Escaping the Abyss of Love novel Chapter 4

Ingrid nudged Sienna toward Connor. She gazed at them like a masterpiece on display in a gallery.

"Look at that. What a perfect pair!" she declared.

Sienna was already leaning against Connor's chest.

"Mom, come on. Sienna's engaged," Connor said, though the way he leaned into her gave him away.

Sienna stifled a shy laugh, keeping quiet.

Seeing the three of them so happy together, I couldn't bring myself to stay any longer.

"Connor, I'm feeling pretty beat. You should hang back here with Sienna and Ingrid," I said.

Caught up in Sienna's charm, Connor barely looked my way. He simply grunted in acknowledgment.

By the time I reached the balcony upstairs and peered down, Sienna had already slipped her arm through Connor's.

Ingrid's piercing voice drifted up from below. "Connor, you need to get that woman out of the Searle family for good. She's nothing but trouble! And Sienna's fiancé is a total loser. You two should pick a date and tie the knot already!"

Hearing her words, Connor looked over at Sienna, his eyes filled with profound tenderness. But Sienna's evasive look quickly replaced the affection in his eyes with pain.

I couldn't bear to watch any longer. I returned to my bed, pulled the covers over me, and sank into deep sleep.

When I woke up, night had already fallen. Still half-asleep, I caught Connor's voice coming from outside the door.

My stomach twisted into knots, a fiery ache burning in my chest with no way of escaping. I stared blankly at the wall, then slammed my head against it. A wave of dizziness washed over me, and finally, I felt better.

When I turned, I caught my reflection in the mirror—messy and shattered—and broke down sobbing. I sat there, feeling hollow until the clock struck midnight.

Connor never returned, and the guest room next door was alive with playful, teasing giggles.

As dawn began to break, the door to my room slowly creaked open. It wasn't Connor who stepped inside. It was Sienna.

I was slumped on the floor, completely broken. She took one look at me and let out a mocking laugh.

Pointing at me, she sneered. "Evan used to be crazy about you, didn't he? But all I had to do was lift a finger, and he was in my bed. And Connor? Sure, he married you, but he was also in my bed, right under the same roof as you."