Siyana stepped out of the car without a word, her face composed but her eyes betraying an underlying turmoil.
She barely acknowledged the staff or Butler Uncle Mu, who stood at the door with concern etched across his face. Uncle Mu had known Siyana since she was a child, and he'd seen this look only a handful of times.
Without meeting his eyes, she walked past him and went straight to her room, closing the door softly behind her. She took a deep breath, letting the silence of the room press in around her, then went directly to the bathroom.
The bath was prepared as always, warm water with rose petals, just as she liked. Normally, it would have been a comfort, but today it felt like an empty ritual. She slipped into the water, each wave carrying fragments of disbelief, anger, and sorrow.
After a few minutes, a quiet knock sounded on her bedroom door.
"Miss Siyana?" Uncle Mu's voice was gentle but worried. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Uncle Mu," she replied softly, though even she knew it sounded unconvincing. "I just need a bit of time."
Uncle Mu lingered, his silence heavy with worry. "Very well. But please… let me know if you need anything."
Downstairs, Uncle Mu paced, glancing up the stairs every few minutes, an hour and above has passed by but there has been no moment from Siyana's room. When the doorbell rang, he hurried to answer it, relieved to find Master Sid on the doorstep, looking tense.
"Uncle Mu," Sid said, stepping inside without waiting for a formal greeting. "Where is she?"
Uncle Mu nodded toward the stairs. "She's in her room. She hasn't responded to anyone since she came home." He hesitantly added "Miss Siayan, is not looking herself"
Sid nodded. "I tried calling, but when she didn't answer, I called her assistant and later her driver who said Siyana came home early, looking… well, not herself."
Uncle Mu nodded with quiet relief. "I'm glad you're here"
Sid climbed the stairs and stopped outside her door, knocking lightly. "Siyana? It's me, Sid. Can I come in?"
Silence.
"Siyana. Just say something."
When there was no response, he turned to Uncle Mu, who had followed him up. "Uncle Mu, could you bring the spare key?"
Uncle Mu nodded, disappearing down the hall and returning within moments. Sid unlocked the door and stepped inside, looking around the room before heading to the bathroom. His stomach twisted as he saw her lying in the tub, her face pale and distant.
"Siyana," he said softly, kneeling beside her. "What happened?"
She blinked, barely registering his presence. "Sid… I didn't know you were coming."
"I was worried," he replied, reaching out to help her out of the water. "Come on. Let's get you somewhere warm."
Siyana allowed him to lift her, though she kept her gaze averted. "I… I saw him, Sid. He was with her, with Kendall. And he didn't even look sorry." Her voice was tight, and she shook her head bitterly. "All these years… I thought I knew him."
Sid clenched his jaw, keeping his tone calm. "We will talk about it this but first you need some rest."
He gently laid her on the bed, tucking her in as Uncle Mu watched quietly from the doorway, his worry clear.
"Uncle Mu, could you call the doctor?" Sid asked, his tone urgent.
"Of course, Master Sid," Uncle Mu replied, his voice filled with both gratitude and concern. He left to make the call, and within a short time, their family doctor whom they've trusted over the years arrived.
After examining Siyana, he assured Sid that her condition was due to exhaustion and stress. "She'll be fine with rest," the doctor said, giving Sid a reassuring nod.
Once the doctor left, Uncle Mu arranged for a maid to bring fresh clothes and linens, and Sid sat beside her, gently brushing a strand of hair from her forehead.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed on the nightstand, flashing David's name. Sid's face darkened as he picked up the phone, answering without hesitation.
"David," Sid said, his voice icy. "What do you want?"
There was a pause, then David's voice came through, defensive and irritated. "Sid? Why are you answering Siyana's phone? Put her on. I need to talk to her."
Sid's voice was calm but cutting. "She doesn't need to hear from you. You've done enough damage."
"Oh, so you're the one in charge now?" David's tone turned mocking. "You think you know what's going on? You have no idea, Sid. You don't get it. This is between Siyana and me."
Sid exhaled sharply, his patience wearing thin. "I know she trusted you, and you betrayed her. I don't think I need to know more."
David's tone grew petulant. "Betrayed her? Please. You have no idea what it's like, Sid. She's so distant, always more focused on her career, always needing to be somewhere else. What was I supposed to do? Sit around and wait while she made me feel like I didn't matter?"
"You know what you were supposed to do, David? Communicate. Work things out. Not turn around and cheat the moment you felt insecure." Sid's voice was steely. "She deserved better than this. Better than you."
David laughed bitterly. "Oh, and you think you're the 'better' option? You've been waiting for this, haven't you, Sid? Waiting for me to screw up so you could swoop in and play the hero."
Sid's silence was cold. "I might care about her, David, but I would never put her through this. Whatever happens next is up to her, but I'll tell you this, you don't deserve her."
David let out a humorless laugh. "Save your self-righteous speech. Just tell her I called."
Sid's voice was final. "No. Don't call her again, David."
He ended the call, his jaw tight with frustration. When he looked over, he saw Siyana watching him, her eyes clearer now, but filled with a deep sadness.
"That was him, wasn't it?" she asked, her voice soft but steady.
Sid nodded. "Yeah. He wanted to talk to you, but… you don't need to hear his excuses."
Siyana managed a small, humorless smile. "I don't think there's anything he could say that would make it better. I know him, Sid. He always has an excuse, a reason why it's everyone else's fault but his."
Sid reached out, squeezing her hand gently. "You don't have to deal with him, Siyana. Not now, not ever, if that's what you choose."
She looked down, her voice thick with emotion but laced with quiet strength. "I thought I'd be devastated, but… it's strange. Mostly, I feel disappointed. Not just in him, but in myself. For not seeing this sooner. For believing in him."
Uncle Mu entered the room quietly, his face etched with concern. "Miss Siyana, is there anything I can do?"
Siyana shook her head, offering a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Uncle Mu. You've always been there for me."
Uncle Mu stepped forward, resting a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You deserve all the happiness, Miss Siyana".
She nodded, though tears brimmed in her eyes. She took a steadying breath, then looked up at Sid. "Thank you, for today Sid."
Sid's expression softened, his voice low and steady. "You've been through enough. Just know that I'm here. For whatever you need, whenever you're ready."
Siyana managed a small, brave smile. "I'll be okay. I just… need time."
Sid and Uncle Mu both nodded, each quietly vowing to protect her, each in their own way. Siyana as she looked at the two people who cared for her most, she knew she wasn't alone. And in that moment, a small part of her heart began to heal.