In Her Darkest Hour, His Love Shone Brightest

"We've found proof that Mrs. Wells' husband has been unfaithful, Mr. Lawson."

At the golf course, Julian Lawson halted his swing, his lips twisting into an indifferent grin. "Just take it to her."

He envisioned Sienna Wells' beautiful face marred by tears, the image rendering her quite fragile and broken.

He found the idea rather exhilarating.

Julian adjusted his collar and took a powerful swing, the golf ball tracing a flawless trajectory.

The caddy exclaimed with joy, "That's a perfect hole-in-one!"

With satisfaction, Julian handed the club back to the caddy. "Hand out two million in bonuses, split it among everyone here."

As the group erupted with cheers, he left.

Later that night, Julian was in his office perusing documents when his assistant burst in.

"Mr. Lawson..." Eric Sutton called out.

Without raising his eyes, Julian said, "What's the problem? Any issues with the Wells family? Go check on it, ensure Sienna's alright."

"It's not that!" Eric looked seriously worried. "Mrs. Wells has gone to the Windward Oasis!"

Julian slammed the contract shut. "A disabled person at a nightclub? What is she doing, disco dancing?"

Julian took off his glasses, his expression growing stern as he strode out.

Eric scrambled to follow. "The Windward Oasis isn't just any nightclub."

Julian stopped short, his gaze fixed on a large painting in the hallway.

The portrait showed a young Sienna at eighteen, wearing a ballet outfit and dancing under a spotlight, her presence ethereal and utterly captivating.

His expression tightened. What was Sienna doing at the nightclub?

Upstairs in the Windward Oasis, Sienna sat quietly in the luxurious suite.

Her wheelchair seemed more like an iron prison, confining her motionless body and her spirit, which was fading slowly.

Up until this evening, she had considered herself fortunate.

Her legs were paralyzed, yet she believed she had a devoted husband. That compromising video, however, shattered her peace like a harsh slap of reality.

Now, she discovered that both her love and her closest friend had betrayed her by having an affair.

Overwhelmed by grief, Sienna covered her face, her eyes too dry to shed tears.

Footsteps sounded as the door swung open.

Straightening herself, Sienna adjusted her posture. "Zoe has informed you of what I need, hasn't she?"

The silence that followed made her tighten her grip on the armrests.

"I'm willing to pay, but remember, tonight stays between us, or else... or else I'll make sure you regret it," she continued.

Her frustration was palpable; it was too gentle to sound threatening.

Then, a hand landed softly on her shoulder.

Sienna tensed up immediately!

The hand slid to her chin, its warmth and the roughness of calluses brushing her skin.

She frowned slightly. "You should have smoothed your hands before coming."

The hand paused.

Taking a deep breath, Sienna pulled a blindfold from her bag and tied it around her eyes.

With the blindfold on, she could avoid the pitying stares at her legs.

For this brief encounter, she preferred ignorance about his identity; her motive was revenge, not romance.

"You can start."

Julian was no stranger to challenging situations, yet his heart raced.

He stepped in front of her and chuckled.

The image of a sad frog on her blindfold met his gaze.

Did she enjoy quirky things like this? He realized he might not know her as well as he thought.

When the blindfold suddenly came off, Sienna tensed. "What are you doing here?"

"That frog isn't exactly romantic," he commented, his voice deep and soothing, reminiscent of a piano's lower chords.

Doubt flickered in Sienna's mind. Her friend Zoe Owen had promised to find her a young virgin, but this man was flirtatious and anything but innocent.

Before she could think further, a soft handkerchief covered her eyes.

She caught a faint whiff of a Fougère fragrance, reminiscent of ferns, hearty and resolute.

"You have exquisite taste," she remarked.

"Thanks for the kind words."

Suddenly, she found herself being gently placed on a soft bed.

Sienna braced herself, wary of the pain she had been warned would come with her first experience of intimacy.

Expecting him to undress her, she was surprised when he kissed her instead.

His kiss was gentle and respectful, filled with an odd devotion.

