Chapter 5
At lunchtime, when I still hadn’t returned, Eliza’s expression darkened.
In this household, etiquette was a big deal. Mealtimes were fixed, and everyone was expected to be at the table on time.
It was a family tradition.
“Sienna’s still not back? She only went to get something for Laura. What’s taking her so long?” Eliza was clearly irritated and couldn’t help but complain.
Jake chimed in, fanning the flames.
“I bet she’s doing it on purpose. She can’t stand how well we treat Laura, so she’s making us wait on her. She’s just that petty.”
“Enough. Sienna is your sister. Stop picking on her,” Dad said, putting down his newspaper and giving Jake a cold glare. Then he turned to Eliza.
“Drew said he went to look for her. They’re probably together now.”
Eliza still looked upset.
“Forget it. We’ll eat without them.”
Meanwhile, Drew had made a special trip to the auction house. He spent the entire day bidding on a pricey moonstone necklace just to surprise me.
When he tried to call, he discovered my phone had been turned off.
He rushed to the villa, and when he heard everyone thought he was with me, he became
anxious.
That was when my family finally realized I was truly gone.
A month passed, and they still couldn’t find me.
I didn’t respond to any of the mind link messages.
The marking ceremony was just around the corner, but the bride was nowhere to be found. Drew’s family wanted to cancel the ceremony, but he refused.
He looked exhausted and worn down by the search. Eyes bloodshot, he blocked his parents and said firmly, “I will find her.”
My disappearance became a huge embarrassment for Eliza. She was depressed and couldn’t bring herself to do anything.
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Chapter 5
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To cheer her up, Laura moved back into the villa with Anne.
With Laura’s careful attention and Anne’s company, Eliza finally seemed better. But when it came to me, all she felt was bitterness.
“From now on, I’m done with her. She’s no daughter of mine. She’d better not come crawling back.
“She’s got such a temper? Fine. We’ll cancel the marking. I’ll call it off tomorrow.”
Laura, ever the dutiful one, soothed Eliza’s anger while defending me.
“Please don’t be upset. Sienna will definitely come back before the marking ceremony. Maybe that day we were all focused on Anne, and she felt neglected. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have brought Anne back. Maybe then Sienna wouldn’t have left.”
“Haven’t we done enough to make it up to her? What more does she want?”
The mere mention of me left Eliza fuming again.
The cook quickly brought over a cup of warm water and handed it to her.
“Please calm down, madam. Don’t let your anger harm your health. Laura would be heartbroken. No one in this house cares more about you than she does.”
Eliza gently patted Laura’s hand with a look full of affection.
“Good girl. I always knew you were special.”
Laura exchanged a glance with the cook, and a faint smile appeared on her face.
Three days before the marking ceremony, there was still no sign of me.
My parents spent hours in discussion, wavering on whether to call off the ceremony.
Drew’s parents had never liked me. If it weren’t for Drew’s insistence, they would’ve never allowed him to hold a marking ceremony with me in the first place.
Now that I had pulled such a stunt, they saw me as selfish, immature, and completely unworthy of being Drew’s mate.
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