Chapter 70
Sienna's pov
I was far from okay, but the last thing I wanted was for Agnes to worry about me.
She lay propped against stiff white pillows, her face stern and unreadable, and when she finally lifted her gaze to meet mine, her eyes held too many emotions at once. The look pinned me in place, sharp enough that my body wanted to retreat.
But I didn’t. I held my ground and kept the smile on my face.
At least I wouldn’t have to set foot in those two places again, the ones steeped in painful memories, and I wouldn’t have to live with the constant fear of being threatened.
“You’ve never once given us a reason to worry, not even as a child,” Agnes said. “But Sienna, you’re proud, and I know better than anyone what Elena ’s actions must mean to you.”
My smile faded, and relief slipped in where the tension had been.
“I stopped caring about any of that a long time ago,” I said. “Right now, I just want you to get better, and then…” I let my hand rest on my belly. “I’ll have the baby and get out of New Haven for a while.”
Agnes gave a small nod. “That’s probably for the best. Nora is gone, and Harrison Blackwood cheated on you. You don’t have real ties keeping you here anymore.”
“Grandma, come with me when I go.” I reached for her hand and held it tightly. “We’ll leave all of this behind. No one will get to hurt you again.”
Agnes smiled softly and tapped my forehead. “You don’t need to carry me, child. I’m old, not helpless.”
Then her gaze drifted past my shoulder. “Julian Vane, when did you get back to the country?”
I froze. Agnes knew Julian?
“Two months ago,” he replied. “I didn’t expect you to recognize me.”
“I’ve known you went abroad for years,” Agnes said, studying him with calm precision. “With Vanya Vane here, it isn’t hard to put the pieces together.”
Her tone turned cool. “Sienna isn’t legally divorced yet, Julian. Are you pursuing her?”
My face heated. “Grandma, no. Julian and I aren’t—”
I stopped. I couldn’t reveal what Julian and I had arranged, not here.
Julian’s mouth curved, faintly amused. “Even if I did have those intentions, it would still depend on whether Miss Price is willing,” he said. “And so far, I haven’t had much success.”
“You!” The word snapped out.
I wanted to fix the picture, but explaining would only make it look worse, so I stayed silent.
Agnes gave an unimpressed hum. “There’s no need to rush. Harrison cheated first. Once Sienna’s divorce is final, then you can pursue her.”
I rubbed my forehead. “Grandma, we’re just friends. Nothing more.”
“Don’t interrupt me.” Agnes’s gaze returned to Julian, steady and hard. “If you ever treat her badly, you’ll answer for it.”
My stomach tightened. The warning carried too much weight for a future I hadn’t chosen.
I was about to pull Julian out of the room, but his expression shifted. The teasing edge vanished.
“Don’t worry,” he said, voice firm. “I will take care of Sienna. As long as she’s with me, I won’t let her suffer another moment of hardship.”
Agnes seemed satisfied. She lifted her hand. “You three step out. I want to speak with Sienna alone.”
Luna guided them out, and the door clicked shut behind them. I hesitated, the question about the bills stuck in my throat, but Agnes spoke first.
“Sienna,” she asked quietly, “how long has this been going on with Elena?”
“She moved into the Blackwood Estate a little over two months ago,” I said. “But honestly, I don’t care about that anymore.”
Agnes shook her head slowly. “Harrison has already betrayed you. No matter the circumstances, don’t you dare compromise.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I’ve pieced together most of what happened with Nora. And if I ever become a burden to you, I’d rather not go on living.”
“Grandma.” Panic hit. “No. Don’t ever say that. You could never be a burden to me.”
A thought flashed—had Nora felt the same way before she—
I cut it off.
Agnes’s voice stayed steady. “I know exactly what situation I’m in. Victor Price wants me out of the picture, and he’s using the medical bills to wear me down. None of this should fall on your shoulders.”
I leaned closer, tightening my grip on her hand. “Please don’t worry. I’ve figured out a way. You’re going to get better. I promise.”
Agnes didn’t push further. I noticed the IV drip was nearly empty, stepped out, and called for the nurse.
While the room turned briefly busy with small movements and quiet instructions, I slipped into the hallway. Luna and Vanya were still there.
“My brother stepped out to take care of the bills,” Vanya said, giving my shoulder a light pat. “From here on out, just focus on Mrs. Price.”
Then she leaned in, lowering her voice. “A few days ago, Julian started targeting the European Blackwood interests. Harrison should be too busy to bother you. Do what you need to do. I’ll help.”
She meant the divorce.
I felt no tenderness at the thought of leaving Harrison, only certainty. If I used the Vane family to strike back, it was payback for how he protected Elena at my expense.
“Thank you,” I said. I had to accept Julian’s help.
Vanya had already gathered the evidence.
So instead of going through the standard divorce process, I went straight to court. I filed a lawsuit against Harrison for infidelity and demanded a legally forced divorce. The evidence reached the right hands because Julian worked behind the scenes.
In the meantime, I ended up staying at Vanya’s place temporarily.
Luna didn’t try to convince me to stay with her. She admitted things with Alexander were messy, and she didn’t want any of it spilling over onto me. But she promised that the second she heard anything about Harrison, she’d tell me.
Just as he’d done when arranging care for Nora, Julian brought in specialists and hired a dedicated caregiver to look after Agnes, which left me with too much time to think.
Three days passed after I filed the lawsuit. Harrison would’ve seen it by now.
Then my phone rang. It wasn’t Harrison. It was his assistant, Marcus.
I answered. “Mrs. Blackwood,” Marcus said, imperious, “you need to withdraw the lawsuit immediately.”
“Tell Harrison to speak to me himself,” I said.
“Mr. Blackwood is occupied with more important matters,” Marcus replied.
I scoffed. “Of course. Other things are always more important.” I steadied my voice. “Fine. Then we have nothing to discuss. Tell him to prepare for the divorce.”
I ended the call.
I was the one who filed the lawsuit, and yet Harrison still had the audacity to demand that I be the one to back down.