Sienna bit her lower lip and voiced her distress, "Can you persuade Mom to stop using her life as leverage against me?" "I wish I could, but Mom is unwavering. Every time she threatens to end her life, she means it," Felix lamented, shaking his head with resignation. Sienna fell into silence. She couldn't selfishly pursue her desires at the expense of Shelly's life for the sake of love. She held onto the belief in time's healing power, knowing she would eventually release Daniel, let go of their relationship, and rebuild her life. Love hadn't blinded her. Days later, Felix was discharged, and life resumed its rhythm. Sienna delved into writing, assisting Shelly at the shop, dabbling in cooking now and then, and unwinding with her closest friend.One day, Jane reached out and invited Sienna to a high school reunion. Sienna, often away for work, rarely attended such gatherings. Being back in her hometown this year, she thought it would be nice to catch up with her long-lost cl
"I'm single, but my heart already belongs to someone else. I'm sorry," Sienna confessed. Howard smiled ruefully in response. "I understand what you mean. If you and the man you love don't work out, why not give me a shot? Maybe we'd be a better match?" Pausing, Sienna turned to face him. Howard halted too, his eyes softening as he spoke sincerely, "Sienna, life is full of regrets. I've admired you for so long, and not telling you how I felt during graduation is my biggest regret. Now that I have the opportunity, I don't want to let it slip." Sienna admired bravery in others. "Howard, I—" Before she could finish her words, a figure approached them hastily. She didn't have time to react when a strong arm encircled Sienna, pulling her into a warm, sturdy chest. She looked up in surprise, meeting Daniel's resolute and handsome face. Seeing Sienna embraced by a stranger, Howard's anxiety spiked. "Who are you? What do you want?" Considering Daniel's imposing presence, Howa
Sienna found herself pulled forcefully into Daniel's home. With the click of the door, panic surged within her. Uncertain of what an enraged man might do, she struggled against his grip, desperate to break free. Yet, as a delicate woman, she couldn't match Daniel's strength. He dragged her into the living room, depositing her onto the couch. Tension gripped her as she cast anxious glances at Daniel, fearing he might rush over in a fit of rage. But instead of erupting, Daniel settled beside her. His demeanor was subdued as he bowed his head, hands cradling his forehead in evident distress. Silence enveloped them in the bright living room, broken only by the soft rhythm of their breaths. Outside the window, darkness cloaked the world. The atmosphere inside grew heavy as they sat in quiet contemplation. Sienna thought that perhaps Daniel was just angry and wanted a reason to spend some time alone with her. He wasn't directing his frustrations at her. "Daniel, didn't we agree no
Thus, this job meant the world to Daniel. It was his mission, his pride, his duty—everything.Sienna loved Daniel and held his work and life in high regard.Daniel grabbed her arm and pulled her close. "Am I not good enough compared to your classmate who's weak and divorced?"Sienna stumbled, finding herself in his embrace. Uncertainty and anxiety filled her gaze as she looked up at him. The pain in her arm brought tears to her eyes.Her chin trembled as she struggled to hold her tears back. She felt utterly lost as she stared at him.Daniel's eyes filled with tears when he saw Sienna's eyes welling up. His voice, full of sadness, shook a little as he spoke, "Sienna, I wish I could go back to when I was blind and crippled."Even if you were only looking after me for money, I felt genuinely happy and at peace back then."Tears trickled down Sienna's face as she thought back to those days. She didn't want to go back to the past. Daniel's suffering was too hard to bear. She hoped
Daniel pressed Sienna down beneath him. Her struggles only made things harder for him. Gradually, he pulled away from her lips and planted kisses along her fair neck.She gasped for air and whimpered softly. Terrified and shaking, she closed her eyes and pleaded tearfully, "Daniel, please stop.""Sienna, I love you," Daniel whispered as he kissed her ear. His voice was as deep and alluring as aged wine.Sienna felt as if electric currents surged through her entire body wherever his lips and hands had touched. It left her feeling numb and weak.She was trembling with fear, yet deep down, she couldn't deny a sense of longing. Eventually, she stopped struggling and leaned her body toward him.Before falling in love, Sienna had firmly believed in waiting until marriage for sex. However, overwhelmed by her deep love for him, her physical desires overtook her sense of reason.Sienna eased her tense body. She bit her lip to stifle any moans of pleasure caused by the strange feelings swe
"I…" Shelly stammered. She swallowed nervously and continued, "I-I'm doing this because I care about you."Sienna wiped away her tears, her voice trembling with emotion as she said, "There are countless people in this world. Every day, lives are lost to illness, accidents, or even violence. Who can we truly protect from such fates?"If I marry a driver, can you promise he won't be involved in a tragic accident? If I marry a small business owner, can you guarantee he won't fall victim to alcoholism?"If I marry a farmer, can you promise he won't succumb to poverty or illness? Just look at the heartbreaking stories of entire families being devastated that we see in the news."Behind these incidents are ordinary people. These unforeseeable tragedies aren't exclusive to anti-drug officers. I beg you. Please don't transfer your misfortune onto me."As Sienna finished speaking, she collapsed onto the couch and sobbed uncontrollably.Shelly felt panicked and was unsure of what to do. Sh
Sienna couldn't wait to find Daniel after getting Shelly's approval. But reflecting on her harsh words from last night, she wondered how he was coping. Was he even willing to see her?She held onto her phone, her eyes fixed on the last message she sent to Daniel. There was no response from him yet.The day before, Sienna stated that she didn't have feelings for him and that she didn't love him. Would texting him now to express her desire to be with him seem insincere?Would Daniel think she had disregarded his emotions and taken him for granted?Sienna clutched her phone, a whirlwind of thoughts tormenting her. Neither calling nor texting seemed adequate to express her true feelings.As the evening approached, Sienna rode her electric scooter toward the police station. She figured this was around the time Daniel would be finishing work.The sunset cast a warm glow around her. She savored the beauty of the scenery along the roadside. A deep sense of contentment washed over her.H
Sienna silently scolded herself for not valuing what she once had and held herself responsible. With a heavy heart, she turned her electric scooter back home.In the days that followed, Sienna couldn't muster the courage to see Daniel. Instead, she constantly checked her phone, hoping for his message.She longed for a reason and the bravery to reach out to him, but each day passed without progress.On the day Felix left the hospital, Shelly prepared various dishes at home. She had asked Sienna to invite Daniel over, but Sienna was unsure of how to broach the subject with him.In the hospital ward, Felix folded clothes and stole occasional glances at Sienna, who sat quietly on a stool. "You're here to pick me up, yet you're not lending a hand. Why are you just lost in your phone?"Putting her phone down, Sienna glared at Felix and replied, "You're perfectly capable of moving, aren't you? Why make a fuss over folding clothes?"Felix shook his head in exasperation. "You're really th