From Exile To Queen Of Everything novel Chapter 2

Steering Vivian away from the chaos, Sienna stopped at a quiet corner and gently dabbed at the lingering tears on her cheeks.

Vivian was not so short, but next to Sienna with those heels on, she looked as fragile as a porcelain doll.

"Don't cry, Vivian," Sienna said softly. "Tell me what happened. Tell me everything."

Vivian's shoulders shook with silent sobs. She didn't want to cry, but the injustice of it all was overwhelming.

Everyone had told her Sienna was dead—gone for ten years, a full decade of silence. But she never believed it. There were so many things she wanted to ask her.

Seeing Vivian so upset, Sienna decided to take her somewhere quiet to eat and talk. She took her to a cozy diner and ordered steaks for both of them. As the hot food arrived, Vivian's storm of emotions began to calm.

"Sienna… where were you these years?" she wiped her face clean and finally asked the question that had been haunting her for years, "They all said you were dead… "

Vivian had never believed it—nor had the other sisters. Not the official story about the plane crash. But after ten years without a single word, even the strongest hope begins to fade.

A wave of guilt washed over Sienna. "I thought I was dead, too," she admitted. "By some miracle, I survived. A kind couple found me, adopted me."

Watching Vivian's expression closely, she slowly continued, "But I had amnesia. For ten years, I didn't know who I was. Then, three days ago, everything came rushing back. The moment it did, I booked a flight home to find you."

Amnesia. That single word wiped away a decade of resentment. All the anger Vivian had held onto—for being abandoned, for being left alone—seemed to vanish into thin air.

"It's our fault. We should've found you sooner…" Vivian's voice cracked as she looked across the table at Sienna, scared she might disappear like a ghost.

"Enough of that," Sienna said gently but firmly. "Now, tell me about that Mason."

"He's my ex. But we're over now," Vivian said, a little too quickly. She couldn't bear for Sienna to know the whole, humiliating story. "Speaking of that, how about staying with me tonight?"

Sienna didn't push. If Vivian wouldn't tell her, she'd find out on her own. And anyone who had hurt her family would learn the true meaning of regret.

After they finished eating and talked a bit more, they left the diner. When they arrived at the address Vivian had given, Sienna stopped in her tracks. The building was a rundown walk-up in a rough part of town.

"Vivian, this is where you live?" she asked, disbelief clear in her voice.

Their family home was a sprawling villa at No. 1 Southlake. Why was Vivian living here? Was this some misguided attempt at independence? Sienna felt a knot of confusion tighten in her chest.

Vivian couldn't meet her eyes. She had been thrown out of her home seven years ago. How could she possibly explain that?

"It's not so bad. Come on, let's go up!" she said, leading Sienna upstairs.

Sienna followed silently, swallowing her questions. Just as Vivian reached for the door, a portly, greasy-looking man stepped forward, blocking their way.

"Vivian! Late on the rent again, I see," he boomed. "You're six months behind! With utilities, you owe me two thousand bucks! And now you're bringing guests? Pay up!"

Vivian froze, her face a mixture of panic and shame as she glanced between the landlord and Sienna. She prayed he would just shut up.

"I've been patient with you, you know, 'cause you're a pretty little thing," the landlord continued. "But you're pushing your luck! A girl who looks like you can't scrape together two grand? What a waste."

His eyes roamed over Vivian with a possessive leer that sent a chill down Sienna's spine. It was clear he expected payment of a different kind, not money.

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