaled sharply.
I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until another voice made my blood run cold.
I blinked.
Who the hell was that? I guess fate had other plans.
Because Julian's Best Man was already waiting for me.
I froze.
He leaned in so slightly, his whisper made my skin crawl.
"Well, well, well. Isn't this... interesting?”
His smirk was gone.
Now, his eyes were filled with something else.
Disgust.
"You must think you're real clever, huh?" His voice was low, dangerous.
My stomach twisted. "What?"
He took a slow, deliberate step closer.
"Sleeping with me," he continued, voice dripping with mockery, "knowing damn well you were marrying my brother?"
My heart stopped.
Brother?
The world tilted.
"You..." I swallowed. "You and Julian are…”
His jaw tightened. "Don't give me that act of surprise, sweetheart. Guess you didn't do your homework before spreading your legs, huh?"
My knees nearly gave out.
Holy Shit.
But before I could respond, a cold, commanding voice cut through the tension.
"What the hell is going on here?"
Julian.
His presence was like a force of nature-dark, overpowering, furious.
His gaze flicked between Dominic and me, sharp and unreadable.
I opened my mouth to explain, but he didn’t give me the chance.
"Let's Go Home"
I turned as he stood at the entrance, his jaw clenched, his gaze burning.
Without another word, I walked past Dominic, but I could feel his eyes on me the entire time.
************
The bedroom was massive.
A luxury suite, fit for a king and queen.
But right now, it felt like a prison. Of course this was hell on earth, even if I haven't been to the real hell.
Julian stood by the window, his back to me, hands shoved in his pockets.
I waited.
For him to say something.
For him to acknowledge me.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he turned.
"Take off the dress."
My breath caught.
I wasn’t sure what I expected.
But the way he said it cold, detached, emotionless made my stomach drop.
When I didn’t move, his lips curled into a cruel smirk.
"What’s wrong, Sienna?" His voice dripped with mockery. "You didn’t have a problem stripping for me that night."
I flinched.
The air crackled with tension.
I wanted to fight back. To scream.
But I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
So I lifted my chin. Defiant.Unyielding.
"You think this marriage is a punishment for me?" My voice was steady, even. "Fine. But just remember, Julian you’re stuck with me too."
His eyes darkened.
And I knew at that moment.
This war had just begun….
(Nathaniel’s POV)"Leave the wedding alone. Let them celebrate while they can."I leaned back in my chair, fingers tapping against the armrest as I studied the man in front of me. Tobias. One of my best men, but also the most impatient. I leaned back in my chair, my fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest, eyes narrowing as I studied the man before me. Tobias. One of my best men, though I often wondered how he made it to this level. He was impatient, always twitching, always ready for action.He stood stiffly, shifting his weight from foot to foot, clearly struggling to hold his tongue."The wedding’s happening right now," he said after a long silence. "We could move in…."I cut him off with a sharp look. "Did I stutter?"He swallowed hard. "No, sir."I exhaled slowly, smirking. "Mr Edward, her father, thinks he’s clever. Let him. Once I’m done with him and his entire household, he won’t live to tell the story."Tobias hesitated, eyes darting to the side. "And the girl?"Th
(Sienna’s POV)"What the hell is Julian doing here?"I walked into my office, barely setting my bag down before my PA, Chloe, rushed toward me."Mrs. Castellanos," she began hesitantly, glancing over her shoulder as if afraid someone might hear.I narrowed my eyes. "What?"She bit her lip. "Your father and… um, your husband are in his office. They’ve been talking for over an hour."I frowned. "Julian?"What the hell was he doing here?I had assumed he’d be at his own company, playing the perfect CEO while I enjoyed a small break from his insufferable presence. Instead, he was here, discussing something with my father behind my back.My gut twisted.I turned on my heels and marched toward my father’s office.Chloe called after me, “Ma’am, should I—”But I didn’t stop.I pushed the door open without knocking, my pulse hammering in my ears.My father sat behind his desk, his hands folded in front of him, looking as composed as ever. Julian, on the other hand, leaned against the desk, arm
