Not his first choice

Chapter 18

Sienna had mastered the art of restraint. For years, she had perfected the role of being by Lucian’s side—his right hand, his shadow, the one who anticipated his every need before he even voiced it. But today, that restraint was slipping through her fingers like sand.

She barely slept the night before. After rushing out of Lucian’s house, her body had been on fire—rage, heartbreak, devastation all tangled in a mess she couldn’t unravel. But today, she had to be professional. She had to pretend she wasn’t breaking apart inside. " How stupid can you be to fall in love with Lucien sterling someone who hasn't even thought about you as more than his assistant, someone that would rather use you as a mistress than his wife, someone who doesn't even consider you as his first choice, she cautioned internally.

So, when she walked into Sterling Enterprises that morning, she wore her best armor—her pristine black dress, her sharp heels, her carefully neutral expression. She would get through this day like any other. Or at least, that had been the plan.

Then came the first blow.

“Sienna, Mr. Sterling wants you to oversee Miss Davenport’s preparation for the charity gala tonight,” Lucian’s assistant, Ethan, informed her casually, oblivious to the way her entire body tensed at the mention of Camilla’s name. “Make sure she’s briefed, has everything she needs, and is comfortable for the press.”

Sienna’s fingers clenched around the tablet she was holding. Comfortable. Of course. Because God forbid Lucian’s fiancée ever felt even a second of discomfort.

A slow breath. A nod. “Understood.”

She had been expecting something like this. She had trained herself to anticipate the worst. But knowing and experiencing were two different things.

---

Sienna knocked lightly before stepping into the private lounge where Camilla was waiting. The woman was seated elegantly, her perfect blonde hair cascading over her shoulder as she sipped a flute of champagne.

Camilla smiled at her—an expression that was all sugar and venom. “Sienna, how lovely. You’re here to prepare me, aren’t you?”

Sienna set the folder down on the table, keeping her voice steady. “The press will be asking about the foundation’s expansion project. I’ve prepared talking points for you.”

Camilla took the folder, flipping through it carelessly before looking back up with an almost pitying expression. “You know, Lucian told me how indispensable you are.” She leaned in slightly, voice dipping into something conspiratorial. “It must be exhausting, though. Always being the one behind the scenes, never center stage.”

Sienna didn’t flinch. She had survived worse. “My job isn’t to be center stage.”

“No,” Camilla mused. “But you certainly act like you belong there.”

Sienna bit the inside of her cheek so hard she tasted blood. “If you need anything else, let me know.”

She turned to leave, but the door opened before she could reach it. And there he was.

Lucian.

Tall, imposing, effortlessly commanding in his dark suit. He scanned the room, his gaze landing on her first, and for a split second, something flickered in his expression—something unreadable.

Then Camilla rose gracefully and crossed to him, pressing a chaste kiss to his lips, her hand lingering on his arm and the other casually feeling his chest. “Lucian,” she purred. “Sienna was just making sure I had everything I needed. She’s so loyal, isn’t she?”

Sienna forced herself to stay still, to act as if that kiss hadn’t just lodged a knife into her chest.

Lucian’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

Camilla, sensing an opportunity, turned to Sienna again. “Oh, and do send for the stylists to make sure my look is flawless tonight. I’m representing him, after all.”

That was it.

Sienna swallowed around the lump in her throat and gave a tight nod before excusing herself. She walked out, her heels clicking against the marble floor, her breath shallow, her heart hammering. She needed to get away. Just for a moment. Just long enough to—

“Sienna.”

She stopped.

His voice.

She turned slowly, and there he was, standing in the hallway like a storm brewing on the horizon.

Lucian stepped closer, his eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong with you?”

She let out a hollow laugh. “What’s wrong with me?”

“Yes.” His tone was sharp, controlled. “You’ve been acting different. Distant it's almost like you are angry at me.

Sienna’s fingers curled into fists. “I’m doing my job, Lucian. That’s all.”

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. “If there’s a problem, say it.”

Say it.

Say that watching him with Camilla felt like having her heart ripped out of her chest every single day. Say that she had loved him for years and he had never once seen her the way she saw him. Say that this was killing her.

Instead, she said, “I spoke with your grandfather.”

Lucian’s entire body went still, his eye stern.

Sienna held his gaze, forcing herself to stay strong. “I told him I wanted to resign. He agreed.”

Silence.

Lucian’s face was unreadable, but the storm in his eyes was unmistakable.

“You’re not leaving,” he said, voice dangerously low.

She swallowed. “Yes. I am.”

His jaw clenched. “You think you can just walk away because of a man? Because of some emotional setback you’ll get over in a few weeks?” His voice sharpened, cutting through her like a blade. “You’re going to throw away everything because of your feelings?”

Her breath hitched.

Lucian scoffed, shaking his head. “Do you even understand what you’re saying? We paid for your education. My grandfather invested in you because he believed in your potential. And now you think you can just leave because you’re sad?”

Tears burned the back of her eyes. She blinked rapidly, refusing to let them fall. “It’s not just about that.”

“Then what is it?” he demanded. “Tell me, Sienna, because from where I’m standing, you’re acting like a child running away from a problem.”

She swallowed, throat tight. “I can’t do this anymore, Lucian.”

He took a step forward. “Do what?”

She shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. “Be by your side while you prepare a life with someone else.”

The words hung between them, sharp and devastating.

For the first time, Lucian looked shaken.

But Sienna didn’t wait for a response. She turned and walked away, her vision blurred, her breath shuddering.

By the time she stepped into the elevator, silent tears were already slipping down her cheeks.