Ch. 831..840
Chapter 831
Sienna knew what Vivian was implying. It turned out that Vivian was simply another pawn in Alex's game.
"Was it you who ordered your men to cripple my husband and toss him into the ocean?" Sienna asked, struggling to contain her rage.
With a sneer, Alex said, "I killed him and thought he was dead. I never imagined he'd survive, let alone return to his post and continue to thwart my plans."
Panic washed over Sienna. It appeared that the drug lord Daniel had been pursuing was, in fact, a woman—a formidable one of that. Worry gnawed at Sienna as she pondered whether Daniel would be endangered if he came to her rescue.
Alex settled back onto the couch, reached for the wine on the table, and took a sip. Through clenched teeth, she asked, "Do you know how much money Daniel has cost me over the years?" Sienna stayed silent.
Meanwhile, Vivian was gripped by panic and at a loss for what to do next. She felt an overwhelming urge to flee.
"I've lost at least 50 billion," Alex said. Her face twisted with rage as she glared at the liquid swirling in the glass.
Her breath quickened and she continued venomously, "First, he infiltrated my ranks, taking out my men one by one and sabotaging my business.
"Then, he took it further by persistently targeting me, dealing blow after blow to my business. I'll be the one who ends up dead if I don't kill him. I'll ensure your death isn't too gruesome."
Raising an eyebrow, Alex turned to Sienna and said slowly, "You and Daniel will meet your end at Vivian's hands after all, with a single gunshot. No one will defile your body and no drugs will be involved. It'll be clean and simple so the police won't suspect a thing about me."
Overwhelmed by panic, Vivian got to her knees before Alex. "Alex, are you setting me up to take the fall?"
Alex caressed Vivian's chin, her voice sly yet gentle as she said, "Didn't you agree to kill Daniel for me?"
Vivian's voice shook with fear. "I-I did but I don't want to die! How could I possibly dare to kill him without your backing?"
Alex patted Vivian's cheeks and said, "I have plenty of men who could kill him. I wouldn't even need you if I weren't afraid of his brother. Get a grip."
"I don't want to die, Alex!" Vivian pleaded and cried out of fear.
Alex wiped Vivian's tears away, her voice soft and reassuring. "Don't be scared sweetheart. Nobody wants to die. But you chose this path, and there's nothing more I can do for yout."
"I-I won't kill Daniel anymore. I won't kill them..." Vivian's voice faltered, her face pale with fear.
With a smile, Alex quietly picked up Vivian's phone, unlocked it, and sent a message to Daniel. Vivian watched Alex in panic.
Later, Alex returned the phone to Vivian, who checked the message that had just been sent.
"Daniel, your wife is here with me. If
you want to see her alive, come
meet us alone on a spe weap.ne
Leave the police and any weapons behind. It's just you that we want."
The message included a photo of Sienna and their location.
Terrified, Vivian glanced up at Alex.
Alex crossed her legs and leaned back into the couch. She said nonchalantly, "Once Daniel boards the ship, my snipers will eliminate him. His wife will join him in death."
"What about me?" Vivian asked. Her face was ghostly white.
Alex offered a smile in response.
A chill ran through Vivian. Eventually, she was trapped in the fate of being a pawn and was forced to shoulder the blame.
She collapsed to the ground and wept bitterly, consumed by regret as the full weight of reality settled upon her.
Chapter 832
Chapter 832
"Take Daniel's wife downstairs and lock her up. Guard her well and don't touch her. Understand? I want no traces that could lead the police to us," Alex commanded. "Yes, boss," the bodyguards replied in unison.
They approached Sienna and gestured politely, "Please, follow us."
They carefully avoided touching her.
Sienna gave Vivian one last scornful glance, believing Vivian deserved whatever was coming her way.
Before, all Sienna wished for was for Daniel to come to her rescue. But now, she prayed he would stay away, steer clear of the ship, and save himself from the deadly trap. She simply hoped Daniel would stay alive and not risk looking for her alone.
Sienna was locked in a room, guarded by several bodyguards stationed outside.
As the minutes passed, her anxiety escalated. She felt a wave of despair as she gazed out at the sea from the window. Feeling utterly helpless, she murmured, "Daniel, please don't come. I beg you. Don't try to save me."
