Sienna used up all her savings, and Shelly did the same. Shelly went even further by selling their corner store and borrowing money from relatives.Together, they gathered 250 thousand dollars to pay off the injured man.After that, their house turned bleak and lonely; a heavy sadness hung in the air. Shelly's illness got worse, and she stopped caring about anything.Busy from looking after Shelly and working to make ends meet, Sienna felt exhausted and drained. As time passed, she found herself unable to spare any time or energy for thoughts of Daniel. Meanwhile, Shelly was engulfed by severe depression. Her appetite vanished, sleep eluded her, and tears flowed daily as she lay in bed, devoid of motivation.She withdrew from the outside world, finding solace only in the memories captured in photos of her husband and son. She often spent hours huddled in a corner, weeping.Sienna dutifully sent a few hundred dollars to the prison monthly to ensure Felix had better meals. On visi
Sienna set out on an adventure. She followed the train routes, stopping at every destination along the way.During her journey, she penned books while immersing herself in the beauty of summer seas, autumnal grasslands, and snow-covered mountains in winter.She camped by the roadside, walking alongside herds of cattle and sheep. She also savored the tartness of wild fruits and quenched her thirst with fresh, sweet water from streams.Sienna traversed more than a dozen cities, meeting a diverse array of people, each with their own compelling lives and stories.Despite their differences, they all shared a deep passion for life and hopeful dreams for the future.Through these encounters, Sienna gradually overcame her sense of aimlessness. She embraced the opportunity to find stability, release past grievances, and fully appreciate the present moment.…Time flew by, and a year passed swiftly. Spring arrived once again. Sienna had reached Phoenicia for her next destination and had t
Bumping into Daniel unexpectedly caught Sienna off guard. Her heart started racing, feeling nervous and a bit overwhelmed. She smiled warmly and nodded hello as she met Daniel's intense gaze.Daniel froze, his hands automatically tightening into fists. Seeing Sienna after a year made his heart race uncontrollably.She still looked as charming and vibrant as ever. However, there was a hint of sadness in her eyes, suggesting a newfound maturity. It was like she was the same, yet somehow different.Her smile was calm and serene, with a hint of detachment."Sienna," Mila called out with delight. She hurried over and hugged Sienna warmly.Sienna returned the hug. "Wanda, it's been ages.""It really has." Mila stepped back and eyed Sienna up and down. "You've gotten lovelier."Sienna shyly lowered her head with a smile and remained silent.Daniel approached Sienna cautiously, his voice gentle as he greeted her, "Sienna, it's been a while."Sienna didn't meet his gaze. She hung her h
Sienna quickly shook her head. "I—"Before she could finish, Florence interrupted, "Yeah, that's right, stay with us. It's convenient, free, and safe. It's too dangerous for a young woman to stay in a hotel alone!""Thank you, Madam Florence, but I'll be fine at the hotel," Sienna replied. She felt a bit panicked inside.It had been a year since she had last seen Daniel. She didn't even know if he was married now. Maybe no one here knew she used to be his girlfriend. Staying here would be so awkward."Sienna, please stay here," Mila pleaded, hugging Sienna's arm. "I'm busy planning the wedding, and there's so much to do. If you're here, you can give me some suggestions, and I won't feel overwhelmed.""Wanda, I've never been married, so I don't know much about these things." Sienna felt lost and anxious as she tried to decline their kindness. Their enthusiasm overwhelmed her.Florence stood up and called to the maid behind her, "Prepare a room for Ms. Lawson.""Yes, madam," the m
Sienna found solace in the thought.The Morrisons gathered in the dining room in the evening for dinner, except for Daniel. Despite Nathan's busy schedule, he made it home to join Mila and the rest of the family for dinner.Sienna couldn't shake the feeling that Daniel was avoiding her. Their relationship was awkward, after all.The Morrisons were a big family, and Daniel had a lot of brothers. Almost all of them were married and had one or two children, unlike Daniel, who was still single.Duke had divorced a year ago and had recently tied the knot again. This time, it was with a woman named Daphne McKinley, who was already expecting a child.Amidst the bustling household of the large family, the atmosphere was genuinely lively. Sienna hadn't experienced the warmth of family or enjoyed home-cooked meals in quite some time.Every member of the family treated her with kindness and hospitality. The children were particularly fond of her and affectionately called her "Sisi". They we
"Dan's back?""Daniel, why were you so late today? Were you busy?""Daniel, would it be okay if Sienna stays at our place?""Is everything okay with you?"Daniel couldn't make out a single word amidst the noisy chatter of his family. He looked at Sienna with an intense gaze, feeling like he'd forgotten how to breathe, his heart racing.Mila leaned close to Nathan, her hand muffling her soft giggles as she whispered, "Nate, did you notice how Daniel's looking at her? It's obvious he's smitten."Nathan chuckled affectionately and caressed her head as he murmured, "Perhaps you should focus on my gaze instead of eyeing other guys.""Let's play matchmaker for them," Mila suggested."Let's leave them be. We'll see how things play out," Nathan replied."But—"Nathan gently held Mila's head, drawing her nearer as he whispered, "Forced relationships rarely end well. It seems your friend might not be as keen on him as you believe."Mila sighed with resignation, her tone tinged with bi
Sienna had just settled into her room when she heard a knock at the door. She opened it, expecting to see Mila, but was surprised to find Daniel standing there.Feeling anxious, she asked, "Do you need something?"Daniel's gaze was intense, but his tone was gentle. "My room is right next to yours. If you need anything, don't hesitate to come find me."Sienna couldn't imagine what she might need from him. She pursed her lips, feeling a bit helpless. Mila must've deliberately placed her guest room next to Daniel's; she was sure of that. Out of politeness, Sienna nodded and said, "Okay."Just as she was about to close the door, Daniel placed his hand on it, looking slightly nervous as he gazed at her."Anything else?" Sienna asked.Daniel slowly withdrew his hand. His Adam's apple bobbed as he spoke in a husky tone, "How… long will you be staying?"Sienna felt a twinge of sadness but responded casually, "You don't want me to stay here?"Daniel hurried to explain, "No, that's not
Sienna shook her head again. "No, thanks."Even though her tone was soft, she seemed distant.Daniel was the one who ended their relationship, so he had even less reason to talk to her.Despite knowing he shouldn't and knowing it wouldn't lead anywhere, he couldn't help but desperately want to be near her and be kind to her.Sensing the tension, Sienna changed the subject. "Where are your parents?""They took some of their grandkids to classes," Daniel answered promptly."Oh." Sienna smiled and politely nodded goodbye. "Then, I'll be off."With that, she turned and left.Daniel paced around the living room, feeling restless. Unable to resist, he hurried out of the house and caught up with Sienna.Sienna was strolling along the street before Morrison Residence when Daniel grabbed her arm and turned her toward him.She jumped and looked at Daniel in confusion. When she realized it was him, a wave of anxiety washed over her, and she asked, "What is it?""Ditching breakfast isn'