His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

Chapter 22 Chapter

22

Before I could react, she yanked me forward, pulling me toward the champagne tower. In an instant, the delicate glasses crashed to the floor, shattering in every direction. Champagne spilled like a river, mixing with shards of glass. Pain seared through me as the glass cut into my skin, but I was more shocked than hurt. Sienna let out a high-pitched cry, cradling her injured arm, drawing all eyes toward us. Nathan rushed over, his face pale with concern. "What happened?" he demanded, his voice tight with worry as he helped Sienna to her feet first. His focus was entirely on her, not even glancing at me struggling to stand with glass lodged in my knee. Sienna's eyes welled up with crocodile tears as she clutched Nathan's arm, wincing in exaggerated pain. "Nathan, don't be angry with Doris," she whimpered, playing the victim flawlessly. "I know she didn't mean it... It's just-her son died, and she's been so angry. I understand why she'd take it out on me. I'm her sister. I'm the only one left to blame."

The mention of Oliver-my son-made my blood boil. She had no right to use his memory to manipulate the situation. A surge of rage overtook me, and without thinking, I grabbed a shard of glass near me and threw it in Sienna's direction. Nathan moved swiftly, blocking it with his arm, wincing as it grazed him. His eyes turned cold, fury etched across his face. "Enough!" he snapped, his voice like ice. "I don't care how much you're hurting, Doris, but that's no excuse for taking it out on Sienna!" Chapter 22 The betrayal In his tone stung, far more than any physical pain I was feeling. I stared at him, disbelieving, as he chose to side with Sienna without a second thought. Her lie-so effortlessly spun-was enough for him to erase all the apologies and remorse he had shown me in recent days.

Sienna's expression shifted as she saw Nathan turn against me. She gave me a look that said everything-victory, smugness, triumph. She had won, and she wanted me to know it. I watched her bask in the attention, her tear-filled eyes and innocent act convincing everyone

around us.

I wasn't finished. Without a word, I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone, the weight of it grounding me. Sienna's

the audio from our earlier conversation filled the room. The sound of her voice, dripping with malice, played out for everyone to hear. She confessed everything-her lies, her manipulation of Nathan, her disdain for him. The crowd around us went silent, shock and disbelief hanging thick in the air. Nathan's expression shifted from confusion to anger as he listened. The words played back, each one

at me, trying to **h the phone from my hand. "Doris! You b**h, how dare you record me without my permission!"

the phone out of her reach. "Oh,

you," I said, my voice calm but

Are you scared now?"