His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

I breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

Finally, free of Nathan's constant presence, I refilled my glass with red wine and stepped outside for some air, hoping to find a moment of peace before rejoining the reception. But as soon as I stepped into the cool evening air, I felt it-a piercing, vicious stare.

I looked up, and there she was. Sienna stood in the corner, her eyes locked on me with an expression of pure venom. She didn't say a word, but the malice in her gaze was unmistakable. Her fists were clenched at her sides, her jaw tight, as if she was barely holding back her rage. In the past, she was the only one who accompanied Nathan to attend such situations, but now Nathan was accompanying me, so of course she was angry.

Sienna walked towards me, her expression showing indifference, completely lacking the gentleness she usually has in front of Nathan.

Sienna's sharp voice cut through the noise of the party, dripping with disdain. "I didn't think you'd have the face to show up here. Nathan doesn't even like you, yet you keep hanging around him like a pest."

I felt the sting of her words but refused to let them faze me. "He didn't

14:57

His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

73.1%

bring me here, Sienna. I got the invitation myself," I replied, keeping

my voice calm, steady. But Sienna wasn't convinced.

Her eyes flashed with hatred, narrowing as she took a step closer. "Doris, just *you*? What gives you the right? What makes you think you're good enough for Nathan? What makes you so special that you're obedient, well-behaved, and everyone just loves you?"

Her words came out like venom, each sentence harsher than the last. "Why do Mom and Dad adore you? Why does everyone want to be around you? And most of all-why do you get to marry Nathan?" Her voice broke slightly, and a dangerous glint appeared in her eyes. "But don't get too comfortable, because it won't last long. Between you and Nathan-it's going to fall apart. Soon."

She leaned in closer, her voice a low hiss. "Nathan can only be mine." Her words echoed in my head as I furrowed my brows. I hadn't realized just how deeply Sienna resented me. The intensity of her hatred took me aback. She spoke as if everyone had betrayed her-as

if the world owed her something that it had given to me instead.

What was she talking about? *Mom and Dad love me?* Mom and Dad

were divorced, and I'd grown up thinking that Dad didn't want me.

Mom had spent years longing for Sienna, her perfect child. And Nathan-he'd always doted on her, making sure she had everythingConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

she needed.

Sienna was lost in her paranoia, and I didn't want to waste my energy

arguing with someone so consumed by their bitterness. "Come on, Sienna," I said, shaking my head. "Go be mad somewhere else. This 14:58

His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

74.4%

isn't the place for you."

I turned to walk away, but her cold laugh stopped me in my tracks.

"Do you think you can win, Doris?" she sneered. "Nathan belongs to

me and me alone."

I frowned, turning to face her again. "Are you that certain?" I asked, my voice quiet but cutting. "Just because you lied to him and made him believe you convinced Mom and Dad to adopt him?"