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."

mostly sweet and caring. "She's been handling most household chores since we were

Daniel responded with

been the backbone of our family. When Dad fell ill while I was in college, she handled everything-medical bills, debts-all on her

great

hint of sadness. "Sienna believes I don't meet her standards. She didn't

his fists and said in frustration, "She must've been blind. I always thought it was

mom disapprove of

it. She even talked about

as he

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

Daniel looked surprised. "Sienna?"

and then handed his phone to Daniel. "Actually, it's my mom inviting you

about the message, Daniel took the phone and

hospital, so invite him over for a meal to thank