Chapter 1

SIENNA THORNE

Tonight will be an unforgettable one. 

That was what I told myself as I tied strings around four balloons and hung them to the nail on the wall. 

It was my third wedding anniversary with my husband Xander Smith and I was going all out. 

Ours had never been a love marriage, merely a business transaction but I had fallen for him about a year and six months in and now, after three years, I was ready to fight for that love. 

This party was my brilliant idea of getting rid of the transactional side of marriage and ushering us into the honeymooney, lovers phase of it. 

I never envisioned a loveless marriage for myself when I dreamt of my future but when my family was in crises, I stepped in, no questions asked - not that anyone would have listened to my opinion. 

Well except Xander. 

Right from the beginning, he treated me differently from my family. 

To him, my opinion counted, to him, I mattered and I could ask for anything I wanted. 

That was why tonight, I was going to ask him for this one small favor. 

I wanted kids, a dog, with a picket fence, the whole nine yards. 

Once the balloons were up, I stepped aside to admire my work. 

With no prior training whatsoever, I seemed to know how to decorate a room beautifully. 

The red roses stacked together in a vase had been handmade but no one would notice because of how exquisite they looked. 

Maybe I was blowing my own horn a little. The guests would decide if I deserved a pass mark or not. 

With that thought in mind, I made finishing touches to the details and then cleaned up, noting how late it was. 

The guests would be arriving soon and I had to be ready to receive them in my evening gown, not my penguin pajamas that Xander had gotten me for my birthday. 

It was cute but not exactly hosting material. 

Half an hour later, my makeup was done and I was standing at the door in my evening gown with heels to match, shaking hands and giving side hugs where necessary. 

“Thank you for coming,” I whispered so often as I ushered in guest after guest. 

The living room that had been empty a few minutes ago was now bustling with people chatting and socializing with one another. 

“Everything looks great, Mrs. Smith. Congratulations on your anniversary,” Lilian, Xander's personal assistant said as she rushed towards me and wrapped her arms around me. 

I chuckled and hugged her back, inhaling the sweet scent of her perfume. “Vanilla suits you,” I whispered and she laughed pulling away to meet my eyes. 

“Mr Smith will be here soon and I'm sure he's going to love everything.” 

That was what I was counting on. “Thank you Lilian, enjoy yourself and eat as much as you want.” 

“Don't mind if I do!” She chorused and made a beeline for the food table. 

I laughed and shook my head as I turned to the next set of guests. 

The pleasant smile on my face froze as I spotted him. “Father,” I mumbled as he got closer. 

“Sienna. Was there really a need for such fanfare?” He asked brushing past me without a hug or even a pat to the shoulder. 

“Well at least she had the decency to dress up,” came another voice. 

I hissed and narrowed my eyes at the woman walking by his side. “Diane,” I practically spat out her name. 

“I need a drink if I'm going to survive this charade you've put together. Surely you bought the good stuff?” She mocked as she and my father walked past me into the house. 

My fingers itched to grab her synthetic hair and drag her on the floor with it but I held back. 

It was quarter past right when the last set of guests walked in and Xander was still a no-show. 

Unlike what Lilian had told me, soon apparently didn't mean quick enough. 

I shut the door with a heavy heart and occupied myself with hosting duties to get my mind off Xander and where else he'd rather be on such a special day. 

He has never missed any of them before and always sent me flowers. 

Today however, no flowers had been sent and no sign of him anywhere which was unlike him. 

“Why are you standing in a corner feeling sorry for yourself?” My father's sharp tone cut through my thoughts and I jumped in fright. 

“Father, I…Xander isn't here yet and I'm worried.” 

He snorted and gestured towards the crowd of people chatting and having fun. “You did this. You chose to involve people in your private affair so you'll deal with the consequences. But if you dare embarrass this family in the process then I'd be forced to cut you off for good.” 

My heart skipped a beat at his threat. It wasn't my first time hearing it, however it still stung as if it were. 

He didn't care that his daughter was anxious about something, he didn't care that I seemed unhappy but all his focus was on the family's reputation. 

I nodded solemnly and stepped away from him with tears welling up in my eyes. 

“Oh you poor thing.” Diane's mocking voice reached me and I wanted to dig a hole in the ground and disappear. “After going through all this trouble, you might just be humiliated.” 

“It's none of your business Diane.” I hissed and glared at her, resisting the urge to dig my nails into her face until I drew blood. 

The family's reputation…

My father's voice rang in my head and I took a step back from Diane. “You should go back to the chocolate fountain and have your fill. Nothing for you to see.” 

She scoffed and I dreaded what she'd say next however she simply turned and left. 

A sigh of relief left my mouth. 

My father was right, I had to focus on the guests for now until Xander showed up. 

As if thinking about him had summoned him, the door opened just then. 

Shrieks filled the room until Xander's face came into view and everyone relaxed. 

“What is all this?” He asked, looking and sounding surprised. 

Quickly, I made my way to him and hugged him tight. “Happy anniversary babe. Do you like it?” 

He eyed everything, taking in all the people and then turned back to look at me. “You didn't have to do all this, it's too much.” 

I frowned as his words pierced my heart. My dad had said the same thing. “I wanted to make it special for us.” I told him and he chuckled. 

“A quiet evening would have been special.” He mumbled under his breath but my ears caught it and my joy at seeing him deflated. 

“You should go get changed and I'll wait here for you.” I took a step back to give him room to walk past me. 

He staggered forward and laughed when he almost tripped over his own two feet. 

It was then I realized something. 

“Are you drunk right now?” I asked in horror and he giggled. He actually giggled! 

“I only drank a little.” He said and more giggles followed. 

Could the night get any worse? 

“Oh dear, what do we have here?” Diane rushed towards us and snorted when she saw Xander. “Are you drunk? What a party this is Sienna.” 

I glared at her and then grabbed Xander's hand. “Come on, I'll take you to our room.” 

But he pushed me away and reached for Diane. “Take me away from this loud woman.” 

I stepped back in shock at his behaviour. 

“Of course dear, follow me.” Diane sent me an evil smirk as she led him away. 

After they left, I stood there in a daze wondering what just happened. 

“Was that Xander?” My father asked. 

I nodded, still too stunned to speak. 

“Why are you just standing there? Go to him and fix your face before you draw too much attention.” 

I nodded in agreement and then turned to the guests who were already watching me, some whispering. 

“Please help yourselves, I'll go

get the other celebrant and then we'll cut the cake.” I announced as I ran after them. 

I had no idea what an unforgettable night I was about to have.