Chapter 89 - SHE REMAINS MINE

AIDEN.

After a year…

I sat on the porch, letting my gaze wander over the garden in front of our house. It was a clear day, just like a year ago, when my life changed forever. I remembered that moment perfectly. I was behind the wheel of my car, rushing, angry after my last talk with Sienna, when suddenly everything turned into a chaos of twisted metal and the sound of breaking glass. The impact was devastating. I woke up in hospital, unable to move, in excruciating pain and with a crippling fear that I would never be the same.

Sienna was always there, waiting patiently by my bedside. I could still clearly remember the look of concern and sadness in her eyes. It was the first face I saw when I regained consciousness. She spoke to me calmly, trying to comfort me and give me reassurance, though I knew she was terrified too. At first, I was skeptical of her true intentions. We had married under that damn contract, an arrangement beneficial to both of us, but lacking the love and warmth of a genuine marriage. I wondered if now, when I was a wounded and vulnerable man, she would have any moral obligation to stay by my side.

As the days passed, Sienna proved to me that her care was real. I never saw a moment’s hesitation in her eyes. Every morning, she woke up early to make sure I had breakfast ready and my medication on hand. She would change my bandages with surprising gentleness, careful not to cause me pain. At night, she’d lie beside me, talking to me about everything and soothing me to help me fall asleep.

It wasn’t just the physical care that impressed me. Sienna was there for me emotionally, too, supporting me in my darkest moments of despair and depression. When I felt overwhelmed by the thought that my life would never be the same, she was there to remind me of my inner strength, to tell me I was not alone in my struggle. It was a time of growth and healing for us both.

It took me a while to figure out that this woman was doing more than she had to. She truly loved me, with every gesture, every word of encouragement. Her love taught me that true love wasn’t about extravagant gestures, but about the everyday acts of devotion and selflessness.

Now, sitting here contemplating the past year, I realized I was an idiot to think that our contractual arrangement was all that bound us together. I was afraid to admit how much I cared for her, how much I loved her. But the truth was, through my suffering, I discovered the greatest blessing of my life: her love. Without her, I could not have made it through this ordeal.

Our contract was about to expire. Theoretically, I was free to let her go, to live her life as she wished. But how could I do that? How could I let her go now that I realized how much she meant to me? It was no longer a convenient arrangement, but a deep and genuine connection. I knew I had to talk to her, to tell her how I really felt, to ask her to stay, not because she had to, but because I loved her just as much.

I took a deep breath and stood up, determined to talk to her. Regardless of her response, I had to tell her how grateful I was for everything she had done for me, and more importantly, how much I loved her. I was prepared to risk everything to keep the woman who had taught me what true love meant.

But first I had another thing to resolve, and quickly.

I arrived at the huge company building, my heart pounding madly in my chest. Looking up at the imposing facade, I took a deep breath, trying to find my courage. As I adjusted my tie and smoothed my shirt, I felt time slowed down, and the moment stretched into a tense eternity.

Finally, I entered the building, greeted by the smiling receptionist, who led me to my office, past the familiar corridors and doors marked with the company name. My breathing slowed, and I had a moment of hesitation, but quickly pulled myself together, pushing myself forward.

And there, in my office, he was already waiting for me. Sienna’s father. Despite the year that had passed, he had aged little. He had the same stern, yet warm look in his eyes, and a self-confidence that never seemed to waver. His gaze swept over me the moment I walked in, and I felt my nerves clench in my stomach.

“Hello, Aiden,” he said, smiling weakly as he greeted me. “You wanted to see me? Your secretary led me here, so…”

I responded with a shy greeting, trying to keep my composure and hide my hesitation from him. But I couldn’t help but think about everything that was at stake now, everything I was going to say and do in the next few moments.

“It’s fine, don’t worry. I asked her to do it. I’m glad you agreed to meet me,” I began. “There is something important I need to tell you.”

James Moore stared at me, his eyes searching me intently. He had an air of understanding, but also expectation, as if he already knew what I was going to tell him, but wanted to hear the words out of my mouth.

“The company... that’s what this is about,” I continued, trying to find my words. “The company you ran in the past. I got it out of debt, but you already know that. It’s now... in my hands.”

His face looked amazed and a little uneasy. In his eyes, I could read so many questions.

I could feel thoughts racing through my mind also and emotions overwhelming me. It was weird feeling scared, uneasy, yet relieved to be finally free from this burden. But underneath all these feelings, there was a dull ache, a bitter regret that filled my heart.

“I can’t take that from you,” I said. “I know that... that you may not want it back, but... it’s not right that it should stay mine. It’s wrong.”

Sienna’s father looked at me silently, and in his eyes, I saw deep understanding. It was as if he felt the same pain I was feeling at that moment.

“Aiden,” he began, his voice calm and steady. “I understand why you feel this way. But... you also have to understand that you can’t carry all this weight on your shoulders. You’ve done an amazing job, and you’re stronger than you think. The company... is yours now. By contract. And there’s nothing wrong with that.”

I felt a tightening in my throat, and my eyes filled with tears that I tried desperately to hide. I didn’t want to cry now, in front of him, but it was so hard to control my emotions.

“Mr. Moore,” I whispered. “I can’t... Thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me and Sienna. I have no words to express my gratitude...”

He stood up and walked over to me, placing a warm hand on my shoulder. In that simple touch, I felt a comforting warmth that filled my soul.

“Aiden,” he said with a sincerity that touched my heart. “You’re like a son to me. And whatever we can do for each other, it will never be enough. But know that I’m proud of you. And no matter what the future brings, I know you’ll always do what’s best.”

I tried to smile, even through tears, and thank him, but the words stuck in my throat. Instead, I hugged him tightly, feeling my heart filled with gratitude and love for this man who became like a second father to me.

I decided not to hold him accountable for a past mistake if I wanted my future to be what I wanted it to be. I loved this man’s daughter and nothing would stop me from having a life with her. Not even the death of my mother, who still, in her gentleness, would have wanted me to put resentment aside and forgive and love.

I did things I wasn’t proud of, but I was trying to redeem myself. Before the accident, I was hard on Sienna. Even mocking her. The accident opened my eyes. Immediately after my recovery, every month, I wrote a check for $5,000 and anonymously sent it to Sienna. She never knew I was behind it. Now Siena’s mother was well and recovered.

A timid knock on the door made me turn around.

“Sienna, my love, you’re here!” I said happily, holding out a hand and helping her to sit down.

“Dad?” She was surprised to see her father already in the office and with a big smile on his face.

“There’s just one more thing I need to do, Mr. Moore!” I said decisively and looked at Sienna, who was still confused.

So was James. “I have therefore decided to return the company to the hands of the rightful owner, but it is something I cannot return to you,” I continued.

“I don’t understand, Aiden,” James said.

In one motion, I pulled out of the desk drawer the contract that Sienna and I signed a year ago.

Sienna’s face froze into a forced smile.

“The company belongs to you, but your daughter remains mine!”

And just like that, I tore up the contract annulling it.