Sienna's heart ached, throbbing painfully. The thought of Daniel being shot as soon as he set foot on the ship sent a sharp pang through her, causing her to tremble and her breath to catch in her throat. Tears flowed down her cheeks uncontrollably.
She lowered her head and touched her lower abdomen, speaking tearfully, "Sweetie, let's face death together. There's nothing to fear. We won't take your dad with us this time, okay? He needs to stay alive and continue to thrive."
Time dragged on, and hunger began to gnaw at Sienna. She turned to the window and saw a speedboat slowly pulling away. Pressing her face against the glass, she watched intently, hoping it wasn't the speedboat bringing Daniel aboard the ship.
The boat accelerated, yet Sienna could still discern Alex's silhouette. Alex had rigged the cruise ship with traps and was lying in wait for Daniel to board.
Yet, Alex had escaped first, leaving the others to deal with the consequences. It seemed Vivian would be left to shoulder the blame for Daniel's and Sienna's deaths.
With a heavy sigh, Sienna sank back onto the edge of the bed. She lowered her head and stared at the ring on her finger. A wave of sadness overwhelmed her.
Suddenly, a muffled bang from the bathroom startled Sienna, her eyes snapping to the door as anxiety clawed at her. Moments later, the sound of water gushing from the faucet reached her ears.
Sienna's heart pounded as she rose
and walked toward the room's exit. Just as she was about to knock on the door she hesitated. She
awaited inside the bathroom
reasoned that whatever danger. né
couldn't be worse than the threats lurking outside the room.
With a deep breath, she gathered her courage and edged closer to the bathroom. Trying to dispel her fear, she reassured herself that it was probably just a broken pipe or something. After all, it was daytime, and ghosts weren't real.
Her breathing became shallow, her palms slick with sweat, and her legs nearly buckled as she slowly turned the handle. After pushing the door open, she didn't dare to enter but instead peered cautiously into the bathroom.
The bathroom was empty, yet the faucet was on and water spilled endlessly into the sink. Sienna wondered who could have turned it on. The atmosphere felt eerie.
Taking a deep breath to steel her
nerves, she stepped into the bathroom to shut off the faucet. Suddenly, as she looked into the mirror, she noticed a section of the ceiling was missing. Her face went pale. She spun around and stumbled back against the sink, her eyes drawn upward to the hole in the ceiling.
Then, a rustling sound from behind the shower curtain made her heart leap. Before she could scream, a dark figure burst forth and clamped a hand over her mouth. Her cries
were muffled, her face turned
deathly pale, and her eyes
dened
With terror as she met the intruder's
gaze.
Chapter 833
Chapter 833
Sienna's heart pounded fiercely as if trying to escape her chest. She felt as though her insides were about to burst with fear and a sharp pain gripped her lower abdomen.
The moment she saw Daniel's face, she couldn't suppress her tears any longer. She took a deep breath, overwhelmed by the urge to cry. Her tears weren't out of excitement or sorrow, but terror.
Daniel gently kissed her forehead and whispered, "Darling, don't be afraid. I'm here now. Just stay quiet."
Clutching her painful abdomen, Sienna slowly crouched on the floor as her legs buckled from fear.
Daniel quickly steadied her. He turned the faucet back on and asked in a lowered voice, "What's wrong?"
"Why did you have to scare me like that?" Sienna whimpered, her eyes brimming with tears.
Ridden with guilt, Daniel explained, "I wasn't sure it was you in the room. I had to stay hidden until I could be certain."
Sienna frowned as she endured the waves of pain coming from her lower abdomen. She asked, "When did you arrive?"
"I boarded before the ship even set sail," Daniel replied, his concern growing as he noticed her pale complexion. "What's wrong? Are you feeling ill?"
Sienna kept her voice low as she grumbled, "You almost scared me into a miscarriage."
The word "miscarriage" struck Daniel like a blow. His face drained of color as panic set in. "Darling, y-you're pregnant? Since when? I didn't know—"
Sienna quickly placed her hand over his mouth, casting a nervous glance outside the bathroom. She rushed to shut the bathroom door and turned on the shower to mask their conversation. The sound of running water soon filled the bathroom.
Daniel's complexion remained ashen, his breathing erratic. He looked at Sienna, his eyes reflecting a storm of agitation and guilt.
