POV: Sienna
The press conference aftermath hit like a tsunami.
Within an hour, my phone had 200+ notifications. By evening, we were trending on every social media platform. By the time Dominic's driver dropped me back in Brooklyn, the entire internet had an opinion about Sienna Cross.
Half called me brave. Half called me a whore.
I sat in Dominic's office while James, his CFO, monitored the response in real-time.
The statement is performing well, James said, scrolling through his tablet. Sixty-five percent positive sentiment. The 'misogyny is showing' line is going viral. Several feminist publications are defending you.
And the other thirty-five percent? I asked.
Think you're a gold digger who seduced a billionaire for money. He looked up. Ignore them. They're not your audience.
Who is my audience?
People who matter. Columbia admissions already sent a statement supporting you—something about 'celebrating students who make their own choices.' Three investment firms reached out asking if you're interested in summer internships.
My head spun. Three firms? After all this?
Because of all this. Dominic appeared in the doorway, jacket off, sleeves rolled up. You're famous now, Sienna. Controversial, yes. But famous. And in Manhattan, famous opens doors that perfect never could.
James stood. I'll give you two some privacy. He paused at the door. Sienna? You did well today. Standing up there, refusing to apologize—that took guts.
After he left, Dominic poured two glasses of whiskey and handed me one.
You should go home, he said. Your parents are probably worried.
I texted them. Said I was studying with Maya. The lie tasted bitter. How long do I have to keep lying to them?
Until you're ready to tell them the truth. He sat across from me. Which brings me to our next problem.
What problem?
Tyler filed a restraining order against me. Claims I'm a threat to his safety. Dominic's expression was carved from ice. It won't hold up, pure harassment—but it means war has officially started.
My stomach dropped. What does that mean?
It means my family is coming after both of us with everything they have. Victoria will use her social connections to freeze you out. Marcus will try to damage my business reputation. And Tyler He paused. Tyler is unstable. Dangerous when cornered.
You think he'd hurt me?
I think he's a spoiled child who's never been told no. And spoiled children break their toys when they can't have them. Dominic leaned forward. Which is why you're not going anywhere alone until this settles. I'm assigning you a driver.
I don't need a driver
Yes, you do. Tyler showed up drunk at your apartment building this afternoon.
The blood drained from my face. What?
My security team intercepted him before he got to your door. He was screaming about how you ruined his life. Dominic's voice was dangerously calm. He's escalating, Sienna. And I won't let him hurt you.
Tears burned my eyes. This is insane. All of this because I kissed you?
No. All of this because you chose yourself over him. Men like Tyler can't handle that. He stood, moving to the window. The kiss just made it public.
I joined him, looking out at the Manhattan skyline. Do you regret it? The press conference, defending me, all of it?
No.
But you've lost clients. Your family hates you. Tyler's trying to destroy you
Sienna. He turned to face me. I spent thirty-five years letting my family's opinion control my choices. I'm done. If defending you costs me everything, then everything wasn't worth having.
The intensity in his eyes made my breath catch. Why are you really doing this?
Because someone should have defended me when I was young and powerless. No one did. His hand came up, tucking hair behind my ear. I won't let that happen to you.
It's more than that.
His jaw tightened. Yes. It is.
Then say it.
For a long moment, he just stared at me. Then his phone rang, shattering the moment.
He answered. What? His expression shifted. When? ...I see. ...Don't do anything. I'm on my way.
He hung up, already grabbing his jacket.
What's wrong?
Victoria just called an emergency board meeting. She's trying to have me removed from the Sterling family trust. He headed for the door. I need to go handle this.
I'm coming with you.
Absolutely not. It'll be ugly
I don't care. You defended me publicly. I'm not letting you fight them alone.
Something flickered in his eyes. Pride, maybe. This isn't your battle, Sienna.
Yes, it is. They're doing this because of me. So I'm going.
The Sterling Global Holdings boardroom was everything I'd imagined—old money, expensive art, men in suits who looked at me like I was dirt on their shoes.
Victoria Sterling sat at the head of the table, ice-cold and beautiful even at sixty-seven. When we entered, her eyes raked over me with open contempt.
You brought her? Victoria's voice could have frozen hell. This is a family meeting, Dominic.
Then she belongs here more than half of you. Dominic pulled out a chair for me. Sienna stays.
Marcus, Tyler's father, Dominic's half-brother—stood. This is outrageous. You seduce our son's ex-girlfriend, humiliate the family publicly, and now you bring her to a board meeting?
I didn't seduce anyone. She chose me. Get over it.
She's eighteen! Another board member, some elderly Sterