Chapter 1

“Help! It hurts so much!” Yvette Young screamed, her piercing cry echoing through the lavish Flynn residence. Guests surged toward her, their expressions a chaotic mix of shock and concern.

At the top of the staircase, Sienna Shaw stood frozen, her gaze darting between Yvette, crumpled at the bottom of the stairs, and her own trembling hands. “How could this happen?” she murmured, her face blank as she struggled to process the events.

It was a large family gathering, and everyone was now huddled around Yvette. Questions flew: “What’s going on?” “How did she fall?”

Yvette winced in pain, struggling to speak, glancing up at the second floor. Instantly, accusations erupted: “It was Sienna who pushed her!” “Oh my God! Sienna, even if you don’t like Yvette, you can’t do that. She’s pregnant.” “Exactly! You might be spoiled and stubborn, but there are boundaries.”

“No, it’s not me…” Sienna’s face paled. She shook her head, but no one listened.

A deep voice cut through the chaos. Josiah Flynn, Sienna’s husband of less than two months, had arrived. A wave of relief washed over Sienna as she looked to him for support.

But Josiah’s chin tilted, his eyes like daggers. “How dare you!”

“No, it wasn’t me,” Sienna gasped, shaking her head.

“Then who was it?” Josiah didn't believe her. His handsome face twisted with disgust. “Yvette fell on her own? How many times have you bullied her?”

Sienna was speechless.

Yvette clutched her stomach, collapsing against Josiah, her voice trembling. “Josiah, it hurts. It hurts so much.”

“Yvette, what’s wrong?” Josiah looked frantic.

Miranda rushed over. “What happened?”

Suddenly, a scream pierced the air. “There’s blood! She’s bleeding!” A puddle of crimson spread beneath Yvette.

Terrified, Yvette sobbed into Josiah’s neck. “Josiah… my baby…”

“Stay calm. We’re going to the hospital right now,” Josiah reassured her, though his face betrayed his anxiety.

He scooped Yvette into his arms, shooting a fierce look at Sienna. “You better pray the baby’s okay. Otherwise…” He didn’t finish, rushing out with Yvette.

Miranda shook her head at Sienna, struggling to find the words. “Sienna, you… how could you…”

“Miranda,” Sienna called, but Miranda turned and walked away. The guests dispersed, leaving Sienna alone.

Dazed, Sienna barely remembered returning to her room. She anxiously awaited Josiah’s return, wanting to explain. Night deepened, but he didn't come. Before dawn, she heard a noise downstairs.

“Josiah!” She rushed out, but froze at the sound of his icy voice: “Grandma, I want a divorce.”

Miranda grabbed Josiah. “What are you talking about? I promised Fiona I would take care of Sienna. You two just married, and now you’re thinking about splitting up? She’s only twenty! Are you trying to push her over the edge?”

Josiah laughed coldly. “Grandma… Yvette lost her baby. And Sienna? She’s just fine. Who’s really pushing who to the brink here?”

Miranda paused.

“I never wanted to marry her. You pushed me into it,” Josiah said, his frustration palpable. “If she makes you happy, then I guess I can live with that. But I can’t have her as my wife.” “If this keeps up, I don’t know what I might do to her.”

“No!” Miranda exclaimed, panic rising. Thinking of the lost grandchild, she made a decision. “I’ll send her overseas, far away from you.”

Josiah agreed. “That’s fine with me.”

Sienna dashed back to her room, collapsing to the floor in tears. Josiah… she whispered, realizing his disdain and the coercion of their marriage.

Sienna’s parents had died when she was young. Her grandmother, Fiona Shaw, raised her. After Fiona died in a car accident when Sienna was fifteen, Miranda, a close friend of Fiona’s, took her in. Miranda loved her like family and often suggested, “Sienna, how about you marry Josiah when you grow up?” Sienna always replied with a sweet smile, “Of course.”

Marrying Josiah had been her dream. She studied for him, dressed for him, and followed him, keeping other women away.

“But it turned out to be one-sided,” she sobbed. “He said I was too controlling and didn’t want to see me anymore.”

A knock interrupted her thoughts. Miranda’s voice: “Sienna, you up?”

“Yeah, I’m awake.” Sienna wiped her tears, smoothed her hair, and opened the door with a forced smile. “Morning, Miranda.”

Miranda noticed her red, puffy eyes but didn’t mention them. She sat on the sofa. “Sit.”

Sienna knew what was coming. Miranda’s attitude had changed.

“Didn’t you always talk about wanting to study abroad? I’ll arrange for you to leave as soon as possible,” Miranda said.

Sienna’s gaze fell. More tears flowed. Miranda felt a pang of sympathy. She loved Sienna, but Yvette was still in the hospital, and she had to do what was right.

Taking a deep breath, Miranda said, “You really need to work on your temper. Every time a girl gets close to Josiah, you go off the rails. I’ve let a lot slide, but how can you be jealous of Yvette? She’s engaged to Howard.”

Sienna opened her mouth, but the words caught in her throat. Even Miranda didn’t believe her.

“Pack your things and get ready to go.” Miranda stood, giving Sienna one last look. “Once you’ve changed, I’ll send someone to bring you back, okay?”

“Take care,” Sienna said, bowing slightly as Miranda left. She remained lost in her grief. A wave of nausea hit her, and she hurried to the bathroom.