He thought this should have been a moment of pure joy of discovering they were expecting the child he had always wanted. Instead, it was overshadowed by the disaster he had unwittingly caused. Daniel couldn't bear the outcome, his eyes reddened with guilt as he held Sienna's hand. His voice shook as he mumbled, "I'm sorry, Darling. I'm such an idiot."
Puzzled, Sienna asked, "What are you talking about?"
"Our baby's gone..." Daniel murmured, his voice breaking as he bowed his head.
Although Sienna felt pain in her lower abdomen, she hadn't yet confirmed whether they had lost the baby. She drew the shower curtain between them and said, "Wait here for a moment. Let me check." Clenching his fists, Daniel waited as a tumult of worry swirled inside him.
After a while, Sienna pulled back the curtain and exhaled in relief. "There's no blood. It should be okay. I'll visit the hospital for a check-up once we get out of here."
Still fraught with concern, Daniel held her waistband and said, "Let me have a look."
"No," Sienna said shyly.
"Let me see for myself. I won't be at peace otherwise."
"I said no." Despite being husband and wife, Sienna still felt embarrassed.
"Does it still hurt?" Daniel asked softly.
Sienna shook her head. "It only hurt for a moment when you startled me. It's fine now."
Daniel pulled her into a tight
embrace, his arms enveloping her securely. He looked up at the ceiling. Tears welled up and his voice was thick with emotion as he asked "When did you find out about the baby? Why didn't you tell me?"
Sienna wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning against his chest as she whispered, "I only found out a little while back. I went to the
hospital for a check-up. Right when I left the hospital, I was forced into a
car and brought directly to this cruise ship."
Daniel caressed her back and kissed her forehead, his emotions still running high. "We need to get off this ship and get you to see a
ctor
as soon as possible. We can't any fisks with your health or the baby's."
Chapter 834
Chapter 834
Sienna looked up from Daniel's embrace and asked, "So, what should we do now?"
"Alex has left, but the ship is swarming with hitmen waiting for me to show up," Daniel said.
Surprised, Sienna asked, "You know Alex?"
Pointing upward at the ceiling, Daniel explained, "I've been hiding in the pipes above us and overheard everything you discussed in the cabin. They won't make a move as long as I stay out of sight."
"Then, how do we get out of here?" Sienna asked.
"Let's wait for rescue," Daniel responded.
Sienna looked at him, confusion crossing her face.
Daniel pulled out his phone and flashed it before her eyes.
Sienna was shocked.
Smiling confidently, Daniel continued to contact Ryan, describing their situation on the ship and coordinating a rescue plan.
"Honey, are you going to hide in the bathroom this whole time?" Sienna asked.
Daniel whispered in her ear, "The room is under surveillance, and their men could barge in at any moment. It's safer for me in here." "Okay."
"You should leave quickly to avoid any suspicion."
Sienna hummed in acknowledgment. Holding his hand, she said, "You must be careful. Be safe."
Daniel caressed her cheek. "Don't worry. Trust me and the police."
Sienna nodded in response. She turned off the running water and calmly stepped out of the bathroom, settling on the edge of the bed. Her thoughts lingered on Daniel even as the door remained shut between them.
It was nightfall when someone from outside delivered a meal for Sienna. Wary of poisoning, Sienna chose to go hungry rather than risk eating the food.
In the dead of night, Sienna suddenly heard noises coming from outside. Anxious, she leaned against the window to look outside and saw a large fishing boat approaching.
She went to the bathroom to look for Daniel. Lowering her voice, she said, "Honey, it looks like some fishermen are approaching us in their boat."
"They're not fishermen. They're
plainclothes coast guards," Daniel explained. His face brightened up with a confident smile. "They're
pretending their boat had an
accident and are coming over to ask for help."
Sienna was astonished.
Suddenly, gunfire erupted. Startled, Sienna threw herself into Daniel's arms.
He carried her to the shower room and yanked the shower curtain closed to shield her. He ordered, "Stay here no matter what you hear. I'll be back."
Anxiety overwhelmed Sienna, and she said with a tremor in her voice, "I'll be waiting for you. Please, come back to me."
Daniel hummed in acknowledgment before leaving the bathroom. The door clicked shut.