SIENNA'S POV. I stared blankly at the documents that had occupied my mahogany office desk, the air tense and suffocating with every minutes passing by. I stood from the chair to rest on the wall beside the tall glass window of my corner office. I watched as the city ahead of me stretched before me in endless motion and drives but they feel so far away. I crossed my hands over my chest. Shouldn't I be feeling some kind of way? I should feel something, joy, relief, troubled or even fear? But all I felt was… numb. I moved slightly to rest my forehead against the cool glass — at least it gave the comfort I wanted. My left hand grazed my belly through the silk of my blouse — Julian's words replaying in my head. “We're married now, Sienna.“ the possessive tone almost creepy as it lingered in my ears like a sour tone. Slowly, I walked to my desk, picking up one of the many pictures from the wedding day. My hands brushed it for a moment, curling my lips to a tight smile, as I studied Jul
SIENNA'S POV“You don’t know anything about me.”“But I want to.” he said softly, his voice lacing with mockery..I faltered, shifting backwards. Every rational bone in my body screaming to walk away but my body remembers his hands, my lips remembers his taste. And with reckless abandon, I let myself in this spur of the moment. Now I wasn't a wife or a mother of an unborn child, I danced as — Sienna. As the music played on, it seemed to keep its match with mine. The air becomes thicker than before with the reek of alcohol, perfume, heat and sin — my skin glows with the flickering light from the adrenaline, my heart raced as the stranger's body comes in contact with mine. At first, our bodies were inches apart, the place kept bubbling with everyone dancing, but I — I was in another world. This was no longer a dance, it turned a silent interrogation. His gaze laid unshifting from my body pressing its weight of curiosity and want my body wouldn't even deny, although, my gaze locked o
I had been lost just some moment ago in the arms of the one whose kiss sent my gaze spiraling and vision blur until he paused, breaking his thought that sent everything I held strong shatter. My pride — self worth. “Your body seems too hold… quite some secret.“I froze, pulling the sheet tighter around me like some shield from danger, I shut my eyes tight, instinctively too. “Don't make this anymore complicated please.“ I stated with clarity or so I thought until my brain shut as my voice played in my head — broken, pleading. “But it already is. Isn't it?“ His voice sharper than expected. Why was he mad?I pulled the sheet tighter than earlier around myself, feeling exposed. The coldness from him contrasting sharply with the fear settling in my stomach. His gaze, piercing — what does he know, anyway? Why was his reaction this cold? My heart raced, Who was he anywhere that his reaction was already a judgement. Those stares, they made me curl up to the end of the bed like I had jus
SIENNA’S POV. I stared at Harper, not taking my eyes off her as she spoke. “It’s yours. That child inside of you. Nothing, nobody matters, it's just you and the child.”And just there, I thought, just maybe those were the comforts I needed. I adjusted my sitting position on the chair I sat on, opposite Harper. Maybe they weren’t just words. I really needed to give this child a world. That's easy. I mean, that would have,. but I was left in this desolate world, in a loveless marriage and now, it was just me and her. I wrapped my hands around my bowel - I was going to hide her until I found out who the father was.“Sienna..” Someone was calling my name repeatedly and it felt so annoying that he had to be jerking me off by my arm. I snapped my eyes wide with fury laced on my face and it only softened as my gaze found Harper calling unto me. I had been lost in thoughts that I had left her mumbling her own words to herself and she was calling back my attention. “I’m sorry. Need to go.”