It was nothing like her aggressive first kiss at eighteen, which had left her with bruised lips.

That night had been so dark that she couldn't see the face of the person who stole her first kiss.

Her wandering thoughts snapped back as the man in front of her lifted her skirt. Ready for his scorn, she was instead met with admiration.

"Beautiful."

Beautiful? How could he find beauty in her scarred legs?

In a trembling voice, she asked, "Don't these scars look more like a worm to you?"

"No, they're beautiful, resembling the elegant stem of a rose."

And with that, he kissed the scars.

Suddenly, Sienna felt a tingling sensation coursing through her body!

Confusion washed over her. Her legs were supposed to feel nothing; what was this feeling?

Julian saw her tense up and whispered as he kissed her, "Don't worry, I'll be very gentle..."

Yet, she felt betrayed once more.

During sex, tears flowed freely from Sienna due to the intensity of her first experience. By the time it was over, she felt exhausted.

The man Zoe had introduced her to was nothing short of a disaster, causing her pain that felt like her body was tearing apart.

Julian tried to offer comfort, holding her close, but Sienna gently pushed him back.

"Just leave, please. I'll tell them you did well."

Julian paused, lost for words momentarily.

Despite the situation, a flicker of pleasant surprise appeared in his eyes as he recalled her lack of experience during their intimate moment. "Was this a first for you?"

Sienna stiffened in his embrace, turning her face away dismissively. "That's none of your concern. Just go."

He watched her a moment longer, then softly kissed her cheek before heading to the bathroom.

Alone, Sienna curled into a tight ball, her mind racing. She questioned whether taking such a drastic step was really worth it just to get back at her husband, Rhett Wells.

Julian returned shortly, the sound of his clothing rustling as he dressed. He brushed a gentle kiss on her shoulder.

"Don't you want to know who I am?" he asked.

"I'd rather not," Sienna responded, her voice low and resolute.

With a lingering touch, Julian stroked her skin. "We'll see each other again."

His departure from the room was marked by the sound of the door closing. After that, silence enveloped the space.

Sienna then took off her blindfold.

It was a dark green handkerchief, embroidered with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, its classic colors vivid against the fabric.

She muttered, "All this trouble just to keep a dog?"

What a poor guy!

As a result, she gave Zoe some additional money to give to the man whom she had a one-night stand with, instructing her, "Keep this quiet, will you?"

Zoe arched an eyebrow, responding, "He might not actually need the money."

Nevertheless, she took the cash and, with a curious tilt of her head, inquired, "Is he good in bed?"

A flush spread across Sienna's cheeks. "Yes, he is."

She wasn't telling the truth.

The experience was harsh, nothing like the steamy and pleasurable scenes depicted in romance novels.

Wanting to leave the topic behind, Sienna said, "Please, take me home now."

The lingering scent of the man clung to her, urging her to wash it off, yet no suitable bathing facilities were available.

Without pressing further, Zoe arranged for a car.

Throughout the ride home, Sienna was lost in her thoughts. When the car pulled up outside her villa, she spotted a tall, lean figure pacing nervously nearby.

Her heart ached once more as she recognized that the figure was her unfaithful husband.

But mixed with the sorrow was a subtle thrill of vengeance.

Rhett glanced up, puzzled, as the car door swung open and he saw Sienna.

"Why are you arriving in this car?"

The car? Sienna wondered briefly what he found odd about it.

Distracted, she hadn't noticed which car she had entered.

As the dome light illuminated the interior, Sienna recognized the lush setting and the subtle yet familiar scent of men's cologne.

That fragrance stirred a memory.

As the driver prepared the wheelchair, Rhett stepped forward to assist her, but she declined.

In a composed tone, Sienna instructed the driver, "Could you help me out of the car?"

The driver suppressed a smile, obliging by lifting her into the wheelchair.

It was only then that Sienna saw the car clearly-adorned with the distinctive Spirit of Ecstasy figure, a symbol of Rolls-Royce, yet the model was unfamiliar.

"This is a limited edition Rolls-Royce from this year; only thirty exist in the world, five of which are in Vrarphis," Rhett explained, his eyes probing hers for an explanation. "Here in Plinas, Julian Lawson is the only one who owns such a car."

Julian was the wealthiest man in Vrarphis's northern region and led the Lawson family.

The thought of Julian brought to mind his piercing, cold gaze, making Sienna shudder.

How had she ended up in Julian's ride? Was he there at Windward Oasis as well?

As she grappled with these thoughts, the driver courteously said to Rhett, "Mr. Lawson was hosting an event at Windward Oasis. Upon learning that Mrs. Wells were there, he specifically sent me to escort her safely home."

So, this man was Julian's driver? Sienna wondered. That explained his remarkable poise.

The driver turned to Sienna, saying, "Mr. Lawson's grandmother has been fondly thinking of you and hopes you'll visit more often."

Sienna nodded and replied, "I'll make sure to do that."

As the car drove away, Rhett's face tightened with displeasure as he asked her, "What were you up to at Windward Oasis? Meeting with Zoe again? She isn't exactly reputable."

Sienna glided past him in her electric wheelchair. "And what constitutes a reputable woman in your eyes? Someone like Natalia?"

Rhett quickly followed her, asking anxiously, "Sienna, what are you implying?"

She halted and, noticing the brief flash of panic on his face, felt a coldness settle in her heart.

"It's nothing. Zoe just got back from Veland. We were simply catching up over a meal. I forgot to mention it to you."

Rhett searched her face for any sign of deceit. Finding none-he always saw her as compliant-he eased up and knelt beside her.

"Sienna, please understand. I worry when you're out because of your mobility issues. Why not invite Zoe here instead?"

He noticed her silence and took her hand. "I love you so much and just want to keep you safe."

Sienna looked down at Rhett, seeing the same affectionate expression that had misled her for two years, maybe even longer than she realized.

Pulling her hand away, she said, "I'm exhausted. I need to rest now."

Nearby, her aide, Nina Miller, was ready and quickly stepped up to wheel her back to her room.

Rhett stepped away, pausing to look back where the Rolls-Royce had vanished into the night.

Atop Windward Oasis, in the lavish VIP suite, Zoe received a set of keys, the Rolls-Royce emblem shimmering under the lights.

Zoe, usually composed, couldn't mask her excitement. Such a car was a rare global luxury, not merely obtainable with wealth.

"Thank you for the reward, Mr. Lawson. It was hardly any trouble at all."

Despite saying so, she took the keys.

By the expansive window, a man cloaked in a deep burgundy robe stood with his back turned, overseeing Plinas's nighttime skyline like a king.

He murmured, "You did well. Yet, doesn't it weigh on you, betraying a friend like that?"

The intensity of his presence was undeniable, yet Zoe, with a slight grin, responded, "For someone as beautiful as Sienna, ordinary men simply won't do."

She fiddled with the car keys, her gaze captivating. "And she thought you were good in bed."

Julian's lips twitched into a slight smile as he finished his wine. "Should you need anything in the future, feel free to ask."

Zoe, reassured by having such a formidable ally, finally voiced her lingering doubt. "If I may, Mr. Lawson, what exactly do you feel towards Sienna?"

Considering Sienna's situation-a beautiful woman, yet married and with a disability-it was curious that Julian, a man of his standing, would extend such efforts.

Julian absentmindedly ran a finger over the scar on his left index finger, his expression softening.

"She's a precious gem that I've rediscovered."

Though Zoe was filled with more questions, she held back, sensing some boundaries shouldn't be crossed.

After her departure, Julian turned to Erick. "Arrange for me to be at Ivy Wells' birthday party in two days."

Erick responded, somewhat critically, "Sir, this secret lover act seems beneath you."

Julian, gazing through his empty glass at the moon, smiled wryly. "Just wait until I openly claim what's rightfully mine."

He was set on openly and proudly reclaiming Sienna.