Chapter 4

Joel's POV

Ever since the night I brought up divorce, Sienna had acted like a completely different person. She stopped going out and stayed by Abby's side every day.

Abby had been confused at first, but she quickly melted into the warmth of having her mother around. With Sienna taking care of her, Abby's face lit up with smiles more and more each day.

Over those few weeks, I came to understand just how much Abby needed Sienna. That was why I never told her I was planning to take her away.

On the day of Abby's follow-up appointment, I drove the three of us to the hospital. In the backseat, Sienna ruffled Abby's hair.

"Once your arm's all better, I'll take you somewhere fun, okay?"

Abby's eyes lit up instantly, and she nodded enthusiastically. "As long as I'm with you, Mommy!"

I watched the two of them through the rearview mirror, and the resolve I'd built started to crack. Part of me even dared to hope that Sienna had actually changed.

The moment I pulled into the hospital garage, my phone started blowing up with calls from work.

Sienna looked over at me. "Go ahead. I'll stay with Abby."

She paused, then added, "Don't worry. I already talked to Kent. I won't be going over there all the time anymore."

"Go to work, Daddy! Mommy's here with me!" Abby chimed in.

Without waiting for my answer, Sienna carefully scooped Abby up. I watched them walk away, sighed, and drove to the office.

On the way, I reminded Sienna more than once to stay with Abby no matter what. She promised she would.

But halfway through my meeting, an unfamiliar number came through. I rushed out to the hallway and picked up.

"Are you the father of Abby Whitman? Why is there no one here with her? You can't just leave a four-year-old alone at a hospital. She's been crying."

My mind went blank. I got back to the hospital as fast as I possibly could.

When I burst into the waiting room, Abby was sitting in a chair by herself, crying. A kind nurse had given her a lollipop.

I crouched down in front of her, barely able to get the words out. "Where's Mommy?"

Abby wiped her tears and clutched the candy tight. "She left. She told me to wait here for her, and then she just left."

My heart sank. I reached out and brushed the tears from her face. "How about I take you somewhere new to live?"

Abby went still for a moment. "What about Mommy?"

"We don't need Mommy anymore. There'll be someone new to take care of you, and she'll be even better."

Abby looked down at the floor. Just as I started to regret saying all of that to a child her age, she nodded firmly.

"Okay. I'll go with Daddy."

After we left the hospital, I went home and threw together a bag for the two of us, then headed straight for the airport.

Someone was already waiting for me in the VIP lounge. She waved when she saw us.

Right then, Sienna's call came in. Her voice was frantic.

"Joel, Jamie got badly burned with boiling water. I just finished dealing with it. Abby's still at the hospital, so you need to go get her and then I'll—"

Before she could finish, a pair of hands took the phone from me. The woman spoke into it, calm and clear.

"Ms. Fairchild, you don't have to worry. I'll be taking care of your daughter from now on."

The other end of the line went dead silent. After a long pause, Sienna's voice came back, sharp with shock and fury.

"Reese Covington? What are you doing with my husband?"