Chapter 10

Sienna's POV

I stood by the window, staring out at the garden below. My parents were with Max, their body language tense even though their smiles were still plastered on. Max stood tall, his posture calm and unbothered as always. But there was something about the way he spoke—controlled, deliberate—that made me pause.

He wasn’t just talking to them. He was defending me.

Again!

I could read it in the atmosphere. For a moment, I felt the strangest sense of relief. But it didn’t last long.

What was I doing? Hiding up here, letting Max deal with everyone while I stayed out of sight? How long could I keep running like this? From the reporters, my parents, Edwina... even Max.

My hands tightened around the edge of the window frame. Was I really going to let him take the reins of my life completely? That thought terrified me more than anything else.

I exhaled slowly and squared my shoulders. No. I couldn’t let this become my reality. I couldn’t keep hiding. I checked for Harry. He was still at the door and as I made my way out, he made to say something, but I silenced him with a wave of my hand. Then I went outside and took over from Max.

My parents’ faces twisted the moment they saw me. Victor’s jaw tightened, and Grace’s smile disappeared entirely.

“Well, well,” Victor said, his voice cold. “Look who finally decided to show up.”

I stopped a few feet away, keeping my expression neutral. “What do you want, Dad?”

“What do we want?” Grace hissed, stepping closer. “What do you think you’re doing, Sienna? What kind of game are you playing?”

“I’m not playing any games,” I said calmly.

“Don’t lie to us,” Victor snapped. “We know what you’re doing. You think this little stunt with Max will help you crawl back into the public’s good graces? That it’ll erase everything?”

“This isn’t a stunt,” I replied evenly. “Max and I are together because we want to be.”

Grace let out a bitter laugh. “You expect us to believe that? That a man like Maxwell Hollandale would choose you? After everything?”

I bit back the sting of her words, keeping my voice steady. “Believe whatever you want. It doesn’t change the truth.”

“You’re delusional,” Victor said. “Do you honestly think this will end well for you? You’ve already destroyed your career and your reputation. Now you’re dragging someone else down with you.”

“I’m not dragging anyone down,” I said, meeting his glare. “Max and I are happy. And I’d appreciate it if you stopped trying to tear me apart every chance you get.”

Grace shook her head, her eyes narrowing. “You’re walking straight into disaster, Sienna. If you have any sense left, you’ll pull out of this before it’s too late.”

“Too late for what?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “Too late for me to be happy? To prove you wrong?”

Victor stepped closer, his voice low and filled with suppressed rage. “You think you’re smart, don’t you? You think you can outplay us? Let me tell you something, Sienna—you’ve already lost. You just don’t know it yet.”

I forced a smile, ignoring the knot tightening in my chest. “Well, in that case, you’ll love this. You’re both invited to my grand white wedding at St. Matthew’s Church. It’s going to be beautiful. I’ll make sure you have front-row seats.” Without another word, I turned and walked away, my heels clicking against the stone path.

The party ended shortly after, and I made my way back into the house. The silence was suffocating, the grand halls feeling more like a trap than a sanctuary. I wasn’t sure I could survive being alone in this building with him.

As I stepped into the sitting room, I jumped at the sound of Max’s voice behind me.

“Enjoyed yourself out there?”

I spun around, finding him leaning casually against the doorframe. “What are you doing?”

“Just checking in,” he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “You seemed to be having such a good time with your parents.”

I crossed my arms. “What do you want, Max?”

He smirked, stepping into the room. “Let’s talk about your little run-in with the journalists earlier.”

I stiffened. “What about it? They asked normal questions at first,” I said defensively. “I didn’t know they’d start digging into my past.”

“Then you clearly don’t know how reporters work,” he shot back. “They’ll dig until they hit gold—or until you crumble. And from what I hear, you were close to crumbling.”

I glared at him. “You weren’t even there.”

“I didn’t have to be,” he said coolly. “I know how these things go. Which is why I’m going to help you avoid making a fool of yourself again.”

He moved closer, his green eyes narrowing slightly. “When they ask about us, you stick to the story. We met through mutual friends, fell in love, and now we’re inseparable. Got it?”

I clenched my jaw. “Got it.”

“And when they bring up your past?” he continued.

“I deflect,” I said, my voice clipped.

“Good. At least you’re capable of learning.” The comment hit me like a bomb.

I glared at him, my frustration bubbling over. “Why do you even care? This is all just a game to you, isn’t it?”

He tilted his head, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Exactly. It’s business, Sienna. Nothing more.”

“Right,” I said bitterly. “Thanks for reminding me.”

He turned to leave, then paused, glancing back at me. “Don’t get the wrong impression, darling. I’ll protect you when it suits me, but don’t expect anything more.”

I didn’t respond, watching as he disappeared down the hall.

For a moment, I stood there in the empty room, the weight of his words pressing down on me. Business. That’s all this was to him.

I had to think fast. I had to act fast. This was just about the baby and afterwards, I would be gone!