1.Chapter 1 The Ghost Of The Past

"Are you sure about this, Sienna?" Outside the airport terminal, a woman in a chic white suit clutched Sienna's hand, her own trembling.

"You don't have to go back to Solara," she begged. Her blonde hair and blue eyes were swimming with a desperate plea. "Please. Stay here, with us."

Sienna Hart, a vision of cool elegance, met her foster mother's gaze. She pulled her into a deep, meaningful hug, her own eyes stinging.

"I have to go back, Mom," she said softly. "But I'll be back. I promise."

But as the plane taxied down the runway, she knew this was a promise she might not be able to keep.

Three days ago, the dam of her memory had broken. Ten years, washed away in an instant, revealing the truth of who she was.

She remembered she was Sienna Hart, eldest daughter of the prestigious Hart family of Vallaris.

At eighteen, a trip abroad had ended in a fiery plane crash. By some miracle, she survived, only to be found by a kind couple who, believing she had no one, adopted her and raised her as their own.

Now, at twenty-eight, the past had come rushing back. Her family was alive. The weight of that knowledge was a moral compass she couldn't ignore. She had to go home.

The flight was long, but sleep was a distant stranger. Sienna spent the hours piecing together the fractured memories of her family. It all felt like a bizarre, vivid dream from another lifetime.

*****

At ten past 10 at night, Sienna finally arrived in Vallaris. She hailed a cab, and the driver greeted her with thick Vallaris accent. "Where to, Miss?"

A faint smile touched her lips. "88 Maplecrest Avenue, please."

"Well, I'll be," the driver said, catching her accent. "You don't look local. I thought you were a tourist."

Sienna's smile widened. "I'm from here. It's just… "

The smile faltered, a shadow of old pain and fresh hope passing through her eyes. "It's been a long time."

Ten years. A lifetime. Everything she knew was gone. She found herself thinking about her three little sisters—the giggles, the late-night chats, the way they used to huddle together on cold nights. 'Where are they now?' she wondered. 'Are they doing okay?'

As she sank into her memories, the driver kept chattering on how kids these days didn't visit their parents enough. He didn't stop talking until they finally pulled up to the address.

But as Sienna stepped out of the car, her eyes landed on a club she didn't recognize—Charmvale. She stared at the sign, her brow knitting together. The name felt strange in her mouth. The world had really gone on without her.

Just as she turned to leave, a heated argument at the club's entrance caught her eye. A man stood there, hands buried in his pockets lazily. He had the kind of face that spelled heartbreak, and his voice cut through the air like a blade, laced with cold indifference.

"Get it through your head," he was speaking to a young girl, who looked painfully thin in her simple dress. "You're a stand-in. A substitute. Do I have to spell it out for you?"

The girl's eyes were rimmed with red, her pretty face blotched with tears. "Mason, I already told you," she replied. "I'm not feeling well, so I'm not going to the hospital to donate blood today."

"Not feeling well?" Mason Quinn let out a cruel laugh. He grabbed her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Is that why you're here, selling drinks? Or is it something else you're selling, Vivian?"

Vivian Hart's jaw tightened. With a sharp crack, her hand flew across his face.

"You're a monster, Mason," she spat, her voice trembling with rage. "I've paid my debts. We're done. Now get away from me!"

Mason's head snapped to the side from the blow, but the cold grin never left his face. "You don't get to decide when we're done," he scoffed. "Did you forget? If it weren't for my family's engagement to yours three years ago, the Harts would've gone under. You want to walk away? Be my guest. But I wonder what your father would have to say about that."

With that, he grabbed her arm, and started dragging her toward his car. "If you want to keep playing the part of my fiancée, you'll do as you're told. Chloe needs your blood. It's the only thing you're good for, after all."

A wave of utter despair washed over Vivian. She closed her eyes, defeated.

To her, it had always been this way. Three years ago, she'd believed he was her savior. She'd thought he truly cared. But it was all a lie. Mason had only seen her as a walking, breathing medicine cabinet for Chloe Zalton, the one he actually loved.

In the name of "treatment," she had to go every month to donate blood for Chloe. And when she tried to put a stop to it, her own father slapped her for even bringing it up.

