Chapter 23

Sienna’s Pov :

I woke up this morning with a stupid grin on my face.

Joseph was finally back.

After four long days of him being in Spain for a business trip with his business partners from Clarity and Co., I was more than a little excited to surprise him. We’d talked over the phone on Sunday night, just after I got back from watching Camden’s football game with Caitlin. I still remembered his voice-calm, tired, soft. “I’ll be back Thursday morning, princess,” he had said. “Bright and early.”

And today was Thursday.

I spent an hour trying to decide what to wear, wanting to look professional yet still effortlessly stunning. I settled on the blue pantsuit Joseph always said made my eyes stand out. I let my hair fall in waves down my back. I didn’t know what it was, maybe intuition or just dumb, lovesick excitement, but I wanted to surprise him-show up at his office and make his return extra special.

I even picked up his favorite chocolate croissant from that tiny French bakery he loved.

Walking into Clarity and Co., the blast of cool air smacked me in the face, goosebumps instantly rising on my arms despite the confidence I felt. The lobby was as modern as ever-glass, marble, and crisp white lighting that made everything feel just a little too clean, too sharp.

I made my way to the front desk where the receptionist, Darla, greeted me with her usual bright smile. Her nameplate glimmered under the lights.

“Hey, my name is Sienna Callaway, and I’m Mr. Mendes’s girlfriend,” I said, unable to hide the wide smile on my face. “Is he by any chance here today?”

Darla beamed. “Oh, welcome Ms. Callaway. Do you want me to let Mr. Mendes’s assistant know that you’re here so he could tell him?”

I grinned, shaking my head. “No, it’s okay though, I want to surprise him if that’s okay.”

“Of course, ma’am,” she said. “I hope the surprise goes well.”

“Thank you.” I couldn’t wait to see Joseph.

I stepped into the elevator and hit the button for the ninth floor, my heart racing with excitement. I imagined the look on Joseph’s face when he saw me. I imagined wrapping my arms around him, hearing about his trip, maybe even sneaking in a kiss before he had to get back to work.

The doors opened with a soft chime, and I stepped into the hallway. Everything felt normal-quiet, polished. But Joseph’s assistant Rudy’s desk was empty. I frowned a little. That was strange. Rudy was always at his desk, like clockwork.

Still, I shrugged it off. Maybe he went to grab coffee or had stepped away for a meeting.

Then I turned toward Joseph’s office and immediately noticed something else. His blackout curtains were drawn shut. That never happened. Joseph liked sunlight, he always said it helped him think. He only used those curtains when he had high-level meetings or something confidential to discuss.

A flicker of doubt passed through me, but I brushed it away.

I lifted my hand to knock-

And stopped.

There were sounds. Grunts. Male grunts.

My blood ran cold.

My heart dropped into my stomach. I felt dizzy for a second, my breath caught in my throat. Maybe-maybe it was just him working out? He sometimes did push-ups in his office during breaks. That had to be it.

But deep down, I already knew.

With trembling fingers, I reached for the door handle.

It wasn’t locked.

I opened it slowly, my pulse screaming in my ears.

And that’s when my entire world shattered.

Joseph. On his knees.

Rudy. Pants down.

My breath caught so violently I almost gagged.

Joseph’s eyes widened as he looked up, panic and shame crashing across his face like a thunderstorm.

“Sienna, princess-it’s not what it looks like, I swear, honey.”

My eyes blurred with tears. I staggered back a step, my voice caught in my throat. He stood quickly, fumbling with his clothes like some teenage boy caught doing something he shouldn’t. He took a step toward me.

“Don’t come near me!” I screamed, the words exploding from my throat. “How could you do this to me, Joseph? I loved you so much! How could you fucking do this to me after almost three years of being together? And what do you mean it’s not what it looks like? It looks like you cheating on me-with your male assistant!”

He froze, his face paling with guilt. His eyes searched mine like he was still looking for a way out.

My vision swam, my heart pounding violently against my ribcage.

“How long has this been going on?” I demanded.

Silence.

Then, softly, from the other side of the room-Rudy spoke. eyes wide and wet, voice barely above a whisper.

“Six months. Since November last year.”

I felt my knees wobble.

Six months.
I laughed. It was the kind of laugh you let out when everything breaks at once-mocking, angry, guttural.

“You’ve been cheating on me for six fucking months?” I yelled, my voice cracking. “Since November last year? Was I that blind? Was I stupid to think you weren’t having an affair with another woman? But no, instead of a woman, it’s your assistant? My god. I’m so fucking stupid, aren’t I?”

My palms rubbed against my eyes, trying to wipe the tears away, trying to stop the world from spinning.

Joseph tried to touch me again, and I backed away, shaking my head violently. “Don’t touch me. It’s over. I don’t want to see you. I hope you have a nice life, Joseph.”

I turned, my heels clicking against the hardwood, ready to bolt. My lungs burned. My throat was raw.

“Sienna, you’re overreacting!” he shouted, his voice irritated now. Like I had done something wrong.

I whipped around. “Me? Overreacting? What the hell is wrong with you?! Don’t you see what you just did?! You ruined us-two, almost three years of a relationship. I didn’t cheat. I didn’t lie. I didn’t put my mouth on someone else’s-” I stopped myself, gagging again. “I gave you everything. I loved you. Even when other people looked at me, I ignored them because I knew you were the one. But I guess I was wrong.”

Joseph just stood there, stunned and speechless.

I took one final look at him-this man I thought I’d grow old with-and then I ran.

I don’t remember much of the elevator ride down. Just that my hands wouldn’t stop shaking. The second the doors opened, I ran past everyone. I saw their stares, heard their whispers. I didn’t care. Let them talk.

By the time I burst out onto the sidewalk, my legs gave out.

I collapsed.

Right there.

On the cold, unforgiving concrete.

I couldn’t breathe. My lungs refused to work. The sobs tore through my chest, violent and painful and raw. My body trembled. My face was soaked. Everything hurt.

I fumbled for my phone, my fingers slick with tears and shaking so hard I almost dropped it.

I scrolled through my contacts, desperate to find one name.

Her.

I hit the call button.

It rang.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Then-

“Hi, sunshine. Miss me already?” Caitlin teased, her voice soft and playful.

I broke.

“Cait… Ca-Ca-Can you please pick me up… pl-please,” I sobbed, my voice barely recognizable.

Silence. A sharp intake of breath.

“Sunshine, what’s wrong? Where are you? Baby, hang on, okay? I’m coming. Send me your location.”

I couldn’t even speak. I just sent it. My heart screamed in my chest.

And then I whispered, over and over again, to no one.

“Why would he do this to me?”

I had no answer. Just pain. Just betrayal.

And the faint hope that Caitlin-my Caitlin-was on her way.

Authors Note :

Oh noooo my Shayla…. Joseph when I catch you Joseph….well I guess she has Caitlin now…my babies can finally be together yayyy…. Low-key I don’t like this so I’m sorry in advance y’all and I wanted it to be longer ugh. Anyways see you next chapter.

XoXo V 💜💜💜