Tears silently began to stream down
Sienna's face. She finally grasped why Shelly had always opposed her relationship with Daniel. Being a police officer meant living on the brink of danger and always brushing shoulders with death.
While Daniel faced these threats head-on, it was Sienna who felt the crushing weight of agony and fear which was almost unbearable. All she could do was silently pray for his safe return. The sound of gunfire outside intensified. Sienna could even hear the scuffle. The sound was so distinct that she was convinced Daniel was fighting off the bodyguards right at the door.
Another gunshot rang in her ears. Then, the sounds of the scuffle faded away. Sienna's heart lurched painfully. She clutched the shower curtain as tears cascaded down unchecked. Deep in her heart, she fervently prayed for Daniel's safety. She and their unborn child needed him. They had to return home together.
She hoped with every fiber of her being that he wouldn't leave her and their child behind. He had to be safe.
Chapter 835
Chapter 835
The wait was excruciatingly long. Sienna hid in the bathroom, frozen with fear.
Though overwhelmed by concerns, she was too terrified to step outside. She couldn't bear the thought of complicating things for Daniel. Waiting, as torturous as it was, seemed her only option.
Tears flowed down her cheeks, unstoppable like water breaching a dam. Her heart pounded in her throat painfully. She sent up one silent prayer after another.
Time had never seemed so endless as it did now. Sienna crouched on the floor, hugging her legs and burying her face in her knees as she wept silently. The ordeal seemed to stretch on for an eternity. At last, the door creaked open, and Daniel's voice floated to her. "Darling, why are you on the floor?"
Lifting her tear-streaked face, Sienna saw Daniel kneeling beside her, reaching out to help her up. Without hesitation, she lunged forward and threw her arms around his neck, sobbing loudly now that she was no longer alone.
Her pregnancy hormones were in full swing, amplifying her emotions and making her tears flow even more freely.
Daniel felt a sharp ache in his heart. He held Sienna close and gently stroked her back, trying to soothe her. "What's wrong? Did something frighten you? Why are you crying so much?"
Between sobs, Sienna whimpered, "W-Why did you take so long to come back?"
Catching the worry and sadness in her voice, Daniel reassured her gently. "I'm sorry, Darling. I came back later than expected, but there's no need to worry. I'm totally fine."
Slowly, Sienna's sobs began to subside as she relaxed in his arms.
After a moment, Daniel scooped her up.
Flustered, Sienna squirmed, saying, "You don't have to carry me. I can walk. Just put me down."
"I want to carry you," Daniel said, moving toward outside with Sienna in his arms.
"Your colleagues are out there, aren't they?"
"Yeah."
"Then, hurry up and put me down! It would be embarrassing if they saw us like this."
With a faint smile, Daniel said, "I'm carrying my own wife. What does it matter if they see?"
Unable to argue with that, Sienna buried her flushed face in his chest.
Along the way, she noticed a great number of plainclothes police officers escorting handcuffed criminals from the ship's cabins. The crew members and the captain
along with other hitmen, werel
all
restrained and handcuffed on the deck.
The cruise ship was en route to Phoenicia.
Daniel gently set Sienna down on a long bench on the deck.
Ryan approached and greeted her with a warm smile. "Hello, Sienna."
"Hello, Officer Campbell," Sienna replied politely.
"Are you alright?" Ryan asked.
"I'm fine."
"Sienna, thanks to your quick thinking and Dan's bravery, we managed to uncover the mastermind and capture so many people," Ryan said appreciatively.
Sienna felt undeserving of such praise. She had done little more than send Daniel a distress message. She offered an awkward smile and turned away, her gaze drifting toward the handcuffed criminals on the deck.
Among them, she noticed Vivian.
Vivian kept her head down, her expression despondent and pitiful. There was always something contemptible about someone who seemed so pitiable. She had had a bright and promising future, yet she had squandered it herself,
She should have been grateful that Daniel had boarded the ship in time to apprehend these criminals. In a way, he had saved Vivian's life preventing her from being
ein
manipulated further. After alba stint in prison was far preferable to death.
When Vivian turned her head, her eyes met Sienna's. A flash of guilt and regret crossed Vivian's face before she quickly looked away. Tears welled up in her eyes as she was overwhelmed with remorse. Choices truly mattered. If she had forsaken her dream of stardom to stay with Daniel, could her fate have been different?