Just as Vivian was about to be pushed into the car, a cold, cutting voice sliced through the night. "Let her go."

Mason froze, turning to face a woman whose beauty was as breathtaking as the steel in her gaze.

"Who are you?" Mason scowled. "This is a private matter."

But when Vivian heard that voice, the world seemed to shift beneath her feet. It was a voice she recognized deep in her soul, a voice from a life she believed had vanished forever.

She looked up, her body rigid with disbelief. The face—so familiar, so regal, so achingly missed—sent a tremor through her heart.

A trembling hand reached out, her own face a mask of shock. Her lips parted, and a single, fragile word escaped, a name she'd only dared to whisper in her dreams.

"Sienna?" she mumbled. "Is that you?"

Sienna's gaze softened as she looked at the broken girl before her. Vivian, her second sister, had been just fifteen when Sienna left. Now grown, she still carried that same spark in her eyes.

"It's me, Vivian," Sienna said, her voice a gentle balm. "I'm back."

"Sis!"

Vivian ripped her arm from Mason's grasp and threw herself into Sienna's embrace, sobbing as if her heart would break.

All the years of pain, of loneliness, of quiet desperation, came pouring out. She clung to Sienna like a drowning girl to a lifeline, shaking with fear that this was all a dream, another cruel trick of her mind.

Sienna held her tight, stroking her back. Her voice was a steady, warm anchor in the storm.

"It's okay," she murmured. "I'm here now. I'm back, and I'm not going anywhere."

Vivian cried until Sienna's shoulder was soaked, finally pulling back with a sniffle of embarrassment, her eyes puffy and red.

"Is this real?" she whispered. "You're really here? Am I still dreaming?"

Sienna's heart ached. "It's real, Vivian. I'm really back." And she swore she would burn the world to the ground before she ever left her again.

Meanwhile, Mason, who had been ignored for so long, was now utterly confused. 'Sis?' he wondered. 'Vivian didn't have a sister. She was the eldest… wasn't she?'

"Vivian, are you done with this melodrama?" he chimed in. "We're leaving. Now."

But before he could finish the sentence, another sharp smack echoed in the night air. Mason stumbled, his head whipping to the side.

Sienna had hit him hard, without holding back. She'd been listening to his vile performance, her fury coiled like a snake in her gut.

What a joke,' Sienna thought. 'A substitute? Forced blood donations? What kind of sick, primetime drama is this?'

Then Mason called out Vivian's name, and Sienna strode forward. Though ten years had passed, she recognized Vivian instantly. Her pitiful, vulnerable look tugged at Sienna's heart.

Bullying her family right in front of her? To Sienna, that was the last straw. Mason might as well have been asking for trouble.

"What are you doing? Do you have any idea who I am?" cried Mason. The slap had left him dazed, his cheek was numb and painful. "I'm Vivian's boyfriend! Who do you think you are?"

Mason glared at the woman before him, but his bravado quickly faded. The woman standing there radiated a power that was genuinely terrifying. A cold dread crept over him.

"I'm her sister," Sienna pulled Vivian behind her, her voice deadly calm. "And you just laid a hand on my family. So, tell me. Do you want to leave here walking, or crawling?"

Vivian sniffled, the fear instantly replaced by a surge of strength. Sienna was a fortress, and inside her walls, nothing could touch her.

"Sienna, I hate him," she whimpered, clinging to Sienna's arm. "He's a bully."

That was all Sienna needed to hear. She drove her foot into Mason's stomach, sending him sprawling to the pavement again.

"You… you'll pay for this!" Mason gasped, yet he could do nothing but scramble away.

2.Chapter 2 A Gilded Cage No More

Steering Vivian away from the chaos, Sienna stopped at a quiet corner and gently dabbed at the lingering tears on her cheeks.

Vivian was not so short, but next to Sienna with those heels on, she looked as fragile as a porcelain doll.

"Don't cry, Vivian," Sienna said softly. "Tell me what happened. Tell me everything."

Vivian's shoulders shook with silent sobs. She didn't want to cry, but the injustice of it all was overwhelming.

Everyone had told her Sienna was dead—gone for ten years, a full decade of silence. But she never believed it. There were so many things she wanted to ask her.

