Chapter 21

Sienna’s POV

Max had returned, but what surprised me more than his early arrival was the fact that he said nothing about Hester. Not a word, not a glance in my direction to acknowledge the chaos she’d already caused. It was as if she didn’t exist—or worse, as if her presence here was completely normal.

I stewed in silence all evening, replaying her taunts in my head and waiting for Max to say something, anything, that would explain why she was here. He just ate dinner and afterwards, went to the pool out back for a swim. Hester, on the other hand, was somewhere in the house, surprisingly not taunting me – yet. She must have been cooked up in one of the rooms she had designated for herself. When it became clear he wasn’t going to bring it up, I decided to confront him myself.

I found him in his room, seated on the edge of his bed, scrolling through his laptop. He didn’t even look up when I entered.

“Max,” I said, crossing my arms.

“Hmm?” he replied, his eyes still glued to the screen.

I stepped closer, my voice firmer now. “Who is she, and why is she here?”

That got his attention. He looked up, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Who are we talking about?”

“You know who,” I snapped. “Hester. The woman waltzing around this house like she owns it.”

“Oh,” he said casually, leaning back against the headboard. “Hester. What about her?”

“What about her?” I repeated, incredulous. “Why is she here, Max? She’s making my life hell.”

He closed his laptop and set it aside, his gaze locking on mine. “Sienna,” he said slowly, “what Hester does or doesn’t do is none of your business.”

I blinked, stunned. “None of my—? Are you serious?”

“Completely,” he said, his tone maddeningly calm.

“She’s tormenting me!” I shouted. “She’s in my space, making snide remarks, treating me like I’m some kind of intruder.”

Max tilted his head, a faintly amused expression on his face. “Maybe you shouldn’t let her get under your skin so easily.”

I glared at him, my fists clenched at my sides. “This isn’t funny, Max.”

“I’m not laughing,” he said, though his smirk suggested otherwise.

“This is my home now,” I said firmly. “I deserve to feel safe here.”

“Your home?” he repeated, standing up and stepping closer. His voice dropped as he looked down on me. My breath hung in my throat. “Let’s not forget, Sienna, you’re only here because of one reason—and it’s not to redecorate.”

I swallowed hard, feeling both insulted and unnerved by the way he was looking at me.

“You’re here,” he continued, his voice low, “to have this baby. That’s it. So why don’t you focus on what really matters?”

I felt my face flush with anger and humiliation. “You’re unbelievable,” I muttered, turning on my heel and storming out of the room.

The next day, Hester’s antics started before I’d even had my morning coffee.

I walked into the kitchen to find her chatting with the chef, pointing at a tray of pastries.

“These are just so... ordinary,” she was saying. “Don’t you think, Sienna?”

I ignored her and poured myself a cup of coffee.

“Oh, come now,” she said, her tone teasing. “You must have an opinion. Or is breakfast not part of your... acting repertoire?”

I gritted my teeth. “Good morning to you too, Hester.”

She smiled sweetly. “Good morning, darling.”

Later, I tried to escape to the garden, hoping for some peace and quiet. But, of course, Hester found me.

“I love this garden,” she said, strolling over as if she owned the place. “Max and I used to spend hours out here. Did he ever tell you that?”

“No,” I said curtly.

“Oh, he must have forgotten,” she said with a laugh. “Such a shame. We had so many... intimate moments out here.”

I clenched my fists, biting back a retort.

The final straw came that evening. I was sitting in the living room, reading a book, when Hester sauntered in, holding a glass of wine.

“You know,” she said, sitting across from me, “you really should take better care of yourself. Stress isn’t good for you.” She said, eyeing me suspiciously.

I looked up from my book, glaring at her. “What do you want, Hester?”

“Just making conversation,” she said innocently. “After all, we’re housemates now, aren’t we?”

I snapped the book shut, standing up. “That’s it.”

Max was in his study when I barged in, Hester right behind me.

“Max,” I said sharply. “This needs to stop.”

He looked up, surprised. “What’s going on?”

“She’s going on,” I said, pointing at Hester. “She’s driving me insane, and she needs to leave.”

Hester gasped theatrically. “Me? Leave? That’s rich, coming from the woman who doesn’t even belong here.”

“I belong here more than you do,” I shot back.

“Enough,” Max said, standing up. “Both of you.”

“She started it,” Hester said, crossing her arms.

I glared at her. “You’ve been in my hair all day, making snide remarks and acting like this is your house.”

“That’s because it is,” Hester said with a smirk.

“No, it’s not!” I shouted.

“Ladies,” Max said, his voice sharp. “Stop.”

We both turned to him, waiting for his verdict.

“Sienna stays,” he said firmly.

“What?” Hester and I said in unison, though for completely different reasons.

“Hester,” Max continued, his tone colder now, “you’re a guest here. Sienna is staying, and that’s final.”

Hester looked like she wanted to argue, but she held her tongue, her eyes narrowing.

I crossed my arms, still fuming but satisfied—for now.

“This isn’t over,” Hester said under her breath as she stormed out.

Max sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Do me a favour, Sienna—just try to avoid her.”

“Maybe you should try controlling your ‘guests,’” I shot back.

He gave me a warning look but said nothing, turning back to his desk.