Back then, she was too superficial. She dismissed Daniel as just another wealthy heir with an impressive title but little substance.
Chapter 836
Chapter 836
Daniel never took Vivian to upscale venues for their date. He never showered her with lavish gifts, and even his car was a modest, locally-made model.
Vivian often pondered the fact that Daniel's parents held the Morrison family's wealth, and their business was set to be inherited by his brothers, who were actively engaged in business operations.
As a police officer, Daniel earned a humble salary and faced an unpredictable career path. Realizing this, Vivian decided to let go of their relationship to chase her dreams of stardom. Now, her choices from the past had taught her hard lessons.
Meanwhile, the cruise ship neared the dock. Amidst the bustle, Daniel coordinated with his colleagues to transfer a group of handcuffed criminals off the ship for an official handover. Sienna stepped carefully off the ship on her own. Suddenly, she heard a voice from behind.
"Let me help you, Sienna," said a plainclothes police officer.
She turned and offered the officer a polite smile. "It's fine. Thank you."
"Alright, just be careful then."
Curious, Sienna asked, "Did you catch Alex?"
"Alex? Who's that?"
Sienna's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with sudden alarm. They probably didn't know Alex was the mastermind. Had she inadvertently exposed something that could jeopardize Daniel? "It's nothing," Sienna said, her feet carrying her toward Daniel.
Upon reaching him, she tugged at his hand. "Honey."
Daniel turned, his attention shifting from the criminal he was handing over to a colleague. He took Sienna's hand and asked, "What's the matter?" Anxiously, Sienna pointed to the man behind her. "I accidentally mentioned Alex's name. That guy is your colleague, right? He asked me who's Alex." Offering a reassuring smile, Daniel said, "It's okay. Don't worry about it."
"But what if he's a spy? If he realizes Alex's identity is exposed, he might warn him."
Realizing the gravity of her concern, Daniel said, "I'll handle it. Let's get you home first."
"It's okay. I'll just take a taxi." Sienna rejected.
Daniel's voice took on a grave tone. "Your safety comes first no matter how pressing my work is. I'm taking you home."
With a faint smile, Sienna nodded and returned home together with Daniel.
At the doorstep, Sienna insisted Daniel return to his duties, yet he wasn't convinced she was safe.
He watched over her as she entered the house and asked Camille to ensure her well-being. He hesitated at the doorway, torn about leaving. "Aren't you busy?" Sienna asked.
With a rueful smile, Daniel pulled Sienna into his arms and kissed her deeply, pouring all his unspoken words into the gesture. After the kiss, he left the house. Exhausted from the day, Sienna freshened up and lay down in her room, losing track of time as she rested.
Suddenly, she was jolted awake by a
knock at the door. Groggily, she
threw on a light jacket and went to answer i As soon as she opened the door, she was greeted by Florence, who wore a kind and excited expression. Accompanying her was the family doctor,
"Sienna! That's wonderful news. Dan told me you're pregnant. He's swamped with work and can't be here, so he sent me to check on you. I've brought our family doctor to give you a check-up.
"How are you feeling? Is anything bothering you?" Florence spoke rapidly with a wide smile, her emotions running high. "Thank you, Florence," Sienna said with gratitude. She welcomed Florence and the family doctor into the room.
Florence took Sienna's hand and led her back to the bed as she softly advised, "Since this is your first pregnancy, don't hesitate to ask me or your sisters-in-law any questions you might have. Just let us know if anything makes you uncomfortable. And if you're craving something, tell me-"
Warmth spread through Sienna's heart as she listened to Florence's caring words. Florence's kind and gentle smile brought Shelly to mind, filling Sienna with a sense of comfort and joy.
Chapter 837
Chapter 837
Sienna smiled and nodded at Florence. After the family doctor checked Sienna and confirmed she was fine, he left.
Although Daniel was away that day, Florence's visit sparked a series of visits from Sienna's sisters-in-law, each arriving one after another with gifts in hand. They congratulated Sienna and exchanged pregnancy tips, advising Sienna on what to watch out for.