Seeing Vivian so upset, Sienna decided to take her somewhere quiet to eat and talk. She took her to a cozy diner and ordered steaks for both of them. As the hot food arrived, Vivian's storm of emotions began to calm.

"Sienna… where were you these years?" she wiped her face clean and finally asked the question that had been haunting her for years, "They all said you were dead… "

Vivian had never believed it—nor had the other sisters. Not the official story about the plane crash. But after ten years without a single word, even the strongest hope begins to fade.

A wave of guilt washed over Sienna. "I thought I was dead, too," she admitted. "By some miracle, I survived. A kind couple found me, adopted me."

Watching Vivian's expression closely, she slowly continued, "But I had amnesia. For ten years, I didn't know who I was. Then, three days ago, everything came rushing back. The moment it did, I booked a flight home to find you."

Amnesia. That single word wiped away a decade of resentment. All the anger Vivian had held onto—for being abandoned, for being left alone—seemed to vanish into thin air.

"It's our fault. We should've found you sooner…" Vivian's voice cracked as she looked across the table at Sienna, scared she might disappear like a ghost.

"Enough of that," Sienna said gently but firmly. "Now, tell me about that Mason."

"He's my ex. But we're over now," Vivian said, a little too quickly. She couldn't bear for Sienna to know the whole, humiliating story. "Speaking of that, how about staying with me tonight?"

Sienna didn't push. If Vivian wouldn't tell her, she'd find out on her own. And anyone who had hurt her family would learn the true meaning of regret.

After they finished eating and talked a bit more, they left the diner. When they arrived at the address Vivian had given, Sienna stopped in her tracks. The building was a rundown walk-up in a rough part of town.

"Vivian, this is where you live?" she asked, disbelief clear in her voice.

Their family home was a sprawling villa at No. 1 Southlake. Why was Vivian living here? Was this some misguided attempt at independence? Sienna felt a knot of confusion tighten in her chest.

Vivian couldn't meet her eyes. She had been thrown out of her home seven years ago. How could she possibly explain that?

"It's not so bad. Come on, let's go up!" she said, leading Sienna upstairs.

Sienna followed silently, swallowing her questions. Just as Vivian reached for the door, a portly, greasy-looking man stepped forward, blocking their way.

"Vivian! Late on the rent again, I see," he boomed. "You're six months behind! With utilities, you owe me two thousand bucks! And now you're bringing guests? Pay up!"

Vivian froze, her face a mixture of panic and shame as she glanced between the landlord and Sienna. She prayed he would just shut up.

"I've been patient with you, you know, 'cause you're a pretty little thing," the landlord continued. "But you're pushing your luck! A girl who looks like you can't scrape together two grand? What a waste."

His eyes roamed over Vivian with a possessive leer that sent a chill down Sienna's spine. It was clear he expected payment of a different kind, not money.

Just as Vivian opened her mouth to protest, Sienna stepped forward. She pulled a thick wad of cash from her purse and slammed it into the man's chest.

"Here's the rent," she said, her voice dripping with ice. "Now get out of my sight before I do something we'll both regret."

"Hey! Who do you think you are?" the landlord sputtered, stunned by the cash. But before he could say more, Sienna had pulled Vivian inside and bolted the door.

"Sienna, I…" Vivian stared at the floor, unable to look at the sister she'd always worshipped.

Sienna said nothing. She calmly set down her luggage, cracked open a window to let in the cool night air, and switched on the light.

The room was tiny, the furniture old, the walls peeling. But it was tidy and had a certain warmth to it. It was obviously a home, one Vivian had lived in for a long, long time.

She then turned to Vivian, studying her expression carefully for a moment. Her face was still sweet and round, her big, bright eyes just as striking as when she was little. Her long, straight hair fell like a curtain as she hung her head in shame.

In the end, Sienna simply opened her suitcase and asked, "Do you want to shower first, or should I?"

"Huh?" Vivian's mind went blank.

She'd been desperately trying to come up with a believable lie, a story to explain everything. But that simple, everyday question caught her completely off guard. She'd expected accusations. Demands. Not this.

She blinked, watching as Sienna picked up a silk pajama set and walked toward her. Then, without thinking, she squeezed her eyes shut.

