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“Of course,” Sienna replies, her warm brown eyes filled with concern. “I saw everything unfolding on the news and figured you could use an escape.”
As the car glides away from the chaos, I lean back against the headrest, finally able to think clearly. “I don’t know what’s happening, Sienna. Everything’s falling apart.”
“Hey, it’ll be okay.” Her hand finds mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “We’ll figure this out together. But first, you need to fill me in on what happened before the media frenzy.”
My gaze drops to our entwined fingers, guilt twisting in my stomach. “I’m so sorry, Sienna. I should’ve reached out to you earlier. I just didn’t know what to say, or where to begin.”
“Start with the truth,” she says gently, her eyes never leaving mine. “I’m here for you, Annalise. Don’t shut me out.”
Taking a deep breath, I tell her everything—Damian’s betrayal, the explosive confrontation with his brothers, and my shattered trust. As I speak, Sienna listens carefully, absorbing every word and offering quiet support.
“Annalise, I can’t believe this happened to you,” she murmurs, shaking her head in disbelief. “But we’ll figure it out, together. We always do.”
Her unwavering faith in me strengthens my resolve, reminding me that I am not alone in this fight. And with Sienna by my side, I know I can conquer anything—even the darkness that threatens to consume me.
“Annalise, let’s do something else tonight. Let’s have a girls’ night. We can watch a movie and just forget about all of this for a while,” Sienna suggests, her eyes full of empathy and understanding.
I’m surprised by the suggestion, but find myself nodding in agreement. “That sounds nice, actually. A distraction would be good right now.”
“Perfect,” she says with a warm smile, reaching over to squeeze my hand again. “We both need it.”
As we drive through the city, I can’t help but notice the way the lights reflect off the rain-slicked streets, creating a strangely beautiful mosaic of colors. It’s moments like these that remind me there is still beauty to be found, even amidst the chaos.
“Any preferences on what we should watch?” Sienna asks, dragging my thoughts back to our impromptu girls’ night.
“Something light and funny, maybe?” I suggest, knowing that laughter has always been one of the best remedies for pain.
“Perfect. I’ve got just the thing,” she replies, her voice full of certainty. I trust her taste implicitly, knowing that she always manages to find the perfect balance between humor and heart.
When we finally arrive at Sienna’s apartment, the contrast between the chaotic world outside and the comforting warmth of her living room is striking. She wastes no time setting up the movie and preparing snacks, her efficiency a testament to the strong bond between us—a bond that has weathered countless storms and emerged stronger each time.
“Here we go,” she announces, pressing play on the remote and settling down next to me on the couch. As the opening credits roll, I feel a small smile tug at the corners of my lips. Sienna’s choice of film is perfect, featuring a cast of quirky characters that never fails to make me laugh.
Throughout the movie, Sienna and I laugh together, our shared amusement a balm for the wounds that still ache within me. The weight of the revelations and confrontations earlier in the day begins to lift, if only slightly, replaced by a growing sense of resolve.
As we reach the end of the film, I find myself grateful for Sienna’s presence—her unwavering support and understanding is something I know I can always rely on. In this moment, surrounded by laughter and friendship, I feel stronger than ever before. And with Sienna by my side, I know that I’m ready to face whatever challenges the future holds.
34
ANNALISE
The moment I step out of the building, a blinding flash of cameras and the deafening clamor of reporters ambush me. My heart races as they surround me, bombarding me with vicious accusations.
“Annalise, are you only after the Volkov brothers’ fortune?” one reporter shouts.
“Is it true that you’re in a love triangle with all three brothers?” another demands.
I blink rapidly, trying to adjust to the sudden onslaught of attention. Their words sting like icy daggers, piercing my resolve. Forcing myself to maintain composure, I attempt to push past them, but they close in, suffocating me.
“Please,” I say, my voice strained. “Give me some space.”
As if on cue, a car screeches to a halt beside me, its tires leaving black marks on the pavement. Sienna leaps out, her auburn hair wild around her determined face. She grabs my arm and yanks me toward the vehicle.
“Get in!” she orders, her eyes aflame with urgency.
“Sienna, what are you—” I begin to ask, but she cuts me off.
“Later! Just get in the damn car, Annalise!”
