Chapter 34
Sienna‘s pov
This was completely different from last time.
I wasn’t sure whether Harrison Blackwood had ordered a redesign. In his eyes, I wasn’t worth the effort, and an off-the-rack designer dress was more than enough to deal with me.
“Mrs. Blackwood, let me help you change. Mr. Blackwood is already waiting downstairs.”
I let Martha Wilson fuss over me and asked, almost absentmindedly, “Where’s Elena Whitmore?”
“She left for the Price family. She’ll be here when the ball starts.”
This dress wasn’t as complicated as the last one, so I changed quickly. The fit was better too, and the neckline climbed high enough to cover the red marks along my collarbone.
I didn’t believe Harrison did that by accident.
Fine. At least no one would get to stare.
“Mrs. Blackwood, you look beautiful.”
Martha guided me out of the bedroom, and I caught myself looking at the Blackwood Estate as if I’d never truly seen it. I’d lived here for five years, long enough to know every turn, every shadow, every quiet reminder of who owned me.
The roses that used to blaze down the hallway were dull now. Without my care, they’d lost their color and would soon wither completely.
The wedding suite I’d designed myself when we got married had become a cage, and I’d once been proud of it, moved by my own devotion like it was proof of something real.
As I went downstairs, I gathered my skirt and kept a light hold on the handrail, moving step by step toward Harrison.
He stood in the living room with his back to me. He heard me, but he didn’t turn. He just walked toward the door.
“Hurry up.”
By the time his voice reached me, all I felt was cold, and it still managed to pull at something inside my chest.
Harrison walked fast. The distance between us widened, and I sped up without thinking.
“Wait!”
I forgot I was wearing a long dress. My heel caught the hem, and I pitched forward, praying I wouldn’t hit hard—or tear the dress.
Instead of the floor, I slammed into a familiar body.
Harrison caught me and lifted me into his arms, his mouth barely moving as if speaking to me cost him something. “Did you do that on purpose? Is it fun?”
‘Of course you’d think that.’
“Whatever you think.”
He’d never believe me anyway. In his mind, I would never measure up to Elena. I was nothing but a gold digger who played mind games and called it love.
“Sienna Price,” he said, voice low. “Some things shouldn’t need repeating.”
Then he tossed me into the back seat like I weighed nothing.
“Nora Everly won’t be at the ball tonight.”
Still a threat. Always a threat.
I didn’t argue, but I met his gaze. His eyes were the kind people used for garbage, and I only dared to curse him where he couldn’t hear.
It wasn’t until I was in the car that I realized Adrian was coming with us.
He glanced at me and immediately looked away. Harrison didn’t look at him either. He only told Marcus Barnes to drive.
The silence pressed in.
Then Adrian spoke. “Dad, why do I have to go to the ball too?”
Did Elena know he was coming?
Harrison’s voice softened, gentle in a way it never was with me. “There will be a lot of people there. I want to introduce you to everyone.”
My fingers clenched around my skirt.
So he was really doing it—introducing Adrian to all of New Haven. He wouldn’t divorce me, but he’d acknowledge an illegitimate child in public and let the scandal fall where it may.
Even if it cost him, he’d still protect Elena.
I still couldn’t understand why he refused to divorce me.
“So when will you marry Mom, Dad?”
Adrian rested his chin on the back of the front seat, his small hands patting at Harrison’s shoulder. “I want Mom to be with me.”
“Be good, Adrian.”
Harrison’s voice turned cold. Adrian pouted and sat back.
A petty thread of satisfaction slipped through me, and I hated myself for it.
But even Adrian couldn’t interfere with Harrison’s decisions. No wonder Elena kept coming after me. She didn’t dare push Harrison.
And somehow that made it worse.
The two of us were letting him play us like we didn’t have a choice. Between Elena and me, it would be her or me in the end, and Harrison would be the one who walked away untouched.
My eyes burned.
Then the car stopped at the hotel entrance. Harrison got out, came around, opened my door, and held out his hand.
I placed my hand in his like I’d been trained to do.
Outside, guests in formalwear stood in clusters under the lights. The moment Harrison appeared, every head turned. Some stared at him, some at me, and some at Adrian.
We walked into the hall under their gaze.
“I’ll take Adrian to find Elena. Don’t cause any trouble.”
It sounded less like advice and more like a warning.
I nodded.
As soon as Harrison disappeared into the crowd, I looked around, searching for Luna Reed. She would be here—she had her own business, her own circle.
But I was worried about her. After Alexander Grant took her away, I’d messaged her, and she hadn’t replied. Even when Luna was furious, she never ignored me.
So it had to be Alexander.
I circled the hall and still didn’t find her. Instead, I ran into Chloe Blackwood, with Elena Whitmore at her side.
“Sienna,” Elena said with a smile sweet enough to fool strangers. “What a coincidence.”
Chloe didn’t bother pretending. “Why are you being polite to her? Harrison loves you. If she had any sense, she would’ve given you her place a long time ago.”
Then Chloe turned on me, face darkening instantly. Five years, and her cruelty hadn’t softened once.
“Where’s Sophie? Why didn’t you bring her?”
I didn’t expect her to use that against me.
“This ball isn’t suitable for Sophie.”
Elena sighed, all helpless innocence, and shook her head at me. “Sienna, what are you saying? Harrison brought Adrian, so Sophie can certainly come. Why didn’t you ask Chloe before you left?”
“Don’t you know why he brought Adrian?” I shot back, letting the sarcasm show. “If you wanted Sophie to come, you should’ve told me in advance. Harrison prepared for Adrian but didn’t arrange anything for Sophie. You should’ve known that even he doesn’t agree with Sophie being here.”