Chapter 5

SIENNA THORNE

Xander was definitely out of his mind. 

“Xander, you're hurting me.” 

“I'm sorry baby but I can't let you leave,” 

I took a deep breath and tried to suppress the panic I was feeling. 

Xander had always been so soft spoken towards me in the past and I'd have never believed he had this side to him. 

“Xander, why are you doing this?” I asked. 

“We need to talk, you can't just leave me.” 

“What do you want to talk about?” I decided to play along. 

He blinked in surprise and smiled. “I want to explain everything to you,” 

“Okay, I'm listening.” 

He released my hand and placed his at the small of my back, guiding me towards the bed. “Sit,” 

I did as I was told with batted breath. 

He sat beside me and held my hand in his. “Disne was a mistake. It was a drunken mistake that shouldn't have happened.” 

I nodded. “So you are admitting that you slept with Diane?” I kept my tone even as I asked not wanting him to suspect I was seething on the inside. 

“I'm sorry, it wasn't supposed to happen.” 

I nodded. “It's only, I forgive you Xander.” 

He glanced at me, doubt in his eyes. “Are you sure?” 

My head shook on its own. “Yes, I'm sure. It was a mistake and I believe you.” 

He swallowed. “So what does this mean for us?” 

A lump formed in my throat as I struggled to find the right words to say without setting him off. “I don't know but I have forgiven you.” 

“I love you Sienna,” He smiled as he squeezed my hand. “I'll be right back. I just need to use the bathroom.” He chuckled as he walked off. 

My head bobbed in response as I planned my escape route. 

He stopped at the door and turned to look at me. “Don't go anywhere,” 

“I'm here,” I squeaked, sounding like a little mouse. 

He nodded and then disappeared out of sight. 

I waited a while for him to get busy and once I felt it was right, I ran towards the door. 

I ran out and took the stairs hastily to the living room. 

“Sienna!” His voice called out and it only made me run faster. 

For some unknown reason the stairs seemed a lot more than usual. 

“I told you not to go anywhere baby, we weren't done talking,” 

“Dad!” I screamed as I got closer to the bottom of the stairs. 

“Sienna, stop yelling and come to the dining room!” He yelled back and I continued running down. 

I glanced behind me to see if Xander was closer and I wished I hadn't because the next minute I tripped. 

“Sienna!” Xander screamed. 

I also screamed and then everything went dark as my head hit the ground. 

*** 

The beeping of machines was the first sound I heard as I came to. 

My ears were ringing and my head was aching badly. 

“We”re not sure when she'll wake up but for now, you just have to keep an open mind,” 

“So you're saying she might never wake up?” I heard Xander's voice ask and looked around but I was the only one in the room. 

“The force of the fall might have lasting consequences…” 

“What kind of consequences?” He asked and I held my breath, waiting. 

“She might not remember anything from recent years.” 

Silence descended in the hall and I realized Xander and probably my father -even though I hadn't heard his voice-were soaking it all in. 

“Will she wake up?” He asked and I smiled as tears clouded my vision. 

Maybe, in his own twisted way, he did care about me. 

“Time will tell,” 

The sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway and then the sound of the doorknob shaking caused me to jerk. 

I closed my eyes and laid still not ready to reveal that I was awake and could remember everything. 

“Sienna?” Xander's voice called out my name but I didn't move. “Just as the doctor predicted, it might take a while.” 

And then he laughed, the sound robotic and almost evil. 

“This is perfect actually, this way I can keep you all to myself.” 

A shiver ran through my body at his words but I didn't have time to process those words because he started speaking again. 

“Diane, Diane is or was a means to an end. Her husband, your father still has his company which is making millions which I need to restore the Smith family name.” 

A lump formed in my throat as I listened to him resisting the urge to jump off the bed and strangle him. 

“It was nothing personal, everything was just business, like this marriage.” 

Movement to my left had me itching to check what was happening but I fought it back. 

“With you out of the picture since the doctor says you won't remember anything, I could finally take the company away and start over with it in my control.” He laughed again. “Your father loves me and even though I think he's a fool, I can't complain as long as I get what I want.” 

Tears pricked the back of tears and threatened to find their way down my cheeks but I clenched my eyes. 

Hold still just a while longer…

“I was going to divorce you yesterday before you threw that party and someone sent you that video.” he snorted. “Bunch of snitches, don't know how to mind their damn business but anyway, you're madly in love with me and you'll stay with me if I begged hard enough.” 

“When you wake up all vulnerable, lost and sore with no recollection of what happened, I'll step and be your reminder. I'll help you rewind the clock and toss you out when I finally have what I truly desire.” 

The door opened just then and I heaved a sigh of relief. 

“Mr Smith I'd need you to leave the room so I can administer her medication.” 

I opened my eyes a bit and saw a woman standing there dressed in shrubs facing Xander with her back turned towards me. 

Help was finally here. 

“She's my wife, why do I need to leave?” He asked stubbornly and my heart sank. 

The nurse sighed and patted his shoulder. “I know you're worried about your wife sir but believe me, she's in good hands.” She walked forward and used her body to block his access to the bed. “Besides I'd advise you to go home and get some fresh clothes for her so she can feel more comfortable which would hasten the healing process.” 

He opened his mouth to argue and I held my breath. 

“I'll call you if anything happens.” she promised and my heart stopped as I waited for his answer. 

“Fine.” He sidestepped her and I immediately laid still again as he leaned down. 

His lips brushed my forehead and I almost recoiled. “I don't need to worry about you running away anyway since you are in a coma. I'll be back,” 

As soon I heard his retreating footsteps in the hallway, I sat up and the nurse screamed as she turned to face me. 

“What the-?” She looked like she had seen a ghost and I couldn't blame her. 

“I'm awake, please don't scream. I need your help.” 

She blinked and rubbed her eyes, surprise evident in them. “Mrs Smith?” 

I nodded and she took a step back then another until her back was against the door. 

I leaned forward thinking she was going to run for her life but then she turned and locked the door. 

“How long have you been awake?” She asked, eyeing me consciously. 

“A while. Please I need your help, I have to get out of here.” 

She stepped forward and leaned closer to me. “Don't make a sound.” Then she turned back and said, “I think you're all set. Hopefully in a week you'll wake up and we can let you go home to your family, especially your husband. He's worried sick about you.” 

There was silence and she smiled and turned to face me again. “I had to make sure no one was listening.” 

“Thank you.” 

“What do you need?” 

“Do you have your phone?” I asked, reaching into my pocket for the card I kept there, the one belonging to the stranger. “I need to make a call.” 

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a picture. 

Grabbing it, I quickly dialed the number on the card and waited as it began to ring. 

Shortly after, his gruff voice came through the speaker and filled the entire room. “Who is this?” 

“It's me!” I almost screamed as tears began rolling down my cheeks. 

“Mrs Smith, have you decided?” 

I nodded as if he could see me and chuckled to myself. “Yes I have. I'm ready.” 

“Where are you? I'll pick you up.” 

I looked up at the nurse for help and she nodded. “True Heart Hospital,” 

“Okay,” 

And then the line went dead. 

The tears began rolling down my cheeks and I didn't hold back.

“It's okay ma, you're safe now.” 

But was I truly? What if Xander came before Mr Anthony came to pick

me?

Someone tugged on the doorknob from outside and I jerked. 

“It's okay, just lie back down.” The nurse whispered and I wiped my face with my hands as I laid down. 

“Why is the door locked?”