She must be mad. She's going to hit me,' Vivian thought. 'And honestly… I deserve it. I'm so useless.'

She began to replay everything in her mind. After Sienna left, nothing stayed—she couldn't even go home. Their mother's belongings had all been taken over by that woman, and their father had changed too, twisted into someone unrecognizable.

It felt like she couldn't protect anything. Not even the Bartholomew Bear Sienna had loved so much—she hadn't managed to save that either. Her younger sisters had scattered, pulled in different directions, and she… she had failed them all.

But the slap never came. Instead, a gentle hand began to stroke her hair. Vivian's eyes shot open. Sienna was looking down at her, a soft smile on her face that seemed to warm the entire room, chasing away the shadows in Vivian's heart.

"You need a minute? I'll go first, then," Sienna said softly, and disappeared into the bathroom.

Vivian stood there, dazed, a slow, brilliant smile blooming across her face. She stared at the closed bathroom door, her heart filling with a feeling she hadn't known in ten years—hope.

A few minutes later, Sienna stepped out, wrapped in a cloud of steam and the soft scent of body lotion. Her skin glowed, and a silky, moon-white nightgown draped effortlessly over her graceful frame. Curls spilled over her shoulders, damp and tousled. She looked like she'd walked straight out of a dream.

Drying her hair with a towel, she caught Vivian staring, wide-eyed. Sienna let out a soft laugh and reached over to give her cheek a gentle, teasing pinch. "Your turn, Vivian."

Vivian blushed deep red, wishing she could sink right through the floor. She watched as Sienna sat down on the edge of the bed, and somehow, the drab little apartment seemed to change. The peeling walls, the dim light…it all faded into the background.

In that moment, the whole room felt like it had been made just to frame her. Sienna didn't belong in a place like this. She made it look like a palace.

Vivian's heart hammered in her chest. Sienna was even more beautiful than she remembered.

She really admired her—those curves, that graceful figure, the way she carried herself. Even as a girl, Vivian couldn't help but be a little jealous. She wondered if, all these years alone, any slimy men had tried to take advantage of her.

Just thinking about it made her blood boil, and her cheeks would puff up in frustration—like now, fresh out of the shower, looking like a little pufferfish.

3.Chapter 3 The First Night Home

Sienna had already dried her own hair and was leaning back against the headboard. Her expression was unreadable as she stared out the window, but when Vivian emerged from the bathroom, her gaze softened right away.

"Come here, Vivian," she patted the spot beside her. "Let me dry your hair."

Vivian wanted to refuse. Sienna had just come back, and she didn't want to trouble her. But Sienna's gentle, soothing voice drew her in before she could say no.

Before she knew it, she was sitting on the floor, leaning back with her head resting in Sienna's lap as the warm air from the hairdryer surrounded her.

It felt… so safe, Vivian thought. Her eyes fluttered closed in contentment, but then snapped open again.

She was terrified this was all a dream, a beautiful, fragile fantasy she would wake from at any moment. She drank in the sight of Sienna's face, her heart aching with a desperate question.

"Sienna," she asked, her voice barely a whisper. "Are you going to leave again?"

Sienna's hands paused for a moment. "No," she said softly but firmly. "I'm not going anywhere."

She had made up her mind. From now on, wherever she went, she would bring her sisters along.

Hearing this, a pure, overwhelming joy blossomed in Vivian's chest. Tears slipped down her cheeks, and Sienna reached down to wipe them away.

She knew Vivian must have suffered unimaginable pain in the years she was gone. She wouldn't press her for details. Not yet.

The rest of her life would be free of suffering, Sienna vowed silently. Because she was here now.

"Alright, go get the hand cream from my suitcase," she gently patted on Vivian's shoulder.

"Okay!" Vivian bounced up, grabbing a pink tube from the suitcase. She watched curiously as Sienna uncapped it.

"Here," Sienna said. "Give me your hands."

Vivian held them out, and the cool touch of the white lotion against her skin felt like a spark to her heart.

"You have to take care of yourself," Sienna said gently as she rubbed the hand cream into Vivian's hands. "That includes your hands, of course."

Tears welled in Vivian's eyes as she bit her lip, trying to hold them back. She couldn't let herself cry again. She didn't want to push Sienna away.

