The blinding white sun smacked me right in the face as we strode out of the hospital lobby and onto the sidewalk.

Bernard breathed in deeply. "Finally, some quiet," he muttered, looking into the horizon.

I smiled. "Was it always like that between them?" I ventured, curious.

"Sadly, yes," a look of disappointment washed over his face. "Ever since their mother passed away, it was hard getting them to find common ground. All they did was fight and quarrel over trivial things."

I figured they had something brewing between them. A vendetta maybe. Looking over at him, I asked, "Is it okay to ask how she died?"

He wheeled his chair around so he was facing me. "Why yes, you'll soon be his wife; you need to know these things. There was a burglary attack in the Holiday Lakehouse, and she was shot dead while trying to fend off the intruder."

My stomach dropped. "Oh... I am so sorry for your loss."

"It's okay; it couldn't be helped. By the time the ambulance got there, she was gone." He exhaled. "I think her death undid any progress they were trying to make as siblings."

"But why does Lilian dislike him so much because of it?"

He paused for a moment, as if contemplating my question and if it was worth answering. Then he spoke. "Lilian believes he had a hand in their mother's death."

I frowned. That's absurd. "Why would she think that of her own brother?"

"They were the only ones in the lake house that night, and she believes he let her die on purpose before calling for help. I think it's her way of grieving. She was so young back then; she couldn't digest it."

But still, that isn't an excuse for her bitchy behavior.

Bernard exhaled again. "All I want is for Tristan to be happy, Sienna. He's been through a lot already, and he might not be the best man, but I believe he can get there. He just needs his own person, one bound to only him, which is why I am more than happy that he has found you; someone to be by his side and take care of him in spite of his excesses."

The way he stared at me with so much expectation made a needle of guilt pierce my heart. I opened my mouth and closed it. How am I supposed to explain to this man that I am a fake, and I am only here for the money? I smiled weakly. "Yes, he has."

He smiled at me and placed his hand over mine. "Enough about my family drama, tell me about yours?"

My throat tightened with emotion. I tried to speak but only managed a nod. "Okay."

When I returned to the room, I half expected to find both siblings still bickering, but it was quiet and empty, save for Tristan who stood by the window, looking down at it, so lost in thoughts that he didn't hear me come in.

As I stood, I couldn't help but picture him as the little boy in that photo. So carefree and happy, the exact opposite of the stoic, grouchy man he'd grown up to be.

I moved forward, making my presence known. He turned swiftly, and his eyes found mine, turning a shade darker. "Where is he?"

"He is talking to a nurse in the lobby."

His lips formed a straight line. He walked forward, striding past me, no doubt to get him, but I grabbed his arm, stopping him. "Relax, he's in safe hands."

His body stiffened. His dark eyes lowered to my hand and at that moment, it felt like the room temperature had dropped several degrees. I pulled away instantly, remembering what happened the last time we got this close. I cleared my throat. "Sorry."

Silence settled between us like a dark cloud. He stepped closer, coming a little too close, so close that his delicious scent teased my nose. My body tensed. Was he going to kiss me again? Would I stop him? My heart took off like a mouse chased by a clowder of cats. I didn't know what he was up to. He reached forward and pulled something out of my hair.

A leaf.

It must have flown into my hair from seeking shade under the cheery tree.

Heat rose in my cheeks and I found myself blushing like a village idiot at his unprecedented display of gentlemanliness. I cleared my throat. "Thank you."

He didn't step back. He was right in front of me, his tall frame bowing over me, his unblinking gaze lingering on my lips, causing them to tinkle. "I have a meeting with my designer." His voice dropped an octave, sending chills straight from my heart to my twelve-month-old dormant libido. "We have to leave soon."

Swallowing was difficult, my throat was dry. I nodded, taking a safe step back. "I'll just use the bathroom quickly," I said haltingly and turned and I could feel his gaze linger on me as I made a beeline to the door

In the bathroom, I grabbed the counter to steady myself as I breathed in deep.

Why did he have so much effect on me?

I took in my reflection. This isn't you, Sienna. Don't get swooned. Don't get 'Jacksoned' again.

I needed to focus on the real reason I was here. Nothing else mattered.

A stall door opened behind me and through the wide mirror, I saw Lily stepping out, her icy gaze instantly finding mine.

My mood immediately soured. I straightened my spine and did my best to ignore her as I turned on the faucet and rinsed my hands. When I finished, I dried it with a paper towel, tossed it in the trash, and proceeded to leave, but she grabbed my arm.

"And where do you think you're going?"

"Respectfully, it's none of your business." I snapped, yanking my hand away.

"He's no good for you, Sia."

I flipped her a bird. "It's Sienna."

"Tomato tomahto." She waved. "Fair advice; run while you can and stay as far away from Tristan as possible. It never ends well with him. Everyone thinks I'm crazy, but eventually, you'll see. He'll hurt you. Just like he does to everything around him."

The weight of her words hung in the air around us. Fist tightening, I bit. "I've never seen someone so cruel and desperate for the downfall of another. Why do you dislike your brother so much that you would try to sabotage his marriage?"

"Marriage, you say?" She expelled a dry laugh. "Poor thing, do you honestly think my brother gives a fuck about you? He's probably doing this because he needs something out of it; I just don't know what."

Her words weren't far off from the truth, but I wouldn't let her know that. My chin lifted. "Your brother is in love with me and that's why we're getting married; deal with it."

She laughed again. "Don't kid yourself, darling; Tristan wouldn't know what love is even if he was smacked on the face with a platter of it."

"You don't know him." I retorted, the need to defend a man I barely knew overwhelming me. He might be the biggest asshole to ever walk planet Earth, but he wasn't a terrible man. He wasn't as horrible as she painted him to be.

She took a few steps closer, stopping in front of me. "I lived with that freak for years. I watched him, studied him. I know exactly who he is , more than anyone else." She smiled. "Whatever you think you have with him, enjoy it while you can because everything he touches falls, and you're not going to be any different."

The bathroom door opened in that moment, and someone stepped in, her presence instantly dissolving the tension brewing between us.

Lily stepped back and smiled. "See you around, Sienna," she said tauntingly and turned to leave.