A smirk twisted Kaelan’s lips.

“I told you to apologize to Bianca yesterday, and you refused. Sienna, did no one ever teach you that there are consequences for your actions?”

Sienna’s throat tightened. The burn on her stomach began to throb again, and beads of cold sweat formed on her forehead.

“My actions? Yesterday, she was the one who reached out and knocked over the bowl, splashing it all over me. Why am I the one in the wrong?”

Kaelan’s gaze raked over her body, inch by inch. He scoffed. “Splashed all over you?”

“Bianca was in so much pain she couldn’t sleep all night, and you’re telling me it splashed all over you? Sienna, have you lost your mind? Who would believe a lie like that? If you’d been splashed, you would’ve been screaming in pain!”

Sienna’s eyes reddened. Her lips parted as if to argue, but in the end, she said nothing.

What was there to say?

No matter what she said, Kaelan wouldn’t believe her.

Once, she would have cried out in pain. And Kaelan would have patiently soothed her.

But later, as his company took off and he was constantly busy, he had no time for her. So she learned to tend to her own wounds, to stop crying out for him.

Kaelan never noticed that Sienna rarely, if ever, sought his comfort anymore.

Sienna took a deep breath. She had to get that original draft. Otherwise, the stain of plagiarism would follow her forever, destroying her.

“What do I have to do to get the draft back?”

Kaelan’s gaze shifted away, as if looking at her was somehow distasteful.

“Apologize to Bianca. If she forgives you, I’ll give it to you.”

Sienna swallowed the dull ache in her heart. She closed her eyes, a single tear escaping and tracing a path down her cheek.

“Fine. I’ll apologize to her.”

Three days later.

Kaelan organized a get-together with everyone from their circle.

They had no idea what it was for.

“Kael, what’s the occasion?”

Kaelan raised an eyebrow.

“I told you all, messing with Bianca is the same as messing with me. Someone knowingly crossed that line, so they have to be taught a lesson.”

The others started to get interested.

“Who was it?”

“Yeah, who had the balls to piss off Kaelan’s girl?”

Just then, Sienna walked in. She bowed her head and apologized directly to Bianca.

“I was malicious. I acted on my jealousy and deliberately spilled the broth on you. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”

The room went silent for a beat.

Then, someone laughed out loud.

“Oh, it was her. Is she that desperate to get Kaelan back? Pulling a stunt like that? You’d never guess it from the way she acts.”

“I know, right? She always seemed so proud. Who knew she was like this behind his back.”

Kaelan’s voice was filled with contempt.

“That’s enough. Just don’t ever bother Bianca again.”

When Sienna lifted her head, her face was a blank mask. “Can I have my draft now?” she asked, her voice flat.

Kaelan frowned, annoyed.

“I said, only when Bianca accepts your apology!”

Sienna turned her head mechanically to face Bianca.

Bianca, looking terrified, threw herself back into Kaelan’s arms.

Sienna stared at the two of them, pressed so tightly together.

“I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?”

Bianca clung to Kaelan. “Kael, my hand still hurts so much…”

Kaelan glanced at Sienna’s emotionless face and snarled.

“Didn’t you hear me?! You apologize until she accepts it. Again!”