Chapter 3 Sienna had already dried her own hair and was leaning back against the headboard . Her expression was dis stared out the window , but when Vivian emerged from the bathroom , her gaze witness the way . " Come here , Vivian , she patted the spot beside her . " Let me dry your hair ? Vivian wanted to refuse . Sienna had just come back , and she didn't want to trouble her . Por Sienna's gone , watting voice drew her in before she could say no . Before she knew it , she was sitting on the floor , leaning back with her head resting in Sienna's lap as the warm air from the hairdryer surrounded her . It felt … so safe , Vivian thought . Her eyes fluttered closed in contentment , but then snapped open again . She was terrified this was all a dream , a beautiful , fragile fantasy she would wake from at any moment . She drank in the sight of Sienna's face , her heart aching with a desperate question . " Sienna , " she asked , her voice barely a whisper . " Are you going to leave again ? " Sienna's hands paused for a moment . " No ," she said softly but firmly . I'm not going anywhere ? She had made up her mind . From now on , wherever she went , she would bring her sisters along Hearing this , a pure , overwhelming joy blossomed in Vivian's chest . Tears slipped down her cheeks , and Sienna reached down to wipe them away , She knew Vivian must have suffered unimaginable pain in the years she was gone . She wouldn't press her for details . Not yet . The rest of her life would be free of suffering , Sienna vowed silently . Because she was here now . " Alright , go get the hand cream from my suitcase ," she gently patted on Vivian's shoulder . " Okay ! " Vivian bounced up , grabbing a pink tube from the suitcase . She watched curiously as Sienna uncapped it . " Here , " Sienna said . " Give me your hands ." Vivian held them out , and the cool touch of the white lotion against her skin felt like a spark to her heart . " You have to take care of yourself ," Sienna said gently as she rubbed the hand cream into Vivian's hands . " That includes your hands , of course . " Tears welled in Vivian's eyes as she bit her lip , trying to hold them back . She couldn't let herself cry again . She didn't want to push Sienna away . She just gave a faint nod , her throat closing up . The cream smelled lovely , a gentle blend of fruit , flowers , and a trace of tea that lingered without being too sweet . " This smells amazing , " Vivian exclaimed , her eyes lighting up . Sienna smiled . " Just something I whipped up myself . If you like it , it's yours . Use it every morning and night . " Vivian's face flushed . She shook her head quickly . " No , I couldn't . It's yours . " Before she could finish , Sienna pinched her cheek again . " What's mine is yours . Now , put it away and get some sleep . " 1/4 7:36 pm DD Chapter 3 Vivian nodded , slipping under the covers and immediately plastering herself to Sienna's side , clinging to her arm . Just like when they were children , Sienna held her , patting her back gently until her breathing evened out . It was the most peaceful night's sleep Vivian had had in ten years , wrapped in her sister's arms , just like old times . Sienna was really home . She couldn't be more happy . " Sienna … " Vivian murmured in her sleep . Sienna , her own eyes wide open in the darkness , gazed down at her. The carefully constructed dam around her own emotions finally broke , and a single , hot tear traced a path down her cheek . Later that night , once she was sure Vivian was sound asleep , Sienna carefully slipped out of bed , and stepped over to the window to dial a number . " It's me , " she said to the phone , her voice cool and clipped . " Lana , I need you to check on something . Pack a bag . You're coming to Solara . I'll be here for a while . Hand the company to the board . " The next day , Vivian woke in a haze , a pleasant dream fading from her mind . Then reality crashed in , and she shot upright . The other side of the bed was empty . Was it all a dream ? Had Sienna never really come back ? She thought , disappointingly . But then she caught the lingering floral scent on her hands , and her heart leaped with frantic hope . She scrambled out of bed , her bare feet hitting the cold floor . The clatter of cookware grew louder as she neared the kitchen . She rounded the corner just in time to see Sienna , wearing an apron , carrying two steaming plates out of the kitchen . " Already up ? " Sienna asked , raising an eyebrow . " It's only six . You should be sleeping in . " Seeing her there - real , solid , and right in front of her - calmed the wild pounding in Vivian's chest . She didn't say a word , just stared at Sienna for a long moment . " How many times have I told you ? Don't run around without shoes , you'll catch a cold , " Sienna noticed her bare feet and immediately went into big - sister mode . " You're not a child anymore . Go put on some socks and slippers , now . " The familiar nagging was the warmest sound Vivian had ever heard . She sniffled , nodding vigorously . " Okay . I'll go get them right now . " " Slippers and socks , then wash up , " Sienna added . " Breakfast is almost ready . " " Okay ! " Vivian replied . While abroad , Sienna's adoptive parents had hired a renowned chef from Solara to cater to her tastes . She had learned a few breakfast recipes herself , dishes that were both delicious and nourishing . Watching Vivian dig into the food the moment they sat down , Sienna figured it must have turned out all right . " Slow down , " she said with a smile . " No one's going to steal it from you ." Vivian took a huge bite of the eggs . " But this is just so good ! " " Here , " Sienna passed her a napkin . " So , Vivian , are you working now ? " 2/4 7:36 pm SDD Chapter 3 The light in Vivian's eyes dimmed instantly . Her gaze shifted , a flicker of shame crossing her face , but she answered truthfully . " Yes . I work at a company called Dynastis . " " Dynastis ? Fine . " Sienna just ruffled her hair . " I'll give you a ride there later ." As the second daughter of the Hart family , Vivna could have lived a life of leisure , coasting on the inheritance their mother had left them , but Sienna didn't ask why she was working . There were so many questions , yet Sienna just held them back . She had already sent people to find the answers . By the end of the day , she'd know everything . Her sisters might not say a word , but that didn't mean she , as their older sister , would stay in the dark . And if she found out anyone had laid a hand on them , she would make them pray for a quick death . " No , Sienna , you don't have to ! " Vivian protested . " You should rest . I can take the bus , it's really fast ." Sienna gave a wry smile . " Are you embarrassed to be seen with me ? " Vivian's eyes went wide . She shook her head frantically . " No ! Not at all ! I would never think that ! I just … I don't want to trouble you . " She looked down , ashamed . The truth is , she was afraid she would embarrass Sienna . At Dynastis , she was just … a nobody . " I'm your sister . It's never a trouble , " Sienna replied . As she spoke , her phone rang . She picked it up and stepped aside while Vivian continued her breakfast . " It's me , " she said firmly into the phone . After a brief pause , she finally added , " Good . Understood . " When they went downstairs , the portly landlord was waiting , his face split in a sycophantic grin . He greeted them with an enthusiasm that was a world away from his venomous tirade the day before . His eyes , however , lingered disgustingly where they shouldn't . Sienna shot him a look so sharp and cold it could have cut glass . The man's smile froze , and a flicker of fear entered his eyes . He quickly looked away . I'll deal with you later , Sienna thought , her eyes turning to ice . She led Vivian outside the building . Parked beside the shabby apartment building was a crimson Rolls - Royce . Vivian couldn't help but stare . She didn't know much about cars , but she knew this one was custom , and its price tag would have more commas than she could count . It was so out of place it was almost comical . " Come on , " Sienna said , walking towards it . " Get in . " " Huh ? " Vivian blinked in surprise . Get in ? She processed her words . The only other vehicle nearby was a shared bike . Was Sienna planning to pedal her to work ? Confused but obedient , she started walking toward the bike . Sienna sighed , grabbed her hand , and pulled her toward the luxury car . " This way. Get in , " said Sienna . " Or you'll be late . " 3/4