Chapter 163

Chapter 163
Sienna's POV

I curled up in the corner of our oversized sectional sofa with my laptop balanced on my knees. It had been two days since the hospital visit with my mother, two days of Hayes refusing to let me return to work, insisting I needed time to process everything. Buddy's familiar weight pressed against my feet, his steady breathing creating a peaceful rhythm that had become my anchor through the lingering emotional aftershocks.

I'd been scrolling through work emails for over an hour, trying to handle the messages that had accumulated during my absence, when Hayes emerged from the kitchen carrying a steaming mug of coffee and a beautifully plated omelet.

"You've been staring at that screen too long," he observed, setting the coffee within my reach before settling beside me on the sofa. His hair was still slightly damp from his morning shower, and he wore a simple gray henley that emphasized the breadth of his shoulders.

"Just trying to get organized," I murmured, accepting the fork he offered me and taking a bite of the omelet. The combination of cheese, spinach, and perfectly seasoned eggs made me realize how hungry I actually was. "By the way, this is incredible."

Hayes settled back against the cushions, his arm naturally draping across the back of the sofa behind me. "Mom sent a message," he said casually, though I caught the slight shift in his tone that suggested this wasn't entirely casual conversation. "She's asking if we can come back to the estate today."

My fingers froze over the keyboard, and I looked up at him with confusion. "Did something happen?"

He smiled. "Don't worry, just for Christmas."

"Can't we celebrate on our own?" I said.

He raised an eyebrow, that familiar expression that meant he was gauging my reaction carefully. "What, don't want to go?"

I shook my head quickly, perhaps too quickly. "No, it's not that. It's just..." I bit down on my lower lip, a nervous habit I'd never quite managed to shake. "I'm worried I might not... perform well."

Hayes let out a soft laugh, the sound rich with affection as he reached over to pinch my cheek gently. "Baby, when you went there last time, Mom was already treating you like her own daughter. And Ava's been posting about 'my sister-in-law's designs' on social media practically every day since. What exactly are you nervous about?"

I set my laptop aside and turned to face him more fully, drawing my knees up toward my chest. "But this time it's Christmas," I said quietly. "It feels different. More... significant."

Hayes's expression grew more serious as he reached for my hands, his thumbs tracing gentle circles across my knuckles. "So we'll go back early. You can help Mom with the preparations, get settled in. And besides—" He paused, his eyes growing soft in that way that never failed to make my heart skip. "That place is your home too."

The sincerity in his voice made my chest tighten with emotion. My heart rate quickened as I processed what he was offering—not just an invitation, but a declaration of belonging. "Okay," I whispered.

Hayes was already reaching for his phone, his movements decisive now that I'd agreed. "Mom? We're coming back tonight... Yes, Sienna said she wants to help you prepare the Christmas decorations early... Dinner? Seven o'clock works fine, we can be there by six-thirty... Perfect."

As he ended the call, I felt a flutter of anticipation mixed with lingering nervousness.

---

By five o'clock that afternoon, I stood in our walk-in closet feeling completely overwhelmed by the array of clothing options spread across our bed. Dresses, blouses, and coordinated sets created a colorful chaos that seemed to mock my indecision. Hayes leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed, watching my fashion crisis with obvious amusement.

"This one's too casual, isn't it?" I held up a rust-colored knit dress that I'd already tried on and discarded twice.

"It looks great. Shows off your legs," Hayes replied with a grin that suggested he was enjoying this far more than he should.

I set the dress aside and picked up a deep navy silk blouse paired with cashmere trousers. "What about this? Too formal?"

Hayes pushed off from the doorframe and walked over to me, his arms sliding around my waist from behind as his chin came to rest on my shoulder. "Mrs. Sterling," he murmured, his breath warm against my ear, "you're going to see family, not attend a state dinner."

I turned in his arms, my face warming at the way he said 'Mrs. Sterling' like it was something precious. "I just want to make a good impression on them."

Hayes lowered his head to press a soft kiss to my forehead. "You're already her favorite daughter-in-law. And besides—" His grin turned mischievous. "She'd probably be thrilled if you showed up in pajamas. Anything that makes it obvious we're close."

"Hayes!" I protested.

He laughed, the sound filling our bedroom with warmth. Finally, he reached past me to select a cream-colored cashmere turtleneck and smoke-gray wide-leg trousers. "This one. Soft and elegant. Mom will love it."

I studied myself in the full-length mirror, turning slightly to see the outfit from different angles. After a moment of consideration, I nodded. "Okay. This one it is."

Before leaving, Hayes made sure Buddy was settled comfortably in the back seat of the car, his tail wagging with excitement at the prospect of a car ride. "Someone's excited about this trip," I observed, reaching back to scratch behind his ears as he panted contentedly.

"He loves the estate," Hayes explained, adjusting the rearview mirror to keep an eye on our four-legged companion. "More space to run around, and Mom always spoils him with treats."

Buddy seemed to understand we were talking about him, letting out a soft bark of agreement that made us both laugh.

The drive to the Sterling estate took us through increasingly affluent neighborhoods as we made our way toward Platinum Cliffs. Hayes kept one hand on the steering wheel while the other rested over mine, his thumb occasionally stroking across my knuckles in a gesture that had become as natural as breathing. Soft Christmas music played through the car's sound system, creating a peaceful atmosphere despite my lingering nerves.

I found myself staring out the passenger window, watching the streetlights flicker on as dusk settled over the city. "Still nervous?" Hayes asked, glancing over at me.

I let out a small laugh. "A little. Last time was because of your father's situation. This time it's... a real family gathering."

"They've already accepted you," Hayes said firmly, his grip on my hand tightening slightly. "Especially Mom and Ava. You've felt their warmth."

"They really have been wonderful," I admitted, thinking of Ophelia's genuine kindness and Ava's infectious enthusiasm.

We came to a stop at a red light, and Hayes turned to look at me fully. "Sienna, you're my wife. You're part of the Sterling family. You don't need to 'perform' anything. Just be yourself. Understood?"

I nodded, feeling some of the tension leave my shoulders. "Understood."

"Good." The light turned green, and Hayes squeezed my hand once more before returning his attention to the road. "Just relax."

As we continued toward the estate, I felt my anxiety gradually being replaced by anticipation. Hayes was right—his family had already shown me nothing but acceptance and warmth. Tonight would be about celebrating that belonging, not earning it.