Each of them was already a mother, and their combined knowledge of child-rearing was as extensive as any obstetrician's, turning them into walking encyclopedias.
As night fell, Sienna found herself wide awake in bed. She had napped earlier in the day. She lay there, staring out at the night sky from her balcony, her thoughts drifting to Daniel.
Anxiety gnawed at her. She couldn't shake the fear that Daniel might not be happy about the baby. Restlessly, she reached for her phone and opened WhatsApp, about to send Daniel a message.
Yet, she hesitated, reasoning that he was too swamped with work to come home, let alone check his phone.
Feeling disheartened, Sienna was about to close WhatsApp when she spotted some new activity in the usually quiet Morrison family group chat.
Lindsey had created the group, which included all the relatives. Out of politeness, no one had left, even though conversations were typically sparse. Sienna tapped into the chat and discovered that Lindsey, Gary, and Florence were actively discussing something.
Gary: "Now that the kids are all married with kids of their own, I truly feel like my life is complete."
Lindsey: "Gary, does Dan have a child, too?"
Gary: "Yes, and it's wonderful news!"
Florence: "Lindsey, Sienna is pregnant. She and Dan are doing well and blissfully happy together."
Lindsey: "No need to worry, Florence. I wouldn't dare upset Dan's wife, given his temper. That's just not something I'm capable of."
Florence: "Sienna respects you. It's all about mutual respect, right?"
Gary: "We're all family here. Let's be mindful of our words and avoid hurting each other. A happy home brings a happy life." Lindsey: "Whatever!"
Lindsey: "Gary, I consulted a fortune teller who said that since you and your sons only have boys, it's destined that Dan's baby will be another boy." Florence: "Lindsey, don't be so certain. Putting too much faith in superstitions isn't wise."
Lindsey: "Florence, don't be such a skeptic. These readings are highly accurate. I'm sure it will be a boy if it's Daniel's child."
Florence: "Lindsey, you need to take that back."
Lindsey: "Why? I'm confident it's going to be another boy in Dan's family."
Lindsey: "Having sons is a good
thing. They can carry on the family name and inheritance. A daughter on the other hand, eventually marries and joins another family. It feels like raising daughters doesn't add the same value."
Lindsey: "Florence, maybe you should suggest to Dan's wife that she prays for a son at church. All the brothers have sons. It would be a pity if she broke that pattern with a daughter."
Only Lindsey spoke in the group.
Sienna set her phone down and closed her eyes, feeling an overwhelming weight pressing down on her chest. It was suffocating.
Did wealthy families prefer sons?
Sienna rolled over in bed, shut her eyes, and felt herself caught in a painful spiral of stress. She was troubled by the thought that Daniel disliked children, while the family elders showed a clear preference for boys.
Chapter 838
Chapter 838
Sienna had always been unlucky, and she couldn't help but wonder what misfortunes the future might still hold for her. That night, she tossed and turned, struggling to find sleep.
When she awoke the next morning, she felt utterly drained. After a few rough minutes of vomiting in the bathroom, Sienna went downstairs. She managed only a light breakfast before heading to the study to work.
Halfway through her work, Sienna found herself unable to ignore the nagging discomfort within her. She slumped over the desk and stared blankly out the window, her mind drifting away. As her eyelids grew heavy, sleep slowly overtook her.
In Sienna's dream, a refreshing and familiar fragrance wafted toward her. Shortly after, she felt a warm, moist touch on her lips. Groggily, she opened her eyes and was startled to find a face mere inches from her.
It was Daniel! He had returned and was softly kissing her as she slept.
Sienna instinctively tried to pull away, but Daniel quickly cradled the back of her head and lifted her head from where it rested on her arms. Her protests were muffled. She pushed against Daniel's chest. Yet, Daniel's response grew more insistent with each attempt she made to push him away. He scooped her up effortlessly and carried her to a nearby lounge chair. There, he held her waist and continued kissing her deeply.
The intensity of his kiss was overwhelming, leaving Sienna feeling almost breathless. Finally satisfied, he slowly eased his hold on her.
Daniel rested his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling in the room. The warmth between them was undeniable, and the air seemed to thicken with heat.
"Did you miss me?" Daniel whispered, his hands on her waist.
Blushing, Sienna closed her eyes and nodded.
