Chapter 35

Sienna sighed as the door closed behind her, a feeling of dread settling in. She had never expected her mother to pay a surprise visit, and now she wanted nothing more than to run to Riley for comfort. Deep down, she knew this conversation would lead to trouble. Her mind raced, overwhelmed with thoughts. She didn’t want to lie about her relationship with Riley; she longed to be open and honest.

Sienna’s mother, Vivian Reed sat on the sofa and placed her handbag on the center table. “Take a seat,” she instructed, pointing to the sofa across from her. Sienna nodded and adjusted the lighting to a warm tone before slowly walking over to sit down.

Vivian crossed her legs and arms, scrutinizing her daughter with a piercing gaze. “What are you doing with Riley?” she asked.

“Ma, I’m just trying to help—”

A loud slam on the table startled Sienna. “I’m not asking about that right now, Sienna. What are these social media pages shipping the two of you? Are you dating someone from the family that killed your own sister?!”

“Ma!” Sienna retorted, her voice rising. “They didn’t kill Sophie! You know it was an accident!”

“Even so! Harriet was with her when it happened! If they weren’t involved romantically, Sophie would still be alive!” Her mother’s voice boomed.

Sienna bit her lip, fighting back tears. “They made the decision to run away that time, but why are Riley and I the ones suffering the most?”

“Sienna, you know you’re the daughter of prestigious cosmetics company owners! You will be the heiress! What you’re doing is outrageous!”

“Ma! The same goes for Riley! She’s also the daughter of prestigious company owners! She will be an heiress too! Why can’t I choose what I want? Why can’t I be who I want to be?” Sienna exclaimed, clutching the fabric of her skirt.

“Can you hear yourself right now, Sienna? If your father discovers this, you’ll be in serious trouble!” Vivian’s eyes narrowed, staring intensely at her daughter.

“I don’t care! He always does what he wants! I’m not even allowed to make my own choices. You and Dad are always dictating my life! I’m of legal age now, Ma!” Sienna’s voice quivered with emotion. “You’ve been controlling me all this time, and I’m sick of it.”

Vivian paused, taking a deep breath to calm herself. “What do you want to happen? Do you want us to leave you alone to ruin your reputation?”

“Ma, that’s not it! I just want your support! If Riley’s parents can do it, why can’t you?!”

“You what?! You’ve met Riley’s parents?!” Vivian stood up, her hands on her hips.

Sienna lowered her gaze, feeling the weight of her mother’s scrutiny. “Yes, I met them. They welcomed me with smiles. Auntie Maggie even let me call her ‘Mom’ because that’s what Sophie used to call her.”

Vivian approached Sienna, her expression softening slightly. “What did you just say?”

Sienna bit her lip, bracing herself for the reaction. “I said, Auntie Maggie let me call her ‘Mom’...”

“Sienna Pierce, I’m asking you what you just said!” Vivian’s tone was sharp.

Sienna stood tall, meeting her mother’s furious gaze. “They accepted and welcomed me! Riley’s family treated me well! I met them once, and they were kind!”

Taken aback, Vivian paused, trying to process the information. “You met Riley’s family? So you two... you’re dating?”

Sienna averted her gaze, heart racing. “I’m Riley’s girlfriend, Ma. We’re in a relationship.”

Vivian’s shock was palpable. She had thought the rumors were just that—rumors. But hearing it from Sienna confirmed the reality she couldn’t ignore.

“Ma, please. I haven’t done anything wrong. Just let me have my relationship with Riley,” Sienna pleaded, reaching for her mother’s hands.

“I don’t know, Sienna... If this goes out of hand, your father will be furious.” Vivian’s expression shifted, worry creeping in.

Riley stood outside her unit, pacing back and forth, her anxiety building with every passing second. She stopped abruptly when she heard the door across from hers open. Sienna’s mother stepped out, her presence commanding attention. Riley froze, her nerves making her feel small under the older woman’s gaze.

Vivian Reed glanced at her but said nothing. Riley bowed her head politely, her heart racing, but Vivian only gave a slight nod before walking away. In a burst of determination, Riley jogged to catch up.

“Mrs. Reed,” Riley called out, her voice shaky. Vivian halted and turned to face her, eyebrow raised as Riley fidgeted, wringing her hands together. “Can I... can I have a moment to talk with you?”

Vivian studied her for a moment, her expression unreadable. “Come on, then,” she said finally, her voice neutral, before turning to walk toward a nearby coffee shop.

Riley nodded and followed behind, her stomach in knots. They reached the small café, and Vivian chose a table in the corner by the window. Riley sat down across from her, barely able to meet her eyes. The shop was quiet, with only a few customers around, but the atmosphere felt heavy.

Vivian rested her chin on her hands, gazing out the window, her fingers tapping lightly against the table. “I thought you wanted to talk,” she said, her voice cool and measured.

“Right,” Riley stammered, her nerves getting the better of her. She rubbed the collar of her shirt, trying to compose herself. “I... I’m in a relationship with your daughter, Ma’am.”

“I know. Sienna already told me,” Vivian replied, her eyes still fixed on the view outside.

“She did?” Riley felt a flicker of confidence but quickly cleared her throat when Vivian finally turned her gaze toward her, a knowing look in her eyes.

Before Riley could respond, the waiter arrived with their drinks, placing them on the table. Riley thanked him quietly, glancing nervously at Vivian, who sighed and finally focused on her.

“You’ve grown up well,” Vivian said, stirring her coffee absentmindedly. “I remember you as a kid.”

“Thank you, Ma’am,” Riley replied, clutching the hem of her leather jacket, still in the clothes she’d worn to the party. She hadn’t had time to change, too worried about Sienna to care about her own appearance.

Vivian set her spoon down and met Riley’s eyes. “You understand that you can’t be with the daughter of an enemy, don’t you?”

Riley swallowed, trying to gather her thoughts, but Vivian cut her off before she could speak. “I don’t want any connection between you and Sienna. I don’t want her involved with someone whose sister is a criminal,” Vivian said, her voice laced with disdain.

Riley’s fists clenched beneath the table. “I beg to disagree with what you’ve just said, Mrs. Reed. Harriet, my sister, is no criminal,” she said firmly, her voice steady. “I understand that the accident twelve years ago involved her, but she didn’t kill Sophie. We treated Sophie like family. We would never have wanted anything to happen to her.”

Vivian’s expression hardened, but Riley pressed on, her voice unwavering. “I understand how much it hurts to lose your daughter, but during that time, we almost lost Harriet too. She was in a coma for a year. I’m not trying to invalidate your feelings, but I have to ask—would you feel differently if Sophie had survived and Harriet hadn’t? Would you blame your own daughter for someone else’s death?”

Vivian stared at Riley, taken aback by her calm, composed response. After a long pause, she scoffed, dismissing her. “What do you know? You’re just a kid.”

Riley’s jaw tightened, but she remained respectful. “I’m not a kid anymore, Mrs. Reed. As Sienna’s mother, you should understand her better than anyone. Parents should accept their children, no matter what, as long as no one is being hurt. Instead, Sienna is being punished for simply loving someone—for simply loving a girl.”

She laughed bitterly, lowering her gaze for a moment. “We don’t want public acceptance, Ma’am. We know we can’t please everyone. But as a parent, I’m asking you to consider this. I love your daughter. I want to be with Sienna.”

Riley bowed her head respectfully, her voice soft but resolute. “Please, Mrs. Reed, don’t stand in the way of that.”

Vivian sat in silence, watching the young woman before her, the weight of Riley’s words hanging in the air.