C08
Sienna’s POV
“When he decided to marry into the Fowler family, I was thrilled. But I underestimated how his shamelessness and recklessness caused you to suffer. If I’d known he would betray you, I never would’ve supported the Madı family in the first place.”
Hearing these heartfelt words from Howard, my usually aloof and sharp–tongued boss, was jarring. It felt almost surreal.
But the more sincere he became, the more I doubted if I was worthy of the immense love he seemed to offer.
Yet Howard’s voice was resolute as he said, “Anyway, back to our topic, I couldn’t think of any way to repay a life–saving debt except by giving myself to you.”
Call it cliché, but it made my heart, long thought dead, beat again. Especially when I caught his gaze–it was filled entirely with me.
Who wouldn’t be moved by a man like him? Handsome, wealthy, and deeply caring.
Even as we walked out of the county clerk’s office with our marriage license, I still felt like I was dreaming “Can you please pinch me?” I asked, laughing nervously. “This doesn’t feel real
Howard chuckled and gently ruffled my hair. “From now on, as long as I’m here, all your dreams will be sweet
ones.”
Afterward, we returned to his home hand in hand, a place he’d insisted was temporary while my own was “under
renovation,”
When I tried to press him on the details, he quickly changed the subject.
“You don’t need to worry about the wedding,” he said. “I’ll make sure the news doesn’t reach Lance. No need to give him a reason to cause trouble.”
It was ironic–just a short while ago, Lance had been worried about me ruining his engagement party. Now Howard was worried about him ruining our wedding.
I had no objections to that plan, though.
To celebrate getting our marriage license, Howard prepared a candlelit dinner.
The flickering light cast shadows on his strikingly handsome face, and I couldn’t help but blush.
After a few glasses of wine, the mood was light and perfect–until a text popped up on my phone.
It was from an unfamiliar number, but the tone was unmistakable.
[Sienna, I miss you. I was wrong earlier. Please let me in.]
[I got you a gift–you’ll love it. I promise to make it worth your while tonight.]
I clenched my fists upon reading the texts. Over the years, Lance had given me countless “gifts,” almost all of them cheap, selfish tokens meant only for his gratification.
Now, he was on the verge of marrying Maía, yet he still wanted to use me for his own pleasure.
The thought made me sick. How had I ever loved such a selfish, vile man?
Just then, I felt my stomach churned and bolted to the bathroom. Howard followed quickly and held me steady as I emptied the wine from my system.
Once I was done, a strange combination of clarity and boldness took over me. Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was something else.
Howard carried me to the bedroom, and I tugged at his tie, pulling him closer.
“Howard,” I whispered, my cheeks warm. “We’re gonna be married in a few days-”
I didn’t get to finish my sentence before he captured my lips with his.
Just as things were heating up, his phone rang, interrupting the moment.
Frustrated, I grabbed it to silence the call, only to see Lance’s name on the screen.
I was ready to hang up, but Howard, ever mischievous, made me fumble the phone, causing the call to be
connected.
“Uncle! Is Sienna with you?” Lance’s voice was loud and agitated.
Without missing a beat, Howard kept his attention on me, muttering two words into the phone: “Get lost.”
Being captivated by Howard’s lips, a soft sound escaped my lips, and it clearly reached the other end of the line.
As such, Lance exploded. “Howard! That’s not Sienna, is it? What are you two doing?!”
We were adults. Did he really need an explanation?
But Lance didn’t know when to stop.
Minutes later, the doorbell rang incessantly, followed by loud banging on the door.
“Howard! Get out here!”
“Sienna, I know you’re in there! If you come out now, I’ll forgive you for betraying me!”
His shouting was relentless. But we were too busy to care.
I assumed Lance would give up and leave eventually.
But as dawn broke and Howard carried me past the window, I glanced out through the curtains–and there he was, still standing outside.
