Chapter 2 I Already Died for You Once

The door opened before Sienna could lower the phone.

Rosie Carlton swept into the bridal suite in pale pink silk, followed by Carmen and Yahir. Her worried expression was perfect. Only the satisfaction in her eyes betrayed her.

"Sienna, where's Arnold?" Rosie asked. "I saw him drive away. Please don't tell me you two fought again."

On the phone, Ronan heard every word.

"Suite 3001," he reminded Sienna. "I'll be waiting."

The call ended.

Carmen marched toward her. "Who were you talking to?"

"My groom."

Rosie's mouth almost fell open, but Carmen mistook the answer for stubbornness.

"Enough of this nonsense. What did you say to Arnold?" Carmen demanded. "The ballroom is full of our relatives, Walsh family members, and your father's business partners. If the Walsh family walks away from this marriage, do you understand what it will do to us?"

Not what it will do to you.

To us.

Sienna looked at the woman who had given birth to her and felt something inside her settle into silence.

In her first life, she had spent years trying to earn Carmen's love. She had cooked her favorite food, remembered every birthday, and apologized even when Rosie was the one who lied.

None of it had mattered.

Rosie had come to the Carlton family after Carmen's closest friend died, leaving behind a daughter who had already lost both parents. For years, Carmen had repeated the same excuse.

Rosie has already lost so much. Let her have this one thing.

Somehow, "one thing" had become everything Sienna was expected to give up.

"Arnold left because Delia called," Sienna said.

Yahir's expression tightened, but he quickly looked toward the door. "Then we'll delay the ceremony. Call him and apologize."

"For what?"

"Whatever you did to upset him."

Sienna laughed once.

Her father did not ask what Arnold had done. Her mother did not ask whether she was all right. Rosie stood between them like the daughter they had chosen, safe behind their anger.

"The wedding will begin on time," Sienna said. "You should go downstairs."

"Without Arnold?" Carmen snapped.

"I said the wedding will begin on time."

There must have been something in her voice, because Yahir studied her more carefully.

"What are you planning?"

"You'll see."

Carmen reached for her arm, but Yahir stopped her.

"The guests are already watching," he warned quietly. "We can't have a scene up here."

He led his furious wife back into the corridor. Before following them, Rosie turned to Sienna with concern painted across her face.

"I'll stay and help her."

The moment the door closed, the concern vanished.

Rosie walked to the mirror and admired herself beside Sienna's reflection.

"You look beautiful," she said. "That almost makes it worse."

Sienna said nothing.

Rosie leaned closer. "Arnold won't be back today. Delia made sure of that. She might keep him for several days."

"You seem very well informed."

"I'm just trying to prepare you." Rosie smiled. "Everyone downstairs will watch you walk into that ballroom alone. By tonight, all of Boston will know Arnold chose another woman over you."

In her first life, those words had broken Sienna.

She had still gone through with the ceremony for the sake of both families. She had defended Arnold, lied for him, and later accepted his apology. That single humiliation had become the first stone in the grave she dug for herself.

Years later, tied to a chair in a locked warehouse, she had called every member of this family.

Arnold rejected her call.

Carmen told her to stop seeking attention.

Yahir warned her not to ruin Rosie's birthday.

Her three brothers called her selfish and cruel.

And Rosie—the sweet adopted daughter they all protected—had been the one who sold her to the men who tortured her.

Sienna remembered blood soaking through her clothes. She remembered hearing distant laughter from Rosie's birthday celebration through a call that had never truly disconnected.

Most of all, she remembered dying alone.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Rosie asked.

Sienna rose.

The slap cracked across the suite.

Rosie staggered sideways and caught herself against the vanity. A red handprint bloomed across her cheek.

"You hit me?"

"I should have done that years ago."

"Are you insane?"

"Maybe." Sienna adjusted the fall of her veil. "You should be careful around insane women, Rosie. We're unpredictable."

For the first time, Rosie looked afraid of her.

Footsteps sounded in the corridor. Carmen was returning, calling Rosie's name.

Rosie's eyes immediately filled with tears.

"Mom!" she cried, reaching for the door.

Sienna caught her wrist.

"Before you start performing," she said softly, "remember that the suite has cameras."

Rosie froze.

It was a lie. The bridal suite had no cameras, but Rosie did not know that.

Sienna released her and walked past.

Carmen appeared in the doorway. Rosie rushed into her arms, hiding her cheek. Sienna did not wait for the accusation.

She lifted her skirt and headed toward the private elevator.

"Where are you going?" Yahir called after her.

"To get married."

The elevator doors closed on their stunned faces.

One floor above, Sienna stopped outside Suite 3001. Her pulse was steady until she raised her hand.

Then the door opened from inside.

Ranger Walsh stood beside a table covered with legal documents.

Behind him, Ronan Walsh waited in a black suit, looking less like a replacement groom than a man who had been preparing for this moment all along.