Chapter 33
Sienna gently ruffled Vivian’s hair and said softly, “Just walking around. Go back to sleep.” She knew Vivian needed some company, so she had been staying with her at night all these days.
Restless and wide awake, Vivian stood with worried eyes, murmuring, “Sienna, those ten years abroad, were you really okay?”
Memories flashed through Sienna’s mind—some bloody, some dangerous, and also some warm and happy ones. But that was all in the past now. She paused, and then replied, “My adoptive parents were good to me. I had everything I needed.”
A smile spread across Vivian’s face as she hugged Sienna’s arm. She snuggled closer. “That’s good to hear,” she murmured, relieved her sister hadn’t
suffered.
“Vivian,” Sienna asked, “do you still have feelings for Mason?” She had dug into their past and knew how Vivian had been crazy about Mason, sticking by him even when he treated her bad.
Vivian froze, unsure how to answer. She thought, ‘Do I still have feelings for him?‘
Saying no would be a lie. In the beginning, Mason had been attentive and caring. When Vivian was thrown out at eighteen, Mason’s money saved her life.
All those years, Aiden hadn’t given Vivian a single cent. She had survived on part–time jobs. Then she ran into Mason again during her senior year internship.
Back then, Vivian’s manager had been giving her a hard time, until Mason stepped in to help. After that, Mason started pursuing Vivian, making her ginger tea when she had cramps, telling her stories to cheer her up.
Their early days together had been so sweet. Then Chloe came along, and everything changed. Mason started to blame Vivian for being too needy and
too sensitive.
Vivian had loved him because he had been one of the few bright spots in her otherwise cold world. Looking back now, Vivian understood how desperately she had clung to that fragile warmth.
After Sienna left, the chill had settled deep in her bones. She had been starving for even the smallest kindness.
But Mason chose Chloe again and again. The final blow came that night at the bar when Mason forced Vivian to her knees.
Only then did Vivian realize that brightness she had clung to had dimmed long ago. Now with her true sun returned, that faint glimmer held no meaning
for her anymore.
Vivian sat there, quiet, trying to figure out what to say. Sienna didn’t push. She just stayed beside her, calm, letting the silence stretch while Vivian sorted through it.
Finally, Vivian sighed. “Sienna, I liked him once. But not anymore.”
Sienna gently squeezed her cheek. “Don’t worry. You’ll find someone worthy of you.”
Vivian leaned into Sienna like a purring cat. “Don’t need anyone else,” she murmured. “Just you.” A faint smile touched Sienna’s lips.
The next morning, Vivian headed off to work like always. Meanwhile, Sienna lounged on the couch with her coffee and a book, killing time until her guest
arrived.
It wasn’t long before a girl popped up at the Harts‘ door, ponytails bouncing, pink backpack hanging loose, lollipop stick poking from her lips.
Spotting Lana, she practically launched herself at the woman, face–first into her chest. “Lana,” she drawled, nuzzling closer. “Missed you tons. You still smell like vanilla cupcakes.”
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Chapter 33
Not even blinking, Lana hauled her back by the scruff. “Save the drama for Miss Enna.”
Reno puffed out her cheeks in protest before marching inside. The moment she caught sight of Sienna in the living room, all that playfulness evaporated. Spine straightening like a soldier at inspection, she hastily wrapped her lollipop in a tissue and tossed it to Lana.
“Miss Enna,” she greeted, her usual cheeky smile wiped clean, replaced by military–grade seriousness.
Sienna slowly closed her book, her frosty stare pinning Reno in place. That single raised eyebrow had Reno stiffening.
“Long way from Meridia,” Sienna remarked, her voice cool. “That’s no easy journey.”
“Wasn’t a problem, Miss Enna. I’m with you all the way.”
Sienna rose to her full height, towering over Reno like an adult over a kid. “We’re going to the company.” Then she said to Lana, “Lana, you’ve got your own plate to handle.”
“Yes, Miss Enna.” Lana gave a crisp nod.
Reno stuck her tongue out at Lana, earning a sharp, quick warning-“Don’t push your luck.”
But Reno just brushed it off. “Come on, Lana. You smell too good. I’m coming over tonight.”
Lana looked the other way, paying her no mind. Reno flashed one last sweet smile, and then skipped off after Sienna.
Linda had been locked in that room all night without food and water. Every time she tried to sleep, a shrill noise would blast through. Rats and centipedes scurried across the floor, and the temperature kept shifting, chilly one minute, stuffy and warm the next.
Worn out body and soul, she spent the night terrified. Now she didn’t even have the strength to cry or scream, just slapping weakly at the door and croaking, “Let me out.”
At noon, Vivian returned home. As she walked past that room, she caught the faint, half–dead voice. Curious what was going on, she reached for the door. At that very moment, the butler came hurrying over and stopped her.
“Miss Vivian,” the butler said, “Miss Sienna has given strict orders. No one can let Ms. Lambert out without her permission.”
Vivian froze and then asked in confusion, “The one locked in there is Linda?”
The butler nodded. Shock crossed Vivian’s face. Then a deep satisfaction settled in. That same room had been her prison countless times. But now, the
tables had turned.
“Sienna’s right,” she said. “Don’t let her out. Let her starve for two days first, then toss her some scraps.” That was exactly how Linda had grounded down her pride and spirit back then.
Hearing that, Linda started slamming her fists against the door. “Vivian, you bitch. How dare you treat me like this? Just wait till my daughter gets back. She’ll make you regret it.”
Vivian had almost forgotten Linda’s precious daughter. But she wasn’t that cowardly girl anymore and sure as hell wasn’t taking this lying down.
Making up her mind, she turned to the butler, sneering, “Still got so much fight in her? Make it three days without food, then.”
Linda was shocked and furious. “You can’t do this to me. I’m your stepmother! You rotten little bitch,”
A cold glint flashed in Vivian’s eyes. “Linda, don’t play dumb. You did the same to me before.”
Linda choked on her words. When she first married into the Hart family, she had invented every excuse to lock Vivian in this very room, leaving her to starve for days. Never in a million years had she thought the tables would turn like this.
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At Hart Corporation, Aiden dropped a bombshell. He said he was stepping down as CEO, and his daughter would take over.
The news left everyone stunned. They all knew his ex–wife’s daughter had been kicked out of the family ages ago.
These days, the only one he doted on was his current wife’s little princess. They started wondering if his smart stepdaughter would be the new boss.
But then someone plucked up the courage and asked, “Mr. Hart, which daughter are you talking about?”
“My eldest daughter, Sienna Hart,” Aiden announced, dead serious.
