Chapter 6: Only Here For My Child!

Sienna’s Point Of View

The morning sun came through the big windows of the bedroom, shining across the red floor. My eyes opened, and for three seconds, I forgot where I was. Then I felt the strong arm around me.

Damon’s big arm was wrapped around my waist, holding me close against his chest. I could feel his breath on my neck. My heart started beating fast, and panic washed over me.

A deal, he had called it last night. But there was nothing business-like about the way his hand held me over my stomach, like I belonged to him.

I took a slow breath, trying to ignore the heat coming off his body. Slowly, I grabbed his wrist and tried to push his hand away. His grip grew tighter. "Where are you going?" Damon asked, his sleep-filled voice sounding low in my ear. "Let go of me, Damon," I said quickly. I pulled myself free and got off the big bed. I stood up, holding my nightgown, my heart beating fast as I turned to look at him. He sat up slowly, the blankets dropping to his waist. His rare, light-brown eyes watched me closely. "You don't have to run away just because you woke up next to me, Sienna," he said in a calm voice. "I’m not running, and I’m not something you own," I said, folding my arms across my chest to keep my distance. "Last night was about making sure the doctor got here to help Mia with her heart surgery. You got my name on a marriage paper, Damon, but you did not buy me. The moment Mia’s operation is over and she gets better, I am taking my children and leaving."

Damon’s jaw tightened. He got out of bed and stood up tall in front of me. He didn't rush toward me, but he looked strong and commanding. "You think this is for a short time?" he asked quietly, taking a step toward me. "You wear my ring. You sleep in my room. You think I’m going to let you walk back into being poor when people in this city want to hurt you?" "I lived through being poor for five years without your help!" I answered, stepping closer to him, refusing to back down. "I raised Leo, Toby, and Mia while you lived in your rich house! Don't act like you're saving me now!"

Damon stopped, his eyes narrowing as he looked at me. For a second, he looked surprised by my sharp words. But I didn't care what he thought. I only cared about my freedom. A soft knock came at the door. Carter, Damon’s worker, stepped inside carrying a tray and a file. "Good morning, Mr. Sterling. Mrs. Sterling," Carter said, looking down politely. "Dr. Vance is checking on the children in their room. Also, the credit card you ordered for Mrs. Sterling is ready." Carter put a black card on the table next to some fashion books.

I looked from the credit card to Damon. "What is this?" "A card with no limit," Damon said simply, putting on his shirt. "You are my wife now. You will not dress like a worker, and you will not worry about money. Buy whatever you or the kids need." "I don't want your money," I said in a cold voice. "I took a cleaning job to pay for Mia’s doctor bills. I did not agree to let you buy my life." "It’s not buying you, Sienna. It’s making sure you live well," Damon said, fixing his shirt buttons. "Just take it." Before I could say anything else, loud footsteps came from the hall. The doors pushed open without a knock. A tall woman stepped into the room. She wore an expensive white suit, her blonde hair was done neatly, and her light blue eyes looked around the room with anger. It was Clarissa Montclair... Again!. Clarissa looked at the bed, then looked straight at me in my nightgown. A mean smile came to her face. "So it’s true," Clarissa said, ignoring two security guards who tried to stop her. "You brought the cleaning girl into your main bedroom, Damon? A girl who cleaned floors yesterday?"

My body went cold, but I stood up tall. I knew how rich people tried to make poor people feel small. Damon moved fast, stepping right between Clarissa and me. "Clarissa. You have three seconds to turn around and leave my room before my guards throw you out." "She’s only after your money, Damon!" Clarissa shouted, pointing a finger at me. "She used those children to trick you! Everyone is laughing at you!" "They are not bad children!" I shouted, stepping out from behind Damon, closing my hands into tight balls. My voice sounded loud in the quiet room. "Talk about my children again, Clarissa, and I promise you will be sorry!"

Clarissa stepped back, surprised by my angry words. She expected a quiet girl who would hide. She did not expect a mother ready to fight. Damon did not stop me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a small smile touch his lips as he watched me stand up for myself. "You heard my wife," Damon said in a cold voice to his main guard. "Take Miss Montclair off the land. Cancel her family's pass to my company building. If she comes back here again, call the police."

"Damon! You can't do this to me!" Clarissa screamed as two huge guards grabbed her arms and pulled her out of the room. The door shut behind them with a loud bang. The room became silent. I stood there, breathing fast, my hands tight. I felt angry and upset that my old job was thrown in my face. Damon turned to me, his face looking a bit softer as he reached out his hand. "Sienna..." "Do NOT touch me," I said, stepping away from him. Damon stopped his hand, his eyes going dark. "She won't bother you or the kids again. I fixed it." "You didn't fix anything!" I said, my voice shaking with anger. "You brought all this trouble into my life! You think giving me a nice bed and a credit card fixes the fact that your ex-girlfriend just insulted my children in this room?" "I am protecting you," Damon said, his voice getting louder. "I am giving you the power to stand up to people like her!" "I don't want your power, Damon!" I shouted back, looking straight into his eyes. "I want my daughter healthy, and I want my freedom! You think you’re saving me, but to me, you’re just another rich man trying to control my life. Keep your money, keep your credit cards, and keep your guards. I am staying in this house for Mia, but do not think I am giving up."

Without waiting for him to reply, I turned around, grabbed my coat, and walked out to the kids' room, closing the door firmly behind me. Behind me, Damon stood alone in the quiet room, watching me leave and probably just realizing that his money would not buy the woman he wanted most.