She just gave a faint nod, her throat closing up. The cream smelled lovely, a gentle blend of fruit, flowers, and a trace of tea that lingered without being too sweet.

"This smells amazing," Vivian exclaimed, her eyes lighting up.

Sienna smiled. "Just something I whipped up myself. If you like it, it's yours. Use it every morning and night."

Vivian's face flushed. She shook her head quickly. "No, I couldn't. It's yours."

Before she could finish, Sienna pinched her cheek again. "What's mine is yours. Now, put it away and get some sleep."

Vivian nodded, slipping under the covers and immediately plastering herself to Sienna's side, clinging to her arm.

Just like when they were children, Sienna held her, patting her back gently until her breathing evened out.

It was the most peaceful night's sleep Vivian had had in ten years, wrapped in her sister's arms, just like old times.

Sienna was really home. She couldn't be more happy.

"Sienna…" Vivian murmured in her sleep.

Sienna, her own eyes wide open in the darkness, gazed down at her. The carefully constructed dam around her own emotions finally broke, and a single, hot tear traced a path down her cheek.

Later that night, once she was sure Vivian was sound asleep, Sienna carefully slipped out of bed, and stepped over to the window to dial a number.

"It's me," she said to the phone, her voice cool and clipped. "Lana, I need you to check on something. Pack a bag. You're coming to Solara. I'll be here for a while. Hand the company to the board."

The next day, Vivian woke in a haze, a pleasant dream fading from her mind. Then reality crashed in, and she shot upright.

The other side of the bed was empty.

Was it all a dream? Had Sienna never really come back? She thought, disappointingly.

But then she caught the lingering floral scent on her hands, and her heart leaped with frantic hope.

She scrambled out of bed, her bare feet hitting the cold floor. The clatter of cookware grew louder as she neared the kitchen.

She rounded the corner just in time to see Sienna, wearing an apron, carrying two steaming plates out of the kitchen.

"Already up?" Sienna asked, raising an eyebrow. "It's only six. You should be sleeping in."

Seeing her there—real, solid, and right in front of her—calmed the wild pounding in Vivian's chest. She didn't say a word, just stared at Sienna for a long moment.

"How many times have I told you? Don't run around without shoes, you'll catch a cold," Sienna noticed her bare feet and immediately went into big-sister mode. "You're not a child anymore. Go put on some socks and slippers, now."

The familiar nagging was the warmest sound Vivian had ever heard. She sniffled, nodding vigorously. "Okay. I'll go get them right now."

"Slippers and socks, then wash up," Sienna added. "Breakfast is almost ready."

"Okay!" Vivian replied.

While abroad, Sienna's adoptive parents had hired a renowned chef from Solara to cater to her tastes. She had learned a few breakfast recipes herself, dishes that were both delicious and nourishing.

Watching Vivian dig into the food the moment they sat down, Sienna figured it must have turned out all right.

"Slow down," she said with a smile. "No one's going to steal it from you."

Vivian took a huge bite of the eggs. "But this is just so good!"

"Here," Sienna passed her a napkin. "So, Vivian, are you working now?"

The light in Vivian's eyes dimmed instantly. Her gaze shifted, a flicker of shame crossing her face, but she answered truthfully. "Yes. I work at a company called Dynastis."

"Dynastis? Fine." Sienna just ruffled her hair. "I'll give you a ride there later."

As the second daughter of the Hart family, Vivna could have lived a life of leisure, coasting on the inheritance their mother had left them, but Sienna didn't ask why she was working.

There were so many questions, yet Sienna just held them back. She had already sent people to find the answers.

By the end of the day, she'd know everything. Her sisters might not say a word, but that didn't mean she, as their older sister, would stay in the dark. And if she found out anyone had laid a hand on them, she would make them pray for a quick death.

"No, Sienna, you don't have to!" Vivian protested. "You should rest. I can take the bus, it's really fast."

Sienna gave a wry smile. "Are you embarrassed to be seen with me?"

Vivian's eyes went wide. She shook her head frantically. "No! Not at all! I would never think that! I just… I don't want to trouble you."

She looked down, ashamed. The truth is, she was afraid she would embarrass Sienna. At Dynastis, she was just… a nobody.

