Adrian Desmond’s gaze lingered licentiously on Sienna Johnson’s exquisite figure, pausing at her D-cup bust. He said, "I slept with you that day without your consent. Should I apologize, or should I confess?" Sienna Johnson glared fiercely at the man. If not for the conversation they needed to have, she really would have thrown the lunchbox in her hand at him. "Then I’ll apologize first, and confess later," he decided. Sienna knew he hadn’t eaten for three days, so she placed the thermal lunchbox she had brought on the table. "I brought you something to eat," she said, cutting off his reckless words. "Did you make it yourself?" Sienna frowned. Why do men always ask this question? "No! The servants at home made it. But rest assured, our cook is very good. You’ll like the food." "I prefer your cooking. Your cooking is the most delicious I’ve ever tasted... When will you cook for me personally? I haven’t had it for several years now..." he lamented, reminiscing. "Did I cook for you before?" she asked, surprised. She laughed. Adrian asked, "What are you laughing about?" "I’m laughing because I’m guessing you forced me to cook for you, didn’t you?" "No, you were willing. You were in love with me. Have you really forgotten everything?" "I don’t remember," Sienna said. "I was in a car accident and suffered a head injury. The doctor said I have selective amnesia." "Do you know what selective amnesia is?" Sienna asked. "Simply put, ’selective amnesia’ is when a person, often due to external stimulus or head trauma, forgets certain things they don’t want to remember—or people or things they want to avoid. "Mr. Desmond, although I have forgotten you, please do not deceive me with those fabricated sweet memories. If we had truly been in love and very happy, why would I selectively choose not to remember you? During those two years, I don’t know what happened, but it certainly wasn’t pleasant. It was painful for me, so I chose to forget." Adrian hated her explanation. They had been in love once. He had made mistakes, and so had she. "Indeed, the one who forgets is the happiest!" he scoffed. "It’s been so many years. You could also choose to forget," Sienna suggested. "I can’t forget! You’ve taken root in my mind and sprouted. If I were to forget you, I’d have to rip out my own heart." "Then rip out your heart! Someone like you can live just fine, with or without a heart!" "I love you, so between the two of us, I am destined to be the loser. I accept my defeat. Tell me, how can I earn your forgiveness so you’ll return with me to Abyanabad?" "Your request will never be fulfilled in this lifetime." "I haven’t touched Melanie Carpenter. As long as you return with me, I’ll immediately end this nominal marriage with her!" Adrian kept backing down, but Sienna didn’t appreciate it at all. What Adrian didn’t know was that if he had said this four years ago, Sienna might genuinely have stayed for him. But the Sienna of four years later would not. "It’s impossible between us!" "Then who is possible for you? Your dream lover, Noah Phillips, or your current boyfriend, Kenneth Brown..." Adrian practically spat out their names, his teeth grinding. "Kenneth and I are discussing our engagement next Monday. We’ll be engaged soon. I came to see you because I want you to go back to Abyanabad and stop disturbing my life." Adrian became angry, his words tumbling out in a rush, full of fury. "With that mediocre man? Sienna Johnson, what do you see in him? I didn’t realize that after leaving me, your taste would plummet so drastically..." Sienna retorted, "At least he wouldn’t force me to have sex!" Adrian fell silent. "That’s my way of expressing love to you!" "For me, it’s humiliation! You make me feel filthy!" She had forgotten. She had forgotten what it was like to have loved Adrian. In his heart, it was love; in hers, the feeling was entirely different. "I will never force you again." Although Sienna hadn’t had much contact with Adrian, she had an intuitive grasp of his character: domineering, selfish, arrogant. This kind of man wouldn’t respect women, precisely the type she detested most. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novel fire.net "You don’t believe me?" "I’ll ask you one last time: will you go back to Abyanabad or not?" Sienna steered the conversation back on track. "Of course, I’m going back! But I’m taking you and Curly with me!" The negotiation had clearly failed. Sienna wasted no more words on him. She placed the food she’d brought on the table and said, "I brought you food. Eat." Adrian rose, his tall figure leaning towards her. Sienna instinctively recoiled. Adrian laughed. "Afraid of me?" "Yes. Why wouldn’t I be afraid of a man who bullies women?" "Does it still hurt?" Sienna didn’t answer. Adrian, thinking she hadn’t understood, asked again, "I mean, down there. Does it still hurt? Did you apply ointment? You always had to use ointment before. There’s a very effective one; I’ll have someone send it to you..." Sienna’s face flushed red. She gritted her teeth. "I’m fine." Sienna pushed the food towards him. "Eat. I’m leaving." Adrian grabbed her hand, preventing her from leaving. "Stay and eat with me before you go." Sienna sat down, her face cold. Adrian didn’t care about her coldness. He looked at the food on the table—all vegetarian dishes. He wasn’t very pleased. "I like meat. Bring me meat next time!" Next time? There won’t be a next time. "The pork rib soup is meat." Adrian took a sip. His parched throat felt as if a warm current had flowed into it. He ate very slowly, his gaze never leaving her. "I want to see Curly!" Adrian spoke suddenly, startling Sienna. "Why do you want to see her?" "Is it strange for a father to want to see his daughter?" "In what capacity will you see her?" "As her biological father, of course." "I told her her biological father was dead..." He was a living, breathing man standing right here, and she was cursing him dead? "How can you say such things? Have you considered how a child would feel hearing her biological father is dead?" "Instead of having her ask from time to time where her father went, saying he died is the most direct excuse. I told Curly her biological father went to hell, and she never asked again." Adrian glared at her. "You’re not just cursing me to die, you’re cursing me to hell." "Heaven isn’t prepared for people like you!" "Sienna Johnson, you’ve got guts!"