Chapter 5 The Breaking Point

(Sienna's POV)

"What the hell is Julian doing here?"

I walked into my office, barely setting my bag down before my PA, Chloe, rushed toward me.

"Mrs. Castellanos," she began hesitantly, glancing over her shoulder as if afraid someone might hear.

I narrowed my eyes. "What?"

She bit her lip. "Your father and... um, your husband are in his office. They've been talking for over an hour."

I frowned. "Julian?"

What the hell was he doing here?

I had assumed he'd be at his own company, playing the perfect CEO while I enjoyed a small break from his insufferable presence. Instead, he was here, discussing something with my father behind my back.

My gut twisted.

I turned on my heels and marched toward my father's office.

Chloe called after me, "Ma'am, should I-"

But I didn't stop.

I pushed the door open without knocking, my pulse hammering in my ears.

My father sat behind his desk, his hands folded in front of him, looking as composed as ever. Julian, on the other hand, leaned against the desk, arms crossed, his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine the moment I stepped in.

Neither of them looked surprised to see me.

"Ah, Sienna," my father said smoothly, gesturing toward the seat across from him. "Sit."

I ignored the chair. "What is going on?"

Julian exhaled sharply, clearly annoyed. "Sit down, Sienna."

"I'd rather stand." My voice was tight.

My father exchanged a look with Julian before leaning back in his chair. "Fine. Then listen carefully."

I braced myself.

"From this day forward, all executive power of the company will be transferred to Julian."

I blinked. "What?"

"You heard me. Julian will take over as CEO."

I let out a breathy laugh. "That's funny. Really. Now, what's actually going on?"

Neither of them so much as smirked.

Oh my God. They were serious.

My stomach dropped.

"You... You're giving my company to him?" I whispered.

My father's jaw tightened. "It's not just yours. And soon, the companies will merge."

The air squeezed out of my lungs.

"You promised me," I said, my voice cracking. "You told me I would take over. You knew I was capable."

My father didn't flinch. "Things change, Sienna."

Things change?

I felt betrayed. Humiliated. Destroyed.

"You forced me into this marriage!" My voice rose, but I didn't care. "You handed me over to Julian like I was some pawn. And now, you're taking away the one thing that was supposed to be mine?"

"Watch your tone," my father snapped. "This is happening whether you like it or not. Deal with it."

Tears burned behind my eyes.

Julian remained silent, watching me like a predator enjoying its prey's suffering.

I couldn't stand it.

I turned and stormed out.

I didn't stop to answer Chloe's worried questions.

I barely remembered grabbing my bag from my office before rushing to my car.

The second I got inside, I broke.

Tears streamed down my face as I gripped the steering wheel. My father had betrayed me. My own husband had stolen what was supposed to be mine.

And I could do nothing about it.

Ding. Ding. Ding.

I ignored my phone. I wasn't in the mood for anything.

Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.

"Ugh!" I yanked it from my bag and unlocked it.

And then-

My entire world collapsed.

Naked pictures.

My naked pictures.

Spread across my screen like a nightmare I couldn't wake up from.

My blood turned ice cold.

My heart stopped.

Ding.

A message popped up.

"Divorce Julian and become my sex mistress, or these pictures go all over the media."

From: Stranger.

No. No. No.

My hands shook violently.

I couldn't breathe.

A strangled scream tore from my throat.

But no one heard.

No one could hear me.

I was trapped.

I clutched my phone and, with trembling fingers, called the only person I could think of.

Harper.

Ring.

Ring.

Ring.

"Hey, Si....."

"PLEASE SAVE ME!" I sobbed, my voice breaking.

****************

Three Months Later

I hadn't been back to the office since that day. Since my father betrayed me.

Since I became a prisoner in my own life. I spent most days locked away, barely eating, barely sleeping.

But lately, things have gotten worse.

Nausea, exhaustion, chills. I was falling apart.

I needed to get out. I needed answers.

I grabbed my phone and called Harper.

"Come with me to the hospital."

"Hospital?" Her voice instantly sharpened. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know," I admitted. "I just... I don't feel right."

"On my way."

Twenty minutes later, I sat in a cold examination room, waiting for the doctor.

Harper was still not here. I was getting nervous.

Finally, the doctor walked in, a clipboard in hand and a smile on his face.

Why was he smiling?

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

"Oh, yes, Mrs. Castellanos," he said. "Congratulations."

I blinked. "Congratulations...?" His smile widened.

"You're twelve weeks pregnant."

Everything. Stopped.

Pregnant.

Pregnant?

My lips parted, but no words came out.

I sat frozen on the examination table, the doctor's words still ringing in my ears.

"You're twelve weeks pregnant." No. No, no, no. This wasn't happening.

"Congratulations once again," he added with a warm smile.

I stared at him, unable to process anything.

A chair scraped against the floor as someone rushed into the room. It was Harper, she was slightly out of breath.

"Sorry, sorry, I...."

She stopped mid-sentence

Her gaze bounced between me and the doctor, then landed on my pale, shocked face.

"OH. MY. GOD." she gasped.

The doctor cleared his throat. "I'll give you both a moment. I'll be back shortly with your prescriptions and some prenatal care recommendations."

I barely noticed him leaving.

Harper clutched my arm. "Sienna! Oh my baby!"

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

"Sienna!" She shook me gently. "This is huge! You're going to be a mom soon!"

I swallowed, my throat dry.

"This isn't something to be happy about, Harper," I whispered.

Her smile faltered. "What? Why not?"

Tears welled up in my eyes. My hands trembled as I gripped the edge of the table.

"Because... I don't know who the father is," I admitted.

Silence.

Harper blinked. "Wait... what do you mean by that?"

My breathing became unsteady. "Harper... The last time I had sex was exactly twelve weeks ago."

I saw realization dawn in her eyes.

"It was those... three reckless nights," we chorused "With the stranger, Julian, and...

"Dominic." Harper finished for me, her eyes widening in horror.

"Damn, Fuck, Oh this is bad, Sienna."

Her voice was sharp, panicked. "I warned you!"

Tears slid down my cheeks. "I... I didn't know it would get to this!"

Harper started pacing. "Okay, okay. Think. We need to figure this out before anyone does."

My heart pounded.

"We have one option," she finally said, turning to me

I wiped at my wet cheeks. "What?"

She took a deep breath.

"Leave Julian. And find the stranger." My stomach dropped.

"What?!!!!!"