The Wrong Woman

The wait was excruciatingly long. Sienna hid in the bathroom, frozen with fear.

Though overwhelmed by concerns, she was too terrified to step outside. She couldn't bear the thought of complicating things for Daniel. Waiting, as torturous as it was, seemed her only option.

Tears flowed down her cheeks, unstoppable like water breaching a dam. Her heart pounded in her throat painfully. She sent up one silent prayer after another.

Time had never seemed so endless as it did now. Sienna crouched on the floor, hugging her legs and burying her face in her knees as she wept silently. The ordeal seemed to stretch on for an eternity. At last, the door creaked open, and Daniel's voice floated to her. "Darling, why are you on the floor?"

Lifting her tear-streaked face, Sienna saw Daniel kneeling beside her, reaching out to help her up. Without hesitation, she lunged forward and threw her arms around his neck, sobbing loudly now that she was no longer alone.

Her pregnancy hormones were in full swing, amplifying her emotions and making her tears flow even more freely.

Daniel felt a sharp ache in his heart. He held Sienna close and gently stroked her back, trying to soothe her. "What's wrong? Did something frighten you? Why are you crying so much?"

Between sobs, Sienna whimpered, "W-Why did you take so long to come back?"

Catching the worry and sadness in her voice, Daniel reassured her gently. "I'm sorry, Darling. I came back later than expected, but there's no need to worry. I'm totally fine."

subside as she relaxed

a moment, Daniel scooped

saying, "You don't have to carry me. I can walk. Just put me

Daniel said, moving toward outside with Sienna

out

"Yeah."

It would be embarrassing if they saw us

my own wife.

Sienna buried her flushed

of plainclothes police officers escorting handcuffed criminals from the ship's cabins. The crew

ship was

gently set Sienna down on a long bench on the

with a

Officer Campbell,"

you alright?" Ryan