"I'm your sister. It's never a trouble," Sienna replied. As she spoke, her phone rang. She picked it up and stepped aside while Vivian continued her breakfast.

"It's me," she said firmly into the phone. After a brief pause, she finally added, "Good. Understood."

When they went downstairs, the portly landlord was waiting, his face split in a sycophantic grin. He greeted them with an enthusiasm that was a world away from his venomous tirade the day before. His eyes, however, lingered disgustingly where they shouldn't.

Sienna shot him a look so sharp and cold it could have cut glass. The man's smile froze, and a flicker of fear entered his eyes. He quickly looked away.

I'll deal with you later, Sienna thought, her eyes turning to ice.

She led Vivian outside the building. Parked beside the shabby apartment building was a crimson Rolls-Royce. Vivian couldn't help but stare.

She didn't know much about cars, but she knew this one was custom, and its price tag would have more commas than she could count. It was so out of place it was almost comical.

"Come on," Sienna said, walking towards it. "Get in."

"Huh?" Vivian blinked in surprise. Get in? She processed her words. The only other vehicle nearby was a shared bike. Was Sienna planning to pedal her to work?

Confused but obedient, she started walking toward the bike. Sienna sighed, grabbed her hand, and pulled her toward the luxury car.

"This way. Get in," said Sienna. "Or you'll be late."

4.Chapter 4 A Game Of Push And Pull

Vivian stared at the open car door, her mouth agape. She looked from the car to Sienna and back again, swallowing hard.

"Wait, Sienna," she pointed a trembling finger. "Is this car yours?"

"Yes," Sienna nodded. "If you like it, it's yours. By the way, do you know how to drive?"

Vivian just shook her head, still trying to process it. One moment, Sienna owned a Rolls-Royce, and the next, she was offering to let her drive it. This was just too much.

Before her brain could fully process it, her body was already moving, sinking into the plush leather of the passenger seat. They'd been driving for a few minutes before the reality finally hit her.

"Sienna!" Vivian exclaimed, her voice buzzing with excitement. "This is really your car! Where did you get all this money? Oh—wait, that's not what I meant. You're incredible, of course you'd be successful!"

But this was beyond successful. She screamed inside. This car had to be worth a hundred or two hundred million, at least!

Sienna just smiled, the morning light catching the angles of her exquisite face. "You really think I'm that capable?"

"Of course!" Vivian declared proudly. "You are the most brilliant woman in the entire world! You've always been my idol."

From a young age, Sienna had been a prodigy. She was always first in her class, with perfect scores in every subject. She'd been the top when applying for college.

And as for looks, she had been crowned the number one beauty in Vallaris. Their entire family was blessed with good genes; their mother and grandmother were both legendary beauties and scholars in their own right.

"You're amazing too," Sienna said quietly.

The simple words made Vivian freeze, her heart skipping a beat.

Me? Amazing? she wondered silently. But she had let Sienna down. She felt like a failure.

"You can just drop me off at the corner up ahead," she said, her voice suddenly small. "My office is just a short walk from there."

"Alright," Sienna agreed, pulling the car over. A message notification lit up her phone. It was Lana. Who had just arrived Vallaris.

"What time do you get off? I'll pick you up," Sienna said, handing Vivian a sleek black business card. "Here's my number. Take it."

Vivian nodded, quickly adding the contact, labeling it simply: Sienna.

She walked toward her office, her heart light and happy. But then she spotted someone standing guard at the company entrance—Mason, dressed in a sharp blue suit. He kept glancing at his watch, his expression tight with impatience.

Vivian knew he was waiting for her, but she ignored him and walked straight past.

"Vivian!" Mason's voice snapped as he saw her pass without so much as a glance. Anger flared inside him, but Vivian didn't break her stride—she walked straight into the building.

Furious, Mason grabbed her arm, yanking her back. "Have I been too good to you? You dare to ignore me?" he roared. "You think just because someone helped you last night, you can defy me?"

Vivian shook him off. "Mason, we're broken up. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other. Stay away from me."

Mason was momentarily speechless. He took a breath, trying to regain control. "Look, I'm giving you one last chance. Apologize, come to the hospital with me right now, and I'll still be your boyfriend."

Vivian didn't answer but let out a scornful laugh.

