Chapter Two — Nightmare At The Hallway

SIENNA'S POV

“You and Dad just got divorced three years ago, and now you're getting remarried?” I shuddered a yell before I could handle it.

Mom's eyes ached with disbelief. She never believed I could be this way towards her but I just had to let her know the truth.

“This is so petty!” I shook my head, rubbing my forehead as I leaned against the kitchen counter. A migraine was near.

“Sienna, dear.” She moved closer, placing a hand on my shoulder as she tried to calm me but I shoved her hand off.

I knew better.

She was only trying to buy sympathy and I wasn't going to fall for it

I stood, facing her now with my arms folded across my chest.

“Don't you think you should focus on winning Dad back rather than getting into another marriage? It's too early.”

She snorted, crossing her arms. “Of course you'd say that. Look, it's high time you stopped playing Daddy's girl.”

“We can always try, Mom.” I held her hands, searching her eyes for any sign of hope but there was none.

She had her mind made up already and was never going to listen.

“Three years is enough trying, Sienna.” Mom shot at me, her face now red with anger.

“Remember, Phineas left without an explanation, and when I found him a week later, he was in the arms of his lover. He said it to my face—he said he would always choose that man over me and that he only married me because of his family. He didn't want them to know about his sexuality and I was the tool for his pretense.”

Mom's words pierced my heart.

I wished we had never started this conversation in the first place.

The images flashed through my mind — the pictures of dad and his ‘man lover’ naked in a hotel room.

How could he be so disgusting?

I gripped the edge of the counter tightly until my knuckles turned white with anger.

I couldn't bring myself to dwell on the thought that he was the man I had seen as a worthy father during the past twenty-two years.

Still, it was hard to discard the fatherly affection I had for him.

He was my world — the best dad.

Our family was so perfect, why did he have to leave making the picture cracked?

I watched Mom grab a bottle of water from the refrigerator and gulp it down.

Now, she appeared calmer, but just when I thought she was going to agree with me, the next words she spilled got me thrilled.

“Get prepared, baby. We will meet your soon-to-be stepfather this evening by 7pm—”

“M—Mom—” I blinked.

“—unfailingly.” She added, walking away without sparing me a glance.

I ran after her, trying to catch up as she walked briskly up the stairs.

“Mom!”

She halted at my scream, raising a brow.

“What?”

“We're meeting him today?”

“Yes.”

“You never told me you had a new lover.” I shrugged, suddenly feeling betrayed.

She chuckled, “Well, it was meant to be a surprise.”

“But mom—”

I tried to argue but she cut me short.

“Don't but me, Sienna.” She warned and this time she looked too serious.

I took a step backward, shaking my head. “No.”

“Wear something that's not your oversized Mickey Mouse hoodie and jeans. You have to look pretty to show I've been taking good care of you and you aren't affected by your father's absence.”

“Well, I'm affected.” I replied sharply, “Why don't we just get over this phase before moving to another?”

“No dear,” she declined before I could even continue. “I admit that I made a mistake by choosing your father, who thought it good to leave me broken and never look back, but Davis is a good man and you'd like him.”

A big frown settled on my face as I repeated the name in my head.

“Davis? His name doesn't even sound sexy like dad's.”

“But he has looks that can kill and a good heart that isn't wrecked like your father's. By the way, this isn't even about sexiness, it's about what I want, for us.”

“M—mom.”

“Argh!” She groaned, pulling her hair, “Stop being stubborn and listen to me. I'm your mother and whatever I say is right. This isn't just about me, it's about us.”

Silence reigned for a moment before she spoke again.

“To live a perfect life, I need a perfect husband and father for my only daughter. Davis is the right one, sweetie.”

I didn't return the smile she flashed as she gave me a peck on the cheek.

No words came from me, I just let her leave in silence.

There was that big smile on mom's face as she walked away. She looked so excited.

My gaze fell.

I bit my fingers as I let numerous thoughts flood my mind.

Maybe I was the one with odd energy. Maybe Mom was really right.

We can't keep waiting for Dad to return to us. We needed to move on with our lives and find a new solace.

Dragging my feet up the stairs, a tear slipped down my cheek.

I really wanted Dad back in our lives. I wanted us three to be together as a happy family but that day didn't seem to be forthcoming.

Mom had made her decision and there was no turning back.

I heaved a deep sigh as our car halted in front of the big mansion.

Today was going so badly.

I was still trying to handle Soren's heartbreak and now I'm here again at my soon-to-be stepfather's house with a fake smile plastered to my face just to ‘impress’ him.

My footsteps fainted as we got to the doorstep.

I looked at Mom beside me with a frown plastered to my face.

Why did this place look so familiar? The exterior designs……I had seen them before now.

“Sienna?” Mom pulled my arm, “Come on, stop being dramatic.”

I shook off the thought. The fake smile returned.

Was I thinking too much? Hehehe, I needed to get a cold drink after this, or I might go insane.

I followed mom closely behind, my eyes darting around.

The door opened widely as she knocked, revealing a tall man with a broad smile on his lips.

I couldn't get my eyes off him for a moment.

Those eyes….. His height, his brown hair.

He looked like the old version of someone I knew— someone I had known before now.

I finally pulled myself together as Mom nudged me secretly.

“This must be Sienna, I guess.” The man beamed at me. His smile was contagious, and before I knew it, I found myself smiling back, but the curiosity in me still lingered.

“D—”

Mom cut in before I could speak.

“Ah, my bad. Meet Sienna—my daughter,” she turned to me, “Sienna, meet Davis—my fiancé and your soon-to-be father.”

“—stepfather.”

The smile on Davis' face faded a bit, and seeing this, Mom flashed me a glare that screamed ‘behave’!

I looked down, my eyes fixed on my shoes. Yeah, I flopped and I knew it.

It just felt….awkward to call someone else “father”.

It'd take time to get used to it.

“Oh Sienna, nice to meet you.” Davis patted me on my shoulder. “Let’s get to know each other better over dinner,” he gestured at the dining area. “I made that, especially, to welcome you, and I hope you'll love it.”

I nodded—one slow nod.

“Yeah, thank you.” My eyes wandered around the room and when my eyes caught the large frame hanging on the wall, my stomach tightened with a knot.

A bad feeling suddenly washed over me and I began to sweat profusely.

My nightmare—Soren; he was in the picture alongside his twin brother and father.

The family picture looked beautiful, but it made me cringe.

“Dad.” I heard a voice behind me.

Husky, deep, and sexy— I had heard that voice before now.

At first, I thought it was all in my head but it sounded too familiar to be unreal.

I snapped my head around, and at that second, his eyes locked with mine. I felt the world close in on me, everything taking a pause.

Soren.

He was there, standing tall in the hallway, his hands tucked in his pockets.

That arrogant curl at his lips—it never faded.

I fumbled with the hem of my dress, forgetting how to breathe.

God.

This isn't going to end well.