Chapter 4

Ingrid nudged Sienna toward Connor. She gazed at them like a masterpiece on display in a gallery. "Look at that. What a perfect pair!" she declared. Sienna was already leaning against Connor's chest. "Mom, come on. Sienna's engaged," Connor said, though the way he leaned into her gave him away. Sienna stifled a shy laugh, keeping quiet. Seeing the three of them so happy together, I couldn't bring myself to stay any longer. "Connor, I'm feeling pretty beat. You should hang back here with Sienna and Ingrid," I said. Caught up in Sienna's charm, Connor barely looked my way. He simply grunted in acknowledgment. By the time I reached the balcony upstairs and peered down, Sienna had already slipped her arm through Connor's. Ingrid's piercing voice drifted up from below. "Connor, you need to get that woman out of the Searle family for good. She's nothing but trouble! And Sienna's fiancé is a total loser. You two should pick a date and tie the knot already!" Hearing her words, Connor looked over at Sienna, his eyes filled with profound tenderness. But Sienna's evasive look quickly replaced the affection in his eyes with pain. I couldn't bear to watch any longer. I returned to my bed, pulled the covers over me, and sank into deep sleep. When I woke up, night had already fallen. Still half-asleep, I caught Connor's voice coming from outside the door. "Sienna, do you have any idea how much it meant to me today when Mom nudged you toward me? It was something I'd imagined a thousand times. I, Connor Searle, can have anything I want in this world, except for you…" His voice was rough, and it trembled slightly like he was fighting back tears. I'd never seen Connor like this. He seemed so raw and exposed. Without making a single sound, I got out of bed, crept to the door, and opened it just enough to peek through. Sienna had drawn Connor into her arms. She ran her hand gently over his back as she murmured, "Connor, I've got my own struggles, too. I just never thought that you'd go to such lengths for me. You've been through so much." Suddenly, Connor kissed her with a fierce, almost desperate urgency. She momentarily froze, then lifted her face to his, matching his intensity with equal fire. When they finally broke apart, gasping for air, Connor murmured, "None of that matters, Sienna. I'd do anything if it means that you'll be happy—" Before he could finish, Sienna tore his shirt open and kissed him with unrestrained passion. I couldn't take it anymore and closed the door. A few minutes later, I heard the guest room door open, followed by the unmistakable sounds of lovemaking. My stomach twisted into knots, a fiery ache burning in my chest with no way of escaping. I stared blankly at the wall, then slammed my head against it. A wave of dizziness washed over me, and finally, I felt better. When I turned, I caught my reflection in the mirror—messy and shattered—and broke down sobbing. I sat there, feeling hollow until the clock struck midnight. Connor never returned, and the guest room next door was alive with playful, teasing giggles. As dawn began to break, the door to my room slowly creaked open. It wasn't Connor who stepped inside. It was Sienna. I was slumped on the floor, completely broken. She took one look at me and let out a mocking laugh. Pointing at me, she sneered. "Evan used to be crazy about you, didn't he? But all I had to do was lift a finger, and he was in my bed. And Connor? Sure, he married you, but he was also in my bed, right under the same roof as you."