The Wrong Woman

Holding her phone and bag, Sienna rose from her seat. Her voice grew softer. "Okay, I'm heading out."

She lowered her head and walked past Daniel as she left.

Daniel watched Sienna leave the ward, feeling increasingly downcast. He thought she didn't want anything to do with him anymore.

The last time he tried to assert his authority over her, it had frightened her. That had been a big mistake. Since then, he had been overwhelmed by feelings of regret and guilt. After a while, Felix approached Daniel while carrying his luggage. "Dan, let's go."

Daniel shook himself from his reverie and took Felix's bags. "I'll take those."

Felix was delighted, his eyes shining with admiration. "Thanks."

As Daniel started the car and drove out of the hospital, he spotted Sienna in his rearview mirror, riding her electric scooter. He slowed down, his attention momentarily fixated on her. Felix picked up on his distraction. "You don't have to wait for Sienna. She takes this route daily and knows it like the back of her hand.

"She'll probably take a shortcut at the next intersection and get there faster than us."

Daniel refocused and nodded in response. "Okay."

"Sienna might seem fierce sometimes, but she's mostly sweet and caring. "She's been handling most household chores since we were kids and always looking out for us. She's

responded with a

ill while I was in college, she handled everything-medical bills, debts-all on

great

a hint of sadness. "Sienna believes I

must've been blind. I always thought it was

your mom disapprove

"Yeah, she was pretty against it. She even talked about suicide once. I'm not

fell silent as he concentrated on

as the car pulled up to his apartment building. Glancing at the screen, Felix turned to Daniel and said, "Dan,

Daniel looked surprised. "Sienna?"

to Daniel. "Actually, it's my mom inviting you

about the message, Daniel took the phone and

a lot. Today, you're discharged from the hospital, so invite him over for