"I missed you, too," Daniel said, caressing her lower abdomen. "Is the baby okay?"
"The doctor says everything looks normal," Sienna replied.
Daniel cupped her face, furrowing his brows as he studied her melancholy expression. "What's wrong? You seem upset. Have I been too caught up with work lately and neglected you?" Sienna pursed her lips and shook her head.
"Then, what is it? You look so tired and sad."
Reluctant to delve into the topic, Sienna quickly shifted the conversation. "How's work been?"
"It's going well."
"Have you caught Alex yet?"
"We're close."
"Then-"
Daniel cut her off urgently. "Let's not talk about my work right now. I'm only worried about you and our baby. Tell me. Why are you feeling unhappy?"
His words were like rays of sunshine on a winter's day, instantly thawing Sienna's frozen heart. She nestled against his chest and closed her eyes as she soaked in the comfort of his embrace.
"Honey, is it true that you don't like kids?" Sienna murmured.
"Who told you that?"
"You always said you weren't ready for kids."
ed her
Daniel kissed her forehead and whispered, "Don't overthink it. I really do like kids, I was hoping for a bit more time before trying for a baby. But now that it's on the way, it's the greatest gift heaven could have given us. I love you and our child."
Feeling insecure, Sienna asked, "What if the baby isn't a boy?"
Daniel's expression darkened as he looked down at her, his tone clearly displeased as he asked, "Why would you say that? Preferring boys to girls is not right. Whether a boy opa girl, it's our beloved child."
"But your family seems to think differently."
Daniel offered a wry smile and admitted, "I'm sorry. My family might have a slight preference for girls."
Sienna's expression dropped and she said weakly, "Take a look at the group chat."
Chapter 839
Chapter 839
Driven by curiosity, Daniel pulled out his phone, launched WhatsApp, and opened the group chat to read the latest messages. His expression darkened and he left the group chat without a word. He then took Sienna's phone, unlocked it with her fingerprint, and removed her from the chat as well.
Sienna was startled. "Honey, Lindsey will be upset if you do that."
With a dismissive scoff, Daniel patted her head reassuringly and dialed Lindsey's number.
Sienna watched him, her anxiety apparent as she awaited the conversation that would follow.
Lindsey answered the phone with a bright tone. "Daniel, it's been too long since we last talked. What's up?"
Daniel's reply was frosty and firm. "Aunt Lindsey, let me make this clear. You remain part of this family if you treat my wife with respect. Otherwise, consider us strangers."
"What do you mean? Daniel-"
Daniel cut her off and warned, "Also, whether our child is a boy or a girl, our family will cherish them equally. You're just an outsider and have no right to judge."
Overwhelmed by anger and gasping for breath, Lindsey protested, "You... How can you say I'm an outsider? Do you even have a conscience?"
"So, you think girls, who eventually marry and join another family are less valuable? That they don't truly belong with us? But aren't you a daughter, too? You're simply demeaning yourself, and yet you expect us to treat you like family. How shameless can you be?" Daniel retorted sharply.
Infuriated, Lindsey roared, "Daniel, I'm your aunt="
"I'm putting you on speakerphone. Apologize to my wife, now."
"I told you, I'm your aunt! Don't even think about it," Lindsey snapped.
"That ends today. You're not my aunt anymore." Daniel's reply was frosty.
Lindsey was furious. "No one in the Morrison family has ever treated me this way. Even your father adores and respects me. But you, my own nephew, have the nerve to-"
Daniel didn't let her finish. He hung
up abruptly and blocked her number. He set his phone down and looked up to find Sienna watching him, her
ede with shock. Danieb
couldn't help but smile.
He caressed her hair and kissed her on the lips. "I'm sorry, Darling. I couldn't get justice for you."
Sienna was moved to tears, her
heart swelling with warmth and gratitude. She had never thought Daniel would defend her over such a minor issue, let alone cut ties with Lindsey so decisively.
She threw herself into Daniel's arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, and burying her face in his shoulder. "Thank you, Honey."
"We're family. You don't have to thank me," Daniel replied, gently stroking her back. "You're my wife. Anyone who tries to hurt you is also hurting me."
"Isn't this too harsh on Lindsey?" Sienna asked.
