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Without waiting for a response, she shoves me into the passenger seat and slams the door shut. The reporters swarm around us, their cameras pressed against the windows like vultures.
“Back off!” Sienna screams at them before jumping back into the driver’s seat and starting the engine.
“Sienna, wait!” I plead, gripping the door handle tightly. “I need to clear this up—I can’t let them think?—”
“Trust me, Anna,” she interrupts, her fierce gaze locked on mine. “You don’t owe them anything.”
With that, she floors the gas pedal, and we speed away from the chaotic scene. My heart pounds in my chest as the reporters and their accusations grow smaller in the rearview mirror.
“Thank you,” I whisper, sinking into the seat and letting out a shaky breath. Sienna offers me a tight smile, her eyes filled with the unspoken promise of unwavering loyalty, support, and protection.
The cityscape blurs past us, a disorienting mess of neon lights and shadows. Sienna’s knuckles turn white on the steering wheel as she drives with a determination that leaves no room for hesitation or doubt.
“Anna,” she says, her voice strained with worry, “I’ve been trying to reach you for days—emails, texts, calls—but I got nothing. Not a single word from you. I was scared out of my mind.”
Her eyes flicker over to me, assessing my well-being. I cringe at the memory of my abandoned phone in the Volkov mansion, feeling a pang of guilt for making her worry.
“Sienna, I’m so sorry,” I say, swallowing hard. “I didn’t have my phone with me—I didn’t know what to say.”
“Didn’t know what to say?” she echoes, her tone softening but confusion still evident. “You could have found a way to let me know you were okay.”
My eyes sting with unshed tears as I remember the tumultuous events of the past few days—the allure of the Volkov brothers, the danger lurking in the shadows, and the undeniable chemistry between us. How can I explain this whirlwind of emotions and experiences to Sienna without sounding like a character from one of her beloved romance novels?
“Things have been…complicated,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “But I promise, I’ll tell you everything.”
“Alright,” she says, nodding her acceptance. “We can talk when we get to my place.”
As the car continues down the dark streets, I find myself lost in thought, grappling with the reality of my situation. The weight of the choices I’ve made settles heavily on my shoulders, leaving me feeling vulnerable and exposed. But with Sienna by my side, I know that I am not alone in this fight. And that, at least for now, is enough.
The city lights blur past the car window, casting eerie shadows that mirror the turmoil inside me. Sienna’s grip on the steering wheel tightens before she speaks.
“Really, Annalise? You couldn’t have sent a text or an email just saying you were okay?” she asks, sarcasm biting at her words.
My heart clenches, and the guilt I’ve been holding on to surges forward. “I’m sorry, Sienna,” I choke out, tears threatening to spill over. “I feel like I’ve ruined everything.”
“Hey, hey.” She reaches over, resting a comforting hand on my knee. “You haven’t ruined anything. We’ll figure it out, okay?”
I nod, but the reassurance does little to quell the storm of emotions raging within me. My mind races, recalling the magnetic draw of the Volkov brothers and the passion they ignited. Yet, behind the heat, danger lurks—danger I could never have anticipated.
“Promise me something, Sienna,” I say quietly, my voice wavering.
“Anything,” she replies without hesitation.
“Promise me that no matter what happens, we’ll stick together.” The words emerge from the depths of my soul, desperate for an anchor in this turbulent sea.
“Of course,” she answers firmly, squeezing my knee. “Always.”
In that moment, as the darkness wraps around us like a shroud, I cling to that promise with every fiber of my being. With Sienna by my side, I find the strength to face whatever lies ahead.
“Thank you,” I whisper, allowing myself to lean into the solace of our friendship.
“Anytime, Lily,” she says softly, a bittersweet smile gracing her lips. “Now let’s get you home.”
The city lights blur through my tear-streaked vision as Sienna navigates the maze of streets, her grip on the steering wheel firm and steady. My heart feels heavy in my chest, a mix of guilt and uncertainty weighing me down.
“Here we are,” Sienna announces, pulling into the underground parking garage of her apartment complex. The car comes to a stop, and she turns off the engine. “Take your time, Lily. Let it out.”
Her words break the final dam holding back my tears, and I crumble, burying my face in my hands as sobs rack my body. Sienna wastes no time, unbuckling her seat belt and wrapping her arms around me. Her embrace is warm and comforting—a lifeline in the midst of chaos.