Sienna Pov “Oh really! Is that the new tactic? Well, you’re so bad at playing so get your fvcking ass off my bed.” Julian raised his voice, as it cut through the silence in the cold mansion sharp and cold, reminding me of the hostility of my fate as his lips curled into a smirk with every given opportunity. “Oh Julian, not today please.” I shrugged, turned to the other part of the bed and pulled the blanket over my body when suddenly, Julian jumped over the bed, yanking me off where I laid on, I lost my balance and tripped over from the bed to the floor. I let out a sharp cry once my butt landed on the ground and even while I tried to stand up, Julian gripped me roughly by the arms and kept on dragging me to the bathroom floor. “Julian please.” Now, tears trickled down my cheeks as the pain increased but he wouldn't listen until I agreed.Slowly, I picked myself off the floor with much effort, swear broke on my forehead and I just couldn't endure the pain down there as I walked. I
Sienna PovI walked in with a very timid composure as everyone stared at us. It was already much discomfort it brought but still they kept pointing at my exposed yet tight fitting. I knew just exactly might be running their mind and I gritted my teeth almost cursing Julian to jail for letting a simple dress misrepresent me in the public. With every step we took,my inner self screamed at me to yank his grip off my arm as both were interlocked. I hissed, frustration in my mind as I raised an eyebrow at a bulky guy who came for a handshake. Julian tapped me by the waist as if commanding I accord the man. With much disdain, I shrugged left with no choice than to obey,“hi.” I muttered, swallowing the lump in my throat,“Mr Philip. It’s a pleasure meeting you at the charity gala.” I smirked, not at his gestures to the man but the pretense he built in an instant, his usually cold face was replaced with a wide grin one would mistake for a smile. The other reciprocated in the gesture and lef
Inside the Villain’s mind.Nathaniel’s POV.“Who are you?” she asked. I felt pity for her after revealing my intentions to her. It’s often said that girls like it when guys lie to them but I’ll say ripping their heart wide open with the truth is the best any man can ever give to any woman. That way, they won’t be bothered about you telling lies because they know you’re brutally honest. “Nathaniel. You have 72 hours to do it.” An ultimatum would make it swifter. It would put her in deep tension and the thought of her nudes reaching the public would make her accelerate the plan. If it wasn’t for sloppy Dominic who couldn’t handle his files well, I wouldn’t have gotten it to begin with. It’s probably too much for her to handle. But I’m pretty sure he can handle it. She was smart enough to betray her husband and work for Dominic, even though she had a little bit of my help. She’ll figure it out again even if it means betraying Julian again. My motive is quite simple; in order for her
Torment takes another toll. Sienna’s POV. Ever since I did what Dominic requested from me, I can't help but feel relieved. I already made it pretty clear that I wasn't going to partake in his threats any longer. Although, it would be nice to start gathering some things about him in order to protect myself from whatever curve ball he intends to throw. I know he will. He is a parasite that keeps feeding off people and I'm not going to let myself be blackmailed and dragged around like a pawn. As I made my declaration to protect what's left of my life, a message popped up from my laptop screen. It was my nudes.Again. My mind went to Dominic instantly because I know he is the only person capable of doing something like this. “Dominic, I already told you. I am done with all your demands! I won't be your pawn in your little game. Go find someone else to play around.”I fired up a text message as a response to his threat. My eyes almost teared up as I was tired of everything. The repl
WHEN THE GAME JUST BEGINS.SIENNA'S POV.I heaved a sigh as my mind drifted to the mission in front of me. This one that glared at me and needed to be done in the next few minutes. I trembled, knee cracking as if wanting to put me to the ground.I left the building's entrance and walked in, dressed in corporate suits with files clutched to my arm as I held onto the duplicate device inside my coat pocket. My mind races in an uneven breath that I feared…What if someone could tell I was not a worker here?I ignored the voice in my head, this was a company that could not differentiate its clients from workers if not with uniform and here I was, in their Tuesday red coat. As I walked through the building's hallway, I heard footsteps approaching me, I paused in my tracks and the latter did the same.Has someone suspected me? I turned back searching for whoever was behind me but I couldn't find anyone. Maybe I was just being paranoid but then I could not wave off the feeling I was being
