Chapter 2: Tangled Hearts
1111 Words
Sienna stood in front of Veridian Elite Hospital, tears still streaming down her face. Her chest heaved as she tried to calm herself, wiping her eyes with her sleeves. If she walked in looking like this, Aunt Maya would worry even more, and she couldn’t let that happen—not now, not when her grandma needed strength. She had to be strong for both of them.
Taking deep breaths, she steeled herself and stepped inside, the hospital’s bright lights making her squint. Her phone was still in her hand, and she dialed Kate, her best friend, again and again. No answer.
“I have to reach her,” Sienna muttered, frustration building. She scrolled to Kate’s boyfriend, Mark, and called him instead.
“Mark, please, get Kate on the phone, it's urgent” she begged, voice shaking. Mark sounded groggy but serious.
“Hold on.” There was a shuffle, then Kate’s voice came through, sharp with concern.
“Sienna? What’s wrong?”
“Kate, it’s bad,” Sienna sobbed.
“My grandma had a bad heart attack. I’m at the hospital now. Dad refused to help, Mom too. They’re too busy with Leela’s engagement to Alexander. Can you believe it? My own family…” Her voice broke. Kate gasped.
“Wait, your father really refused? And Alexander??? Oh God, I’ve always told you those people were using you, but you’re too good, Sienna. You let them walk all over you. They don’t see you as family—I don’t even want to call them that.” Sienna’s throat tightened.
“I don’t want to hear that now, Kate. I really don’t know what to do. I need money for Grandma’s surgery, and they won’t give a dime. Do you know anyone I can borrow from?”
Kate’s voice softened, urgent.
“I’ll call the hospital right now. I’ll gather what I can, ask my folks, everyone I can think of. Hang in there, Sienna. We’ll figure this out.”
Sienna nodded, tears falling faster.
“Thanks, Kate. I’ll wait for you.” She hung up, feeling a tiny spark of hope, but it flickered fast.
What if it wasn’t enough?
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Veridian, the Lewis family mansion buzzed with tension. Lucien Lewis, the city’s most accomplished bachelor, faced off with his grandfather, Harold, in the grand dining room. Harold’s voice boomed.
“You’re getting too old, Lucien. It’s time to settle down, marry a woman from a good background, and have kids. We need to strengthen the family business.”
Lucien’s jaw clenched. He’d had enough blind dates—dozens of women, all polished and perfect, none who sparked anything real.
“Drop it, Grandpa,” he snapped, voice cold but steady.
“None of them meet my standards. I’m done with this.”
Harold’s eyes narrowed. “ You're done when I say you're done. For now You’ll continue. This latest one’s important. You have to take this seriously. She’s from the Sinclair family. You know then right...very powerful and outstanding. It’s not just about you.”
Lucien shook his head, frustration building.
“I said no. I’m focused on the company, not your schemes. Haven't you done enough? What do you need this much power for huh??” The air crackled. He pushed his plate forward standing up.
Back at the hospital, Sienna steeled herself and pushed through the doors, her sneakers squeaking on the polished floor. Aunt Maya was there, pale and anxious.
“Sienna!” Maya rushed over, eyes wide.
“She’s stable, but barely. They’re prepping for surgery, but the bills…”
Sienna nodded, swallowing hard.
“I’m on it, Aunt Maya. Kate’s helping.”
Maya hugged her tight, and for a moment, Sienna let herself lean in, drawing strength. But her mind raced—surgery, money, family secrets. What was that driver talking about? The warehouse on Sussex Street? Was it a trap, or the truth? She didn’t know, but right now, her grandma was all that mattered.
Hours passed, and the hope faded. She kept trying Kate, but no answer—not from Kate or Mark. The hospital staff grew impatient, their voices pressing harder.
A doctor in a white coat approached, face grim.
“Miss Frederick, we need payment for the surgery now. Your grandmother’s chances are slim if we delay. She doesn’t have much time.”
Sienna’s stomach churned. She couldn’t lose her grandma. Desperate, she made a decision.
“I’ll get the money,” she said, voice shaky but firm. She turned to Aunt Maya
“I’ll mortgage Grandma’s house.”
She rushed out of the hospital, heart pounding, heading for the bank across Veridian.
A Furious Lucien stormed out, telling his driver,
“Take me to the company. Now.”
The driver nodded, pulling up in the sleek black car.
“Yes, young master. Right away.”
Lucien slid in, his mind racing with frustration. How could Harold keep demanding this? He was focused on his work, not some arranged marriage for power. How many people does he need to hurt before he understands the consequences of his hunger for more power?
The car sped toward downtown Veridian, weaving through traffic. Meanwhile, Sienna raced across the street, her eyes blurry with tears but set on the bank. She didn’t see the car until it was too late. It swerved, bumping her hard. She stumbled, falling to the pavement, anger flaring as pain shot through her leg. A stone lay nearby, and in her rage, she grabbed it and hurled it at the car. The windshield cracked with a sharp ping.
“Watch where you’re going, jerk!” she yelled, storming off, adrenaline masking her hurt. Inside the car, Lucien froze.
“What the hell?” he muttered, staring at the cracked glass. His driver, Greg pale, stammered, “Young master, I swear I looked. She ran out like a ram. It’s her fault.”
Lucien’s fists clenched.
“Unbelievable. Some girl, no control, no sense of responsibility, and she wrecks my car?”
He threw his phone down, then picked it up and dialed one of his men.
“Find out about that accident just now at the hotpot junction. I want her name, everything. And bring a new car. Now.”
His voice was ice, but his mind was buzzing. Who was she? Was she out of her mind?
Back on the street, Sienna limped toward the bank, heart pounding. She didn’t care about the car or the man inside—she had to save her grandma. But that brief, wild clash with Lucien had sparked something, a tension neither of them realized would explode later.
- Writer