This was the man she once thought she loved. When she first met him, she'd been drawn to his seemingly endless kindness. He had been a light in her darkness, giving her the courage to live when she felt most helpless.

But in the end, he had wounded her again and again. The moment his precious Chloe Zalton so much as whimpered, it was always Vivian's fault.

"Mason, you're delusional. Starting today, I will never donate another drop of my blood to Chloe," replied Vivian. "Get that through your head. Your family has always wanted to call off the engagement, right? Fine. Let's do it. I don't want the title of your fiancée anyway."

Sienna was back. Vivian knew she didn't have to be afraid of anyone.

Mason sneered. "Vivian, there's a limit to these games. Did you really think a pathetic little trick like this would work on me? I have a gala tonight. Be there."

With that, he turned and left, confident in his victory. He believed Vivian couldn't break up with him. She loved him too much. How could she possibly want to end the engagement?

It was just a game of push and pull, he told himself. A way to get attention. All women were like that.

Vivian rolled her eyes. She brushed off the sleeve he had touched, her expression one of utter disgust. 'Mason, how stupid was I to ever give you the impression that I couldn't live without you?' she sighed quietly, then headed back to her office.

Meanwhile, inside Vivian's rented apartment, a glass shattered against the wall. Several documents lay scattered across the table. Standing before Sienna was a woman with blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, dressed in a sharp black business suit.

"S—" the woman called out, but Sienna cut her off.

"I told you," Sienna said, her voice dangerously low. "From now on, you will call me Miss Enna. And I don't want my identity revealed. I trust you understand that."

"Yes, Miss Enna. My apologies," Lana Yost, Sienna's assistant for years, replied quickly.

Sienna clentched her fist, eyes blazing with fury. 'Aiden, how dare you treat Vivian like that?' she muttered under her breath. 'You're dead. Just wait—tonight, I'll make you wish you'd never been born.'

"Miss Enna, shall I acquire the Hart Corporation?" Lana chimed in. "It's in chaos right now, and its development has stagnated. It would take half a month at most."

Sienna waved her hand dismissively, her cool, indifferent eyes glinting like sharp ice. "Not yet. For now, buy up this entire block. And put this building in Vivian Hart's name."

"Yes, Miss Enna," Lana replied. As she turned to leave, Sienna stopped her. "One more thing."

Lana nodded, "Yes, Miss Enna?"

"Throw this out," Sienna carefully wrapped the shards of broken glass in a handkerchief. "And buy me a same one."

Lana was confused. The handkerchief alone was worth ten times more than the cheap glass. But she obeyed without question. Miss Enna always had her reasons.

Once she'd calmed down, Sienna picked up her phone and sent Vivian a message: [Are you tired? I'm bringing you a Silkstone Espresso.]

After getting Sienna's text, Vivian left the building on time to meet her after work. She was usually the ever-compliant one, but this time she was the first to leave—much to her manager's annoyance.

Silkstone Expresson was her favorite drink. Sitting inside Sienna's car, she took the coffee cup and took a sip. A familiar ache, bittersweet and comforting, filled her chest. After Sienna had left, she had never again tasted her favorite drink.

Now she was back, and so was this small piece of happiness.

"Thanks, Sienna." Vivian grinned, her pure, pretty face radiating joy.

Sienna reached out and brushed her bangs aside. The Harts were all stunning. Vivian had a delicate, beautiful face with the soft lines of an oval shape, gentle brow bones, and large eyes that shone with innocence.

But Sienna knew that Vivian was always too sensible, too used to swallowing her grievances and burying her pain.

"Let's get you a conditioning treatment. Your hair is looking a little frizzy," said Sienna. "Then we'll go to the mall and buy you some new clothes."

Vivian wanted to refuse, to say she didn't have any money. But she couldn't bring herself to spoil Sienna's mood.

When had she—Vivian Hart, the second daughter of the family—become so timid? She didn't even understand herself. Maybe it started the day she was thrown out of her home with nothing to her name.

As if sensing her hesitation, Sienna's voice softened.

"Vivian, I know I was gone for ten years. I know you all suffered after I left," she added. "But I promise you, from this day forward, you'll never endure another injustice. So please, don't treat me like a stranger, okay?"