Chapter 5%
“That’s right! Sienna, you volunteered for this. And now you’re out here shoving Caitlin into the water?*%
Dean’s voice roared as he stormed toward me and slapped me hard across the face.
The impact rang through my skull, hot and sharp. My cheek flared up, swelling almost instantly from the blow.
“Sienna, if you’ve got a problem, then bring it to me. But who the hell gave you the guts to lay a hand on Caitlin?*%
Around us, the crowd didn’t hesitate.
They jumped in like they’d been waiting for this moment, their voices cold and cruel.}]
“Oh my god, did the Wests seriously raise such an ungrateful brat?““>
*All that love and care they gave her, and she turns around and pulls this crap? Jealous just ‘cause the heir of the Sterling family gave Caitlin a few gifts instead of her?”
“Who knows what she’s been doing to Caitlin behind the scenes all this time?“}
Dean grabbed my arm and yanked me toward Caitlin so hard my shoulder nearly popped.”
“Get over there and apologize!”
Since I first put up with this, I have been bottling up a huge amount of resentment.”
But for something I didn’t even do? I refuse to apologize.
I yanked my arm back and looked him straight in the eyes, my voice steady.
“I’m not apologizing. I already told you that I didn’t push Caitlin.“}]
Right on cue, Caitlin burst into tears, her voice trembling like she’d just been stabbed.
“Sienna, what are you even trying to say? That I made up the whole thing up? That I’d risk my life just to frame you? Why would I ever do something so awful?”
Dean’s face twisted, disgust written all over it.”
“Sienna! You’re really sticking to that lie? Fine. Guess I’ll knock some sense into you for Caitlin.”
And just like that, without a shred of hesitation, he shoved me into the pond.>>
The moment my body hit the water, panic overwhelmed me. I couldn’t swim. The cold struck like ice, but it was the memories that truly drowned me.”
All at once, I was back in that past life, gasping for air, sinking, dying.
I thrashed and struggled to keep my head above the surface.
“Help… Help me…“}]
But no one came.}
People just watched. Some turned away, while others smirked as if this were entertainment. None of them moved. And every time I got close to the edge, Dean was right there, shoving me back under like it was some sick game.”
My limbs started going numb. My lungs burned. Despair wrapped around me tighter than the water ever could.
Then, slicing through the noise like a blade, a low, cold voice full of authority emerged.”
“Who gave you the nerve to lay hands on my fiancée?”
Before I could even process the words, someone dove into the water.
The next thing I knew, I was on solid ground, coughing and soaked, fighting to breathe.
My vision blurred, but I caught a glimpse of a face above mine–sharp, chiseled, unfamiliar, and yet unmistakable.}} Warm lips pressed to mine. My heart stuttered. My cheeks flared.}
He was giving me CPR.
Little by little, the world came back into focus. The party had gone completely silent. Every single person stood frozen.
A steward appeared nearby, his posture stiff and respectful as he held out a jacket.
“Sir Lance, here’s your coat.”
That presence… it was almost too much. Cold, sharp, and so commanding that the whole room felt like it was holding its breath.
This was Lance Sterling–the man I was supposed to marry.
He didn’t say anything at first. Just took the coat from the steward, gently wrapped it around me, and then, without asking, lifted me into his arms.
I gasped, shocked by the sudden closeness.
He frowned slightly as if reading my tension.
Then, in a voice softer than I expected, he said, “Don’t be afraid. I’ve got you.”
He carried me over to the nearest couch and set me down gently like I was something fragile.&
Then Lance turned to the crowd, his whole demeanor shifting, sharp, and in control.
“Which one of you just said they were gonna knock some sense into my fiancée‘?*% The room went dead quiet.
。
。
D
Right then, Dean’s face drained of color.
But Caitlin? She moved fast, stepping forward with a well–practiced, sweet smile.
She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, eyes wide and innocent.}
“Lance, it’s all just a misunderstanding,” she said softly. “My sister was just playing around, and I accidentally slipped into the water. I couldn’t swim, so I panicked. Dean just got worried and overreacted, that’s all. But I’m fine now. Please don’t be upset.“%
Her voice was so sweet it practically dripped honey.
Caitlin looked up at Lance like she expected him to smile back. Like the gifts she had earlier received, they had given her permission to hope for more.
But Lance turned to her slowly, his face hard as stone.”
Then he said flatly, “Who gave you permission to call me by name?“>
