Chapter 9%
My soul floated silently beside him, watching his every move, unsure whether to laugh or cry. The truth was out–every secret, every deception laid bare before him. But what did it matter now? I was already dead.”
There was a time when I loved him with everything I had, offering my heart without hesitation. But death had a way of stripping away illusions, leaving only cold, unforgiving clarity. It was only now, standing outside of life itself, that I saw him for what he truly was–a blind fool, in both sight and heart.”
A man who had trampled on my devotion under the guise of gratitude, who took and took without ever realizing how much it cost me, all while wrapping himself in the tangle of his so–called first love. A scumbag who couldn’t even draw a line between love and obsession.
When Sienna pushed open the door and stepped inside, a faint flicker of joy crossed her face, quick as a flash, before she smoothed it away. In its place, she wore an expression of perfect sorrow, her eyes brimming with carefully measured regret as she approached Hugh.
“Hugh, I heard about Ava.” Her voice was soft, almost trembling, like a gentle breeze stirring dead leaves. “Don’t blame yourself. She provoked me first, remember? You only sent her on that ride to stand up for me. No one wanted this to happen–she brought it on herself.“}
She reached out, fingers curling around his arm like ivy wrapping around a crumbling wall. “You love me the most, don’t you? I’ll always be by your side.“}
Hugh let her hold him, his arms slowly lifting to embrace her. But the way his fingers gripped her shoulders–tighter and tighter–was different this time.
Sp
“Really?” His voice was low, almost absent. “Were those messages truly sent by Ava?“}
Sienna’s breath hitched. The panic in her eyes was barely a flicker, but it was there, quick and sharp before she forced a smile back onto her face.
“Hugh, what are you saying? Of course they were. The number was unregistered, sure, but who else could it be? Ever since I came back, Ava hated me. It’s obvious. And you heard the voice messages yourself–it was her voice!“}]
Her words flowed smoothly, each excuse polished to perfection, as if she had rehearsed them a thousand times.
But Hugh’s eyes stayed clouded, distant with grief and something darker. Back then, he had believed her without hesitation. After all, who else would torment Sienna so viciously but the wife who had every reason to resent her?>
It was Sienna who had planted the seed of doubt, watering it until it blossomed into certainty. He had never questioned it–never questioned me.
But now, with the truth laid bare, he couldn’t unhear the tiny cracks in those voice messages. At the time, they had sounded so much like me, so convincing. But if he had only listened for ten more seconds–really listened–he would have noticed the subtle differences. It hadn’t been my voice at all.
Suddenly, memories came rushing back, sharp and clear. The countless times I had tried to explain, the desperation in my eyes as I begged him to believe me. How that desperation had slowly drained away, replaced by hollow resignation.
He used to think it was all an act–a performance meant to manipulate him. But now, he knew better.
That look in my eyes hadn’t been guilt. It had been disappointment. Helplessness. Despair.
I had already made up my mind to leave–to walk away after giving birth, leaving Hugh and Sienna to their perfect little world. But even with that decision made, I couldn’t escape them. In the end, their hands still reached out and dragged me under. They took my life.}
Hugh’s large hand moved slowly, almost absently, sliding up to Sienna’s neck. His fingers curled around her throat, tightening just enough to make her stiffen in discomfort. She frowned, shifting uneasily beneath his grip, but he let go before she could say anything.”
His gaze softened–a terrifyingly gentle expression, so tender it sent chills down my spine.
“Yes,” he said softly. “Who else could it be but her?”
A smug smile flitted across Sienna’s lips, there and gone in an instant.
“You promised me,” she reminded him, her voice honey–sweet. “Once Ava gave birth, you said you’d divorce her that she’s gone… what about us?“\
marry me. Now
“Don’t worry.” Hugh’s eyes locked onto hers, his smile widening into something almost serene. “I’ll keep my promise. But before that… since Ava died because of me, we should at least apologize to her, don’t you think?”
That smile chilled me to the bone. Even in death, I couldn’t help but shudder.!
But Sienna, blinded by her own excitement, didn’t notice the shift in him. She wiped away her fake tears and leaned forward, just like always, to kiss him–sealing her triumph.
This time, though, Hugh turned his head ever so slightly. The kiss landed awkwardly at the corner of his mouth before he subtly pushed her away.
“I’m tired,” he murmured. “Three days from now, I’ll marry you.“}}
Sienna’s pout was brief, her disappointment swallowed by the sheer satisfaction of finally winning. Twice now, Hugh had gently avoided her touch, but it hardly mattered. Soon, she would officially become Mrs. Miller–the title she had coveted for years.
Unlike the secret, shame–coated marriage he had with me, Hugh made sure the world knew about this one. Over the next three days, every major outlet ran the announcement–the upcoming wedding of Hugh Miller and his beloved Sienna McCarthy, a grand affair for all to see.
