Chapter 8
Sienna‘s pov
Emily bit her lip.
“Sienna, you’re furious, aren’t you? That’s why you pushed Adrian down the stairs on purpose.” Her voice turned gentler, almost pleading. “Look, I can give up everything and disappear forever, as long as you take good care of Adrian. I’m giving you this chance now. I’m stepping aside willingly.”
I couldn’t listen anymore, so I raised my hand and slapped her hard across the face.
“Don’t look at me like that.” My voice stayed flat. “Every second you’ve been in front of me, I’ve wanted to hit you.”
I didn’t even blink.
“Elena, do you really need to show off that you stole Harrison from me?” I stared straight at her. “You know exactly how Adrian fell.”
Elena covered her face, staring at me like she couldn’t believe I’d actually done it, tears spilling down her cheeks until she looked pitiful enough to fool anyone.
“I’m Adrian’s mother. How could I ever hurt him?” she choked out. “Sienna, if you’re upset, go ahead and hit me again.”
She grabbed my hand, trying to press it to her cheek.
I tensed, ready to swing again, but my slap never landed.
Harrison caught my wrist in midair, his grip so brutal it felt like he meant to crush the bones.
The pain in my wrist was nothing next to the ache in my chest.
“Sienna,” he said coldly, “don’t go too far.”
“I’m going too far?” I turned away from his icy stare. “You know me. I’m Sienna. I’m a shrew.”
I forced a laugh that didn’t sound like mine. “Elena insisted on coming to me, saying I could do whatever I wanted to her. I’m just doing what she asked.”
Harrison’s fingers were cold enough to chill me through.
“Go to the hospital and take care of Adrian,” he ordered. “When he’s discharged, you can bring him home. Until then, you’re not doing anything else.”
He was used to issuing commands that no one refused.
“Harrison, why?” I looked at him, hurt written all over my face, not caring that we weren’t at home. “Is that really how you see me—someone that heartless?”
“Isn’t it?” His voice was pure ice. “And as for this job, you’re not suited for it.”
Luna, who’d been standing nearby, finally snapped.
“Harrison, what do you mean she’s not suited for it?” Her voice cut like glass. “Don’t go too far. Don’t forget you’re not divorced yet.”
Harrison lifted his wrist and glanced at his watch, expressionless. “Ms. Reed, instead of worrying about other people, worry about your family’s business. Even your father wouldn’t dare speak to me like that.”
Then he didn’t spare me another look as he walked out of the film company.
Elena touched the side of her face where I’d slapped her and let her mask slip, just enough.
“Sienna,” she said, her tone sharp with provocation, “what’s the point of not getting a divorce? This is only the beginning.”
I looked at her coldly. “So what? Right now, you’re just a mistress.”
I stepped closer, keeping my voice low. “I suggest you behave yourself. Aren’t you afraid Harrison will see your true colors? He hates being deceived more than anything.”
Without Harrison around, Elena didn’t bother pretending. “Do you really think he’d believe you?”
She smiled, almost bored. “You don’t understand men. The unattainable is always the best. You already lost to me.”
Luna couldn’t take it anymore and moved in front of me, staring Elena down with open contempt.
“What are you bragging about?” Luna said. “Don’t take us for idiots. You’re scared Harrison won’t abandon Sienna completely, so you’re playing these cheap games.”
“No matter how much Harrison dislikes her, they’ve been married for five years. It could last five more.” Luna’s mouth curled. “Only a woman with nothing else clings to the past.”
Her gaze raked Elena from head to toe. “And for Sienna to even compete with you is beneath her.”
Luna grabbed my arm and hauled me out of the building.
When she saw how absent I was, her expression softened. “Are you really going to go take care of Elena’s kid?”
“If I don’t, it’ll give them more ammunition,” I said, my throat tight. “Luna, I need to support my mom. As long as I don’t expect Harrison’s love, being Mrs. Blackwood still has value.”
Luna looked at me like it hurt. “You…” She swallowed the rest. “Never mind. My own life’s a mess. Come on. I’ll take you there.”
At the hospital, Adrian was still unconscious, his forehead wrapped in white gauze.
I sat beside him and waited for him to wake up, but at some point I nodded off.
A scream ripped me awake.
When I opened my eyes, Adrian was standing on the bed, staring at me like an animal cornered.
“What’s wrong?” I pushed myself up fast. “Don’t stand like that. You hit your head. You might still be dizzy.”
I took a step toward him.
Adrian grabbed a cup and hurled it at my head.
Instinctively, I touched my scalp. My fingers came away wet, and when I looked down, my hand was smeared with blood.
“Ah!”
Adrian’s screams filled the room, raw and piercing. I didn’t dare get close, so I called for a doctor, but Elena and Harrison arrived before anyone else.
“Adrian, what’s wrong?” Elena rushed in and wrapped him in her arms, crying on cue. “Don’t be scared. Mommy’s here.”
She rocked him like she’d rehearsed it. “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have left you alone. We’ll never be apart again, okay?”
I stood there, silent, watching the performance.
Now I understood why Elena had gone to such lengths to teach Adrian to fall down the stairs.
She wanted a wedge between Harrison and me, and she wanted a reason to move into the estate.
It was blatant.
“Harrison,” Elena said, clutching Adrian tighter, “he’s been with me since he was little. He’s not used to a strange environment, and he just fell down the stairs.” Her voice trembled perfectly. “I can’t leave him alone with Sienna. Can I stay with you for a while? I promise I’ll leave once he’s stable.”
I couldn’t help laughing.
Harrison’s expression darkened, so I spoke calmly.
“Don’t look at me like that, Harrison. I’m just laughing at how you can’t see through a woman’s little tricks.” I held his gaze. “From the beginning, all I wanted was your money. Taking good care of Adrian gets me a good reputation and a lot of money. Why would I push him down the stairs?”
I kept my voice even. “Adrian gets hurt, and Elena immediately suggests moving in. It’s obvious who benefits the most.”
Elena clung to Adrian, looking at Harrison with wounded indignation. “Harrison, are you really going to doubt me because of Sienna’s words? Adrian is my child. I would never do anything to hurt him.”
Her voice softened again. “I don’t care who actually pushed him. I just want to take care of him for a few more days.”
“Move in tonight,” Harrison said. “Bring your luggage.”
His handsome face didn’t change, like he was commenting on the weather.
In three days, Elena could move into the home Harrison and I shared.
Even if I didn’t love him, I couldn’t swallow that humiliation.
And the truth was, I did love him.
“Harrison,” I said, my voice breaking anyway, “you said you wouldn’t let her move in.”
That was our home.
The one I decorated with my own hands.
I closed my eyes, ashamed of how much it still hurt.