The Wrong Woman

"Why didn't you offer an explanation when you learned my mother was gone?" Sienna asked.

"I didn't want to say anything negative about her," Daniel answered.

Sienna's heart swelled with a jumble of emotions, tears blurring her vision.

Her voice carried a hint of bitterness as she spoke, "So, just because you thought it was best for me and my family, I'm supposed to be grateful? Am I expected to overlook the pain you've caused, the wounds I've endured, the abandonment?"

"Sisi, I know it's my fault. I admit it," Daniel's tone dripped with remorse as he cautiously broached the next question, "But what about you? Have you ever truly loved me?"

Confusion marred Sienna's features as she looked at him. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Daniel's smile twisted with bitterness as he dredged up painful memories. Tears welled in his eyes as he uttered words that cut deep. "When I was infatuated with you, you treated me as though I were merely a patient in need of care.

"Despite sacrificing everything to be by your side and wholeheartedly pursuing your affection, you regarded me no differently than any other suitor. Did you genuinely love me, or was I just a checkbox in your search for compatibility?"

His smile grew more wistful as he went on, "Now that we're married, your love feels distant, almost intangible. It's as if your heart belongs to someone else entirely. Every day, I wrestle with uncertainty. Can any explanation change our reality?"

Sienna lowered her head, her heart twisting with discomfort. Guilt burdened her soul.

heard about him from Wanda, and from that moment, she admired and

secret admiration had begun on the very first day she

their social statuses and her own insecurities, she never dared to openly express her feelings for

while they were dating, she harbored a constant sense of unworthiness in

refrained from revealing the depth of her

down, she always doubted her worthiness to Daniel, convinced that their paths would eventually

union, her lack of confidence

proposal had pierced her self-esteem

her heart grew heavy; dwelling on the past

the topic. "Please

moment before he spoke softly, "Alright, I'll go along

to eat without me,"

taken only

et

and enveloping her inca tight embrace from behind, his

I'm sorry."

in his voice, Sienna experienced a mix of sadness and