Chapter 49
Sienna's pov
I tighten my grip on Luna’s hand as she fumes beside my hospital bed.
“Don’t mention it. I wanted to come see you, and he shut me down right away. If I’d known he and Harrison were so tight, I…”
Her face is flushed with anger, but her eyes look defeated.
Would it have made any difference if she’d known? Could Luna have avoided falling for Alexander?
Her fingers are even colder than mine.
“Don’t let anyone treat you badly,” I tell her. “That’s what you always tell me.”
Looking at us now, our fates feel painfully similar.
Alexander uses Luna’s feelings to keep her in line, just like Harrison does to me.
“You’re overthinking it.” Luna snaps a smile into place. “When have I ever let myself be mistreated? He didn’t want me to come see you, but here I am, aren’t I?”
I don’t ask what it cost her to get here.
“But why did he stop you? Are you still living at his place?”
My phone chimes.
A message from Julian Vane.
What a coincidence.
“He won’t let me leave, but I’ve already thought of a way…” Luna starts, then leans closer. “What’s wrong? You look awful.”
“Nothing,” I say, voice turning hard. “Just a message from a business partner.”
“Julian?” She sees the name and blurts, “Sienna, you—”
“Shh.” I lift a finger. “Keep your voice down.”
My pulse kicks as I glance at the door.
If Harrison finds out I’m dealing with Julian on anything deeper than surface-level, I’m done.
“Harrison could show up any minute,” I say. “Let’s keep it down.”
Luna flicks a look at the door and spits, “Why does he have people watching you? You’re only married to him legally, not his slave. Why is he always keeping tabs on you?”
“I don’t know,” I say. “And I don’t want to know.”
“Julian is Harrison’s rival,” I admit. “So I need to work with him.”
Luna’s mouth falls open.
“Julian’s dangerous,” she says, low and urgent. “If Harrison treats him like a real rival, then he’s not simple. Aren’t you scared you’re choosing the wrong person?”
She doesn’t wait for my answer. “No. You can’t work with him. What if he uses you as a bargaining chip and sells you out to Harrison—”
“Could it get any worse than it is now?” The laugh that slips out tastes bitter. “My mom already killed herself at the Blackwood Estate. If I’d gotten closer to Julian sooner, even if he used me, at least my mom wouldn’t have died.”
The words land heavy between us.
Luna’s expression tightens. “You… fine. If you need help, you come to me. Don’t keep it all to yourself again.”
She exhales, then gives a self-deprecating smile. “Julian’s too complicated. I really don’t want you getting too close to him. Remember how overly nice he was when you first met? I was afraid you’d fall for him.”
“I won’t.” A small laugh escapes me, and it comes out sad. “I haven’t even sorted out my current feelings. How could I start something new?”
How much longer am I going to be tangled up with Harrison?
Ten months. That’s the promise I’m living on.
“By the way,” I say, forcing the words out, “I forgot to tell you. I’m pregnant. It’s Harrison’s.”
The color drains from Luna’s face.
Just like me, her first reaction isn’t joy. It’s shock.
Her voice drops. “Are you sure it’s not a false alarm this time?”
“Harrison told me himself,” I say. “So it should be true.”
He hated my last “false pregnancy” so much he must’ve made sure, again and again, over the past three days.
“Do you want to keep the baby?”
I look away. My throat tightens.
Harrison doesn’t love me. This child would be born into that truth.
And once I leave, the child will call Elena “Mom.” Would Elena treat my child well?
Not a chance.
I scoff and shake my head. “Whatever. If Harrison wants me to have it, I’ll have it.”
“He’s insane.” Luna’s anger spills out. “Doesn’t he already have a son? Why doesn’t he have that bitch Elena give him more kids? And wasn’t he the one who didn’t want you pregnant before? What’s wrong with him now?”
When Luna is truly furious, nothing can stop her.
And then the door opens.
“Quite the commotion.”
Harrison stands there.
Alexander follows him in, and the two of them wear the same blank, controlled expression.
“Luna!” I shove myself up too fast, reaching for her, but the IV needle shifts under my skin and pain flashes bright. I freeze.
“No one can stop me today!” Luna surges forward, swinging at Harrison, and she drives in with her feet too.
She has some combat training, and she actually lands a hit.
“You must have a death wish.” Harrison’s voice is low, dangerous.
He doesn’t hit women, but that doesn’t mean he’ll keep taking it.
I can’t move. “Luna, stop! Just go back—please.”
“Don’t try to stop me!”
Harrison’s face darkens.
I swing my gaze to Alexander.
He watches them with a furrowed brow, fists clenched, like he’s one second from stepping in.
So he does feel something for her.
But his deceit is undeniable.
If I tell him to stop Luna, she’ll blame me.
I don’t have a choice.
“Alexander!” I shout. “Pull them apart! Do you even care about Luna?”
I’m praying he’ll end it before Harrison does.
‘I’m sorry.’
I squeeze my eyes shut, and the next moment a man grunts.
Luna’s fist slams into Alexander’s shoulder.
His jaw tightens with pain, and Luna’s hand curls like it hurts her too.
“Fuck off!” she spits.
She steps back, and Alexander grits his teeth, then drags her out of the room.
“Alexander, you ruined everything!” her voice echoes as they go.
The room falls silent.
I finally exhale.
Luna couldn’t bring herself to truly hurt him after all.
“Are you satisfied now?” Harrison’s voice cuts through the quiet.
I keep my head down, staring at the black leather shoes in front of me. “Are you satisfied?”
The next second, his fingers hook under my chin and lift my face.
I see impatience in his eyes, like he’s already decided I orchestrated everything.
“Everything she did for you will come at a price,” he says. “Sienna, it seems being your friend is truly unfortunate.”
My chest aches. I snap back, “That’s because of your good friend Alexander. Luna hitting you is what you deserve.”
Harrison’s eyes darken further.
“It’s your lack of self-respect that drags down everyone around you.”
Something inside me rips.
“Harrison, will it kill you to speak nicely?” My voice shakes. “You always know where to press.”
“You think my five years of loving you unconditionally is me having no self-respect, don’t you?”
I swallow hard.
“Was it wrong for me to love you?” I taste salt. “How can you say that to me?”