MY WOMB, HIS WEAPON. SIENNA'S POV. The room was dead silent and the only sound from it was the clock that ticked loudly. I paced the room as my fingers curled around my phone, my thumb hovering over Dominic's message: Tomorrow. Your first step.Every word is lacing as a threat. I sat at the edge of the bed, dropping the phone beside me as I let out a shaky breath. My eyes moved to the mirror that was just opposite me and as I stared at the reflection, I could barely recognize the woman that was staring back at me. It wasn't supposed to be this way. Just where did everything go wrong? I placed my hands to my stomach, rubbing it gently as I felt my child growing inside of me. “My little secret.“ I muttered. She was my reason and burden. She was innocent and untouched by the poison that threatened all around her but would my baby be safe if I didn't cooperate? If I thought of it as an empty threat, my baby would be put in harm's way right? I hated Dominic. I clenched my fist as I
SUSPICIONS. JULIAN'S POVThe week has gone with meetings upon meetings, calls for clarity, teaming up with employees and even holding board meetings too consistently, both impromptu and planned. And now just this board meeting was already a disaster. There was no trust or even patience. The company was already losing funds as payment for researches and even the shady deal signed got their way to exhorting the company's recent gains. Numbers didn't lie, the report showed clearly the company was bleeding money from every corner that I knew and did not as presented by the financial team. I clenched my fist to my side, jaw tight in frustration as I stepped into the quiet street with gaze darkened except from the sky outside that was painted with already fading purple but it did nothing. It was still what it was. I was losing the company. The whispers from the board room replayed in my mind, the hints of sarcasm in that voice, their almost void emotion that were so taunting on its own
BOARD REBEL. JULIAN'S POV. I had not just already made a mistake with the wrong investor, even the board was already against me in terms of decision making. “This isn't just some ponzi legacy, this — it's a company with People's interest and wealth at heart.““Signing a deal without reading the contract agreement? What could I be thinking?“ This one let out a dry chuckle and retreated once our eyes locked. I rubbed my temples, “We'd rather vote for a leader who is responsible and accountable, we shouldn't lose any interest in profits or even our shareholders, the stakes are reduced.“ An old man said. I sat, carefully taking in their complaints and attitude. When it comes to work, I was never biased or ever saw myself as a leader but just one of them. And now, it was clear enough, someone here was dishing out information to another party as it was only discussed from within the board where Mr Philips would be and not even the employees knew. So now, it was an impostor? I didn't
MY LITTLE SECRET. SIENNA'S POV. Since the night Dominic stepped in, I never laid my eyes on Julian. He never came home except on nights and that baffled me just because he would always come home drunk. I couldn't approach Dominic because of our encounter, but tonight, while I paced the room, I made up my mind to meet up with him. After all, Julian was my husband and it never mattered the circumstances. “Huh.. I'm sorry to bother you. Is anything going on at work? My husband hasn't been taking my calls and when he comes home I don't even see him till dawn after he comes back late at night.“ I muttered in a soft, breaking tone. I was about to tear up but I guided it as it was all the pregnancy emotions and hormones that portrayed me this week. Dominic burst into a rail of dry laughter, I could hear it — scornful, I could feel it, hysteric and sarcastic. He teared off in laughter again. “Husband?“ This wasn't a question but a tease that struck my nerves ; even hard. I ignored his
HOME IS NOT PEACE. JULIAN'S POVShotttttssssssss!“ I was already overly mad and this one wouldn't add more to it. “More please.“ I ordered more rounds, drowned them, but her name never left my mouth. It went on and on, stuck in my mind. I took out my phone, its screen lighting up to my face. “Find out everything about her. Sienna.“ I instructed and hung up the phone, I needed no response from the end as I knew, no one dared to defile my commands. Once I hung up, I reached the conclusion. Wasn't I already falling for this person??I hissed, waving it off, she was all about chaos And love… was a boundary here. I dared not to cross and if I did…I either had to choose to accept or receive. I took more bottles and shots… I had reached my limit but I never stopped, I kept on requesting for more shots as I drowned myself down in it, mind clouded in guilt. I crouched down before eventually resting my head against the counter and that way, I passed out, darkness engulfing me in its em
FOR THE LIFE INSIDE ME.SIENNA'S POV.I had not only gotten sexed with away from desire but his words stung me. I took the rough sheets where he had just made out with me and brought them to my nose. Not to sniff on them like lust or any, but the smell made my heart clench, tears welled up in my eyes threatening to fall and although I forced them not to, they did. I couldn't help it, I could not have. The room went silence once Julian slammed the door shut behind him, and all that hung on was not just eerie silence but cries. He stormed out of the bedroom not looking back or stopped once, and I sat, muffling off cries. Not just cause he raped me, but my baby was uncomfortable. Every thrust he gave, it was as though my womb shifted and that made me cry loud but what could I say?That I was pregnant and didn't know who the father of the child was. I wailed, tears gathering up in my eyes as if the eyeballs would fall to the ground. 'My child must think I'm already a bad mother.' I let