"I won't let you suffer even the slightest injustice in our family." Daniel lowered his head and kissed her forehead. He added huskily, "You should never tolerate any mistreatment." Sienna's face lit up with a smile, her spirits lifted. She nodded her head.
Suddenly, her phone rang. She pulled away from Daniel before looking at the caller ID. She then glanced anxiously at Daniel. "Honey, it's Lindsey."
"Answer it," Daniel said gently. "Put it on speaker."
Sienna answered the call and turned on the speakerphone.
Lindsey's voice came through, sounding soft and low-spirited. "Sienna! I didn't mean the things I said in the group chat. Please, don't take them to heart. I'm sorry, and I hope you can forgive me. And please, ask your husband not to hold a grudge."
Chapter 840
Chapter 840
Sienna smiled and raised an eyebrow at Daniel.
He returned her gaze calmly without saying a word. His eyes silently suggested that forgiving Linsey was her choice to make.
After some thought, Sienna said, "Lindsey, I'm not upset with you."
"But your husband is. He just called to scold me, and then he blocked my number," Lindsey explained.
Suppressing a laugh, Sienna simply replied, "Oh."
"I'm sorry to both of you. Could you ask him to unblock me? I've always treated him and his brothers as if they were my own children. How can he just sever our ties like this?"
"I'll talk to him, Lindsey. He's overreacting. How can he be so upset with his aunt?"
Lindsey smiled. "Exactly. You are the one who always sees things rationally."
"We'll speak later, Lindsey. I'll ask Daniel to unblock you."
"Okay. Do take care of yourself, especially now in the early stages of your pregnancy," Lindsey advised.
Sienna felt surprisingly pleased by Lindsey's sudden concern. She turned to Daniel in disbelief, thinking he seemed to know exactly how to deal with Lindsey.
"Thank you, Lindsey," Sienna said before ending the call.
She turned to Daniel, her expression lighting up. "Lindsey used to dislike me and was always convinced I wasn't the right match for you. But now, she's actually showing concern." With a wry smile, Daniel replied casually, "She's just being dramatic. You have to stand your ground, especially when dealing with someone like her."
Sienna picked up Daniel's phone and handed it to him. She said adorably, "Honey, could you unblock her? She did apologize."
Daniel took his phone and began tapping on it. He whispered, "Never lower yourself just to please someone, alright?"
Sienna hummed in acknowledgment.
"And if you're going to please someone, it should only be me," Daniel added.
Sienna kissed his cheek and wrapped her arms around his neck. She asked coquettishly, "Why does it seem like you're the one always trying to please me?"
Daniel finished unblocking Lindsey and set his phone aside. Wrapping Sienna in a tight embrace, he teased, "Love is a two-way street. What do I get in return for pleasing you?" Sienna responded with a kiss on his lips. "I love you, Honey."
Daniel couldn't suppress his laughter. He pushed her down on the couch and kissed her.
Caught off guard by his intensity, Sienna pushed against his chest and said softly, "Honey, remember the first trimester is delicate. We should be careful."
Daniel paused, looking stunned. After some hesitation, he said, "I'll stick to kisses. I promise not to go too far."
The room was charged with a tender yet passionate atmosphere.
...
The next day, Daniel was off from work and decided to surprise Sienna with a special outing, hinting at a gift.
Expecting a scenic getaway, Sienna was astonished when they arrived at a luxurious villa complex, which she mistook for a high-end resort
clubhouse. To her amazemental nee
Daniel pulled out a property deed and handed it to her.
"This villa is my gift to you. It's not part of our marital assets. It's solely yours, Sienna. I'll have it officially transferred under your name," Daniel explained. Taken aback, Sienna asked, "Why are you giving me a villa?"
"The human heart can be a fickle thing. I can't predict the future or how my feelings might change. But while + deeply love you now, I want to ensure you feel loved and secure," Daniel teased.
Sienna felt a chill. Was his love really so fragile? But then, who can truly promise to love only one person forever? What mattered to Sienna was the depth of Daniel's love right now. That alone was enough.
She set aside her doubts and asked with a hint of curiosity, "So, from now on, will all the gifts you give me be registered solely under my name?" Daniel nodded in response. "Yes."
"Why not transfer all your assets to my name, then? That would surely keep your feelings from changing," Sienna joked.