Chapter 3
1009 Words
Sienna’s POV
I regretted my outfit choice the moment I stepped into the sleek marble lobby of Montgomery & Finch LLP.
The deep emerald-green silk blouse? Too soft. Too inviting. The fitted black trousers? A power move, sure, but also a reminder that I had put effort into dressing today. And effort meant caring.
I did not care.
I did not care that I was about to see him for the first time in a year.
I did not care that the last time we were in the same room, it ended with me throwing a champagne flute at a wall two inches from his head.
I especially did not care that Leo freaking Hawthorne had the audacity to exist, breathing the same air as me, looking obnoxiously perfect, despite being an objectively terrible human being.
Nope. Totally fine. Completely unaffected.
"Ms. Clarke?" A crisp voice cut through my mental spiral. A receptionist, all tailored navy blue and polite efficiency, gestured toward the hallway. "Mr. Finch is ready for you. Mr. Hawthorne is already inside."
Of course he was.
I exhaled slowly, rolling back my shoulders before stepping into the conference room.
Leo was seated at the head of the long mahogany table, one arm draped lazily over the chair like he was posing for a GQ spread on 'Effortless Bastard Energy.' He looked exactly the same—maybe even better, which was deeply unfair. Tousled dark hair, sharp cheekbones, that signature movie-star smirk he used to charm the masses.
But I knew better.
He was not charming. He was infuriating.
And the way his eyes dragged over me when I walked in? Even more infuriating.
"Sienna," he drawled, like my name was something he owned.
I ignored the slow heat that crawled up my spine and sank into the chair opposite him. "Leo."
"Glad to see you haven’t lost that signature ice-queen glare."
"Glad to see you’re still insufferable."
His smirk deepened. "Missed me, then?"
I opened my mouth to fire back—
"Ah, good, you’re both here."
A balding man in a sharp three-piece suit entered, shutting the door behind him. Mr. Finch. He placed a thick folder in front of him and adjusted his glasses.
"Let’s get straight to it, shall we?"
Leo leaned back in his chair, exuding unbothered arrogance. "Please. Enlighten us on why Eleanor thought it was a good idea to trap me in a house with her."
I scowled. "Trust me, I have the same question."
Mr. Finch cleared his throat. "As you both know, Eleanor Montgomery was… eccentric."
That was putting it mildly.
"Her final will and testament is, shall we say, unconventional."
Leo arched a brow. "How unconventional?"
Mr. Finch flipped open the file. "She has left her Napa Valley estate to the two of you. However, there are conditions."
Leo groaned. "Of course there are."
I frowned. "What kind of conditions?"
Mr. Finch adjusted his glasses. "You are both required to reside at the estate for one year."
Silence.
Leo blinked. Then laughed. Actually laughed.
"Yeah, no," he said, still chuckling. "That’s cute. What’s the real condition?"
Mr. Finch remained impassive. "That is the real condition."
Leo’s laughter died instantly. "You’re serious?"
I gritted my teeth. "One year? That’s insane."
"Indeed." Mr. Finch continued, flipping a page. "Should either of you leave the property for more than seven consecutive days without valid cause, you both forfeit your inheritance."
"Valid cause?" Leo repeated, voice flat.
"Work obligations, health-related emergencies, and legal matters are acceptable exceptions. Vacations, personal disagreements, or simply ‘not wanting to be in the same house as each other’ are not."
I clenched my fists. "This has to be a joke."
Leo pinched the bridge of his nose. "Let me get this straight. Eleanor, in all her whiskey-drunk wisdom, decided that in order for us to inherit a house we did not ask for, we have to live together in it for a full year?"
"Correct."
I inhaled sharply. "What if we refuse?"
Mr. Finch flipped another page. "Then the estate and all associated assets will be donated to The Society for Exotic Reptile Preservation."
Leo stared at him. "The what?"
I groaned. "Eleanor had a thing for lizards."
Leo ran a hand through his hair. "Unbelievable."
Mr. Finch folded his hands. "Look, I understand this isn’t ideal. But Eleanor was very clear—this was her final wish."
I chewed my lip. The estate was worth millions. It wasn’t just some quaint little vineyard—it was a fully functioning winery, event space, and luxury retreat.
It was an empire.
Leo sighed, rubbing his temple. "Okay, say we do this. What happens after the year?"
"You will both receive equal ownership of the estate and can choose to sell, co-manage, or divide assets as you see fit."
Leo and I exchanged a look.
One year. One very long year.
I sat back, my mind racing.
This was a terrible idea.
This was going to end in murder.
But this was also an opportunity.
I had plans—dreams of expanding my brand beyond the restaurant. If I had a stake in the estate, I could turn it into something huge.
Leo, on the other hand? He didn’t need it. He had money, fame, and an entire world of opportunities waiting for him in Hollywood.
Which meant I just had to outlast him.
I exhaled. "Fine."
Leo’s gaze snapped to me. "Excuse me?"
I lifted my chin. "I accept the terms."
He narrowed his eyes. "You’re seriously agreeing to this?"
I folded my arms. "Unless you’re scared of living with me for a year."
His jaw ticked. "Scared? Please."
"Then say yes."
He held my gaze, something unreadable flickering behind his eyes.
Finally, he sighed. "Fine. I’m in."
Mr. Finch smiled. "Excellent. I’ll have the official agreements drawn up."
Leo shook his head, muttering. "This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever agreed to."
I smirked. "Don’t worry, Hawthorne. The feeling is mutual."
One year.
One house.
And one infuriating, way-too-attractive-for-his-own-good enemy.
This was going to be hell.
- Writer
