"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.
Even before meeting Daniel, Sienna had heard about him from Wanda, and from that moment, she admired and liked him.
In truth, her secret admiration had begun on the very first day she laid eyes on him.
However, due to the stark difference in their social statuses and her own insecurities, she never dared to openly express her feelings for Daniel. She felt inadequate.
Even while they were dating, she harbored a constant sense of unworthiness in his presence.
The more she felt this way, the more she refrained from revealing the depth of her love for him.
Deep down, she always doubted her worthiness to Daniel, convinced that their paths would eventually diverge, even after their marriage.
Despite their union, her lack of confidence persisted.
Even Daniel's words during his proposal had pierced her self-esteem deeply.
Sienna's appetite waned as her heart grew heavy; dwelling on the past held no appeal. She was determined to focus on shaping their future.
With a deep breath, she changed the topic. "Please don't resign from your job, okay?"
Daniel paused, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he spoke softly, "Alright, I'll go along with what you say."
"I'm not hungry anymore; feel free to eat without me," Sienna said before excusing herself from the table.
She had taken only a few steps
when Daniel hastily rose, catching et anxious and urgent, "Sisi, 19
up to her and enveloping her inca tight embrace from behind, his voice
I'm sorry."
Feeling the warmth of his embrace and sensing the worry in his voice, Sienna experienced a mix of sadness and confusion. "What's the sudden apology for?" she asked, perplexed.
Since their reunion, Daniel had apologized to her countless times, often without a clear reason.
With his eyes closed, Daniel drew a deep breath, leaning down to rest his face against her shoulder.
His voice, filled with desperation,
quivered softly, "Please, don't shirret Se. It's all my fault. I just
me
see you happy. I'll do anything.Contents belong to NovelDrama.Org
Sienna felt a twinge of confusion. Was he taking the blame indiscriminately?
She knew she didn't deserve Daniel, yet he continued to humble himself to please her.
This realization only intensified the ache in her heart for him.
"I'm not ignoring you," Sienna whispered.