Chapter 414: Noah's Small Hands Were Still Puffy

Noah’s small hands were still puffy as he helped wash the vegetables. Lucas wore an apron for the first time, attempting to cook. His knife skills had improved significantly since staying with Sienna. He swiftly sliced ginger into uneven chunks. A look of elegant pride lit up his face. Sienna watched, momentarily captivated. Yet confusion lingered in her mind. Why was Lucas so determined to cook dinner himself? They could have simply ordered in. But that didn’t matter now. She approached the father and son.

“Don’t mind me,” she said softly. “I need to go out for about an hour. I’ll be back to celebrate.”

“I want to come with you, Mommy!” Noah immediately perked up.

Sienna walked over and gently pinched his cheek.

“Look at you,” she smiled. “You can’t leave a job half-done. Finish washing these vegetables. I’m just running a quick errand. I’ll be back soon.”

“Oh, alright…” His voice was soft and sweet. “Come home soon, okay Mommy? We’ll be waiting for you…”

Waiting for you to come home. The phrase warmed her heart. She would hurry back. As she turned to leave, Lucas’s low, gentle voice stopped her.

“Drive safely.”

His tone was like a husband’s reminder to his wife. Sienna paused. Their affection made her want to stay. But this was important.

“Don’t worry,” she replied. “I’ll be back soon.”

She rode her motorcycle away from Willowcrest Estate. The bike weaved through heavy traffic with ease. Within twenty minutes, she arrived at Crown Monarch Hotel. Her memory guided her to the private room. She stood outside Room 707. Emotion tightened her chest.

Five years ago, she was raped in this very room.

It was Valentine’s Day. Derek had promised her a surprise. She arrived excitedly, only to find Vanessa inside. Vanessa handed her a glass of juice. Everything went black after that. For years, she believed it happened at Grand Meridian Hotel. Only recently did Vincent Moreau reveal the truth. It happened here. She took a deep breath and pushed the door open. The strong scent of alcohol hit her immediately. Before she could react, a figure moved swiftly. The door locked behind her. The lights dimmed to a romantic pink.

Rose petals covered the floor and sofa. Sienna frowned. The man blocking the door was Derek. His suit jacket was gone, leaving only a wrinkled white shirt. His collar was torn messily. His handsome face was flushed red. He was drunk. Very drunk. She realized he had trapped them both inside.

“Open the door right now!” Her voice was ice-cold. “Let me out!”

Derek leaned against the door, his gaze sincere.

“Sienna, don’t go. Hear me out…” His words slurred slightly. “I was wrong all these years. I shouldn’t have manipulated you from the start. I shouldn’t have let Vanessa hurt you. You can hit me. Yell at me. Do whatever you want.”

He stepped forward and grabbed her hand.