Holding her phone and bag, Sienna rose from her seat. Her voice grew softer. "Okay, I'm heading out."
She lowered her head and walked past Daniel as she left.
Daniel watched Sienna leave the ward, feeling increasingly downcast. He thought she didn't want anything to do with him anymore.
The last time he tried to assert his authority over her, it had frightened her. That had been a big mistake. Since then, he had been overwhelmed by feelings of regret and guilt. After a while, Felix approached Daniel while carrying his luggage. "Dan, let's go."
Daniel shook himself from his reverie and took Felix's bags. "I'll take those."
Felix was delighted, his eyes shining with admiration. "Thanks."
As Daniel started the car and drove out of the hospital, he spotted Sienna in his rearview mirror, riding her electric scooter. He slowed down, his attention momentarily fixated on her. Felix picked up on his distraction. "You don't have to wait for Sienna. She takes this route daily and knows it like the back of her hand.
"She'll probably take a shortcut at the next intersection and get there faster than us."
Daniel refocused and nodded in response. "Okay."
Felix stole a glance at Daniel before speaking sincerely, "Sienna might seem fierce sometimes, but she's mostly sweet and caring. "She's been handling most household chores since we were kids and always looking out for us. She's reliable and kind."
"I'm aware," Daniel responded with a faint smile.
"She's been the backbone of our family. When Dad fell ill while I was in college, she handled everything-medical bills, debts-all on her own." "I know she's amazing," Daniel said.
Felix's curiosity sparked. "If you know how great she is, why did you two break up?"
Daniel's expression softened with a hint of sadness. "Sienna believes I don't meet her standards. She didn't have feelings for me."
Felix was taken aback. He clenched
his fists and said in frustration, "She must've been blind. I always thought it was my mom who was against you two being together. But now I see it that the problem is actually Sienna." Contents belong to NovelDrama.Org
"Did your mom disapprove of us?" Daniel asked.
Felix nodded. "Yeah, she was pretty against it. She even talked about suicide once. I'm not sure if it was because of that."
Daniel fell silent as he concentrated on driving.
Felix's phone buzzed as the car pulled up to his apartment building. Glancing at the screen, Felix turned to Daniel and said, "Dan, Sienna wants you to join us for a meal upstairs."
Daniel looked surprised. "Sienna?"
Felix double-checked the message and then handed his phone to Daniel. "Actually, it's my mom inviting you for a meal."
Curious about the message, Daniel took the phone and read it.
"Mom says Captain Morrison has helped us a lot. Today, you're discharged from the hospital, so invite him over for a meal to thank him properly. Bring him upstairs." Daniel read the message silently. Shortly after, another message came through.
"It's Mom inviting him. Make sure to bring him upstairs."
Daniel returned the phone to Felix and unfastened his seatbelt before exiting the car.
Felix quickly did the same, saying happily, "Our place is a little cramped. I hope you don't mind."
Daniel grabbed Felix's bags and followed him upstairs.
When they arrived at the door, it was already open. Felix put on his slippers and went in first. He announced, "Mom, I'm home."
Daniel shut the door behind him and
turned to find Sienna crouching before him, taking out a new pair of slippers from the shoe cabinet. She softly said, "I just got these. They're brand new."
Daniel's eyes softened with warmth as he looked at her.
Sienna felt a bit shy meeting his gaze, so she glanced down. She took the bags from him. "Let me take those."