Chapter 5

I rose the following day to the aroma of a cooked meal. Howard had already set everything up.

Observing the weariness evident on his face, I was about to express my gratitude when a message from my superior caught my eye.

[Supervisor: Sienna, the plan you turned in this time was outstanding! The executives are truly impressed! As a result, your annual performance review has been approved!]

But hadn't Howard deemed my draft inadequate just yesterday?

Intrigued, I viewed the attachment from my boss. That's when I realized—the version they received wasn't my final edit.

I verified the timestamp of the email I'd sent. It was during the night—while I was fast asleep.

So, his exhausted appearance was due to staying up late, revising my proposal, and even submitting it on my behalf.

I couldn't understand his motivation. Was this truly just to assist Lance in "managing" me? The idea seemed off, so I asked him directly.

But when our gazes met, I noticed a complexity in his eyes that I couldn't quite interpret.

He also evaded my question, so I didn't pursue it further.

As grown-ups, there were times when verbal communication wasn't necessary. I thought I comprehended, but I dared not believe it.

While hurriedly eating breakfast, I accidentally stumbled on the table's edge. Swiftly, Howard caught me before I tumbled.

However, the way I fell... my mouth grazed his collarbone, and my hand landed somewhere entirely inappropriate. Consequently, the atmosphere between us changed instantly.

And to make matters worse, Lance walked in at that precise moment. Seeing us in that position, he paused, taking in the scene before making a quip. "Uncle, you're having quite the morning!"

However, his lighthearted jest was met with Howard's stern response. "Leave."

Being dismissed by the family patriarch, Lance promptly fled without another word.

Meanwhile, I quickly pulled away in mortification. With my cheeks burning, I rushed upstairs. But I couldn't help noticing that Howard's face had turned equally red, extending down to his neck.

By the time I was prepared to depart for work, he still hadn't left.

"Let's go together," he suggested.

His residence was midway up a hillside, making it nearly impossible to hail a taxi. Reluctantly, I agreed.

The drive was uncomfortably silent. The tension in the air was palpable, but fortunately, the office wasn't distant.

Unfortunately, as I exited his vehicle, I bumped right into Lance.

His eyes widened in shock. "Sienna, you..." He reached out to grab me, but a single icy look from Howard halted him. Lance lowered his hand and muttered awkwardly, "Uncle..."

Between the two of them, I preferred dealing with Lance. The discomfort from earlier still lingered, making it impossible for me to face Howard.

Luckily, an assistant arrived at the perfect moment to discuss work with him, so he vanished towards the upper floor after a brief glance in my direction.

However, I hadn't even reached my workstation when Lance pulled me into the break room.

"Sienna, you've got some nerve," he sneered. "Knowing I won't marry you, you've pursued my uncle instead? You're not even good enough for me—what makes you think someone like him would want you?"

Before I could respond, he added, "Sure, I've agreed to the marriage with the Fowlers, but I never intended to end things with you. As long as you remain quiet and behave like you have these past few days, you'll always be my secret lover. We can continue this indefinitely!"

I gazed at him, astonished by his sheer audacity. Just when I thought Lance couldn't sink any lower, he proved me wrong.

When you were utterly speechless, sometimes all you could do was laugh.

But Lance misinterpreted it as a sign I'd forgiven him. Smiling, he leaned in, attempting to press me against the wall and kiss me.

Struggling, I grabbed the nearest mug of hot coffee and splashed it in his face. "What do you take me for?"

For the first time, I didn't meet his shamelessness with kindness.

Coffee trickled down his face as he wiped at it, his expression darkening like a thundercloud. "Sienna! I'm willing to sneak around behind Maia's back for you, to promise I'll see you every week—and you're still acting out? You never used to be like this!"

"You're right. But that was before—back when I believed we had a genuine relationship," I said calmly.

"We did, and we still do. We'll always be together. Why are you being so unreasonable all of a sudden?" Lance replied, frustration evident in his voice.

To him, I was nothing more than a shadow—a lover meant to remain hidden, never allowed to step into the light.

Contemplating this, the ache in my heart dulled into numbness.

I shoved him away with all my might, but he clung to me like a madman, refusing to release me.

Suddenly, the break room door flew open. Lance froze and immediately let me go when he saw who had entered.

I realized then that as long as I remained single, Lance would keep latching onto me in this repulsive, suffocating manner.

Mustering my courage, I threw myself into Howard's arms and called out sweetly, "Darling, what brings you here?"

Lance's face contorted with disbelief. He took a cautious step back but then forced himself to step forward, eager to explain himself to Howard.

"Uncle, this woman's insane—"

"Enough," Howard interrupted, his voice icy cold. "She's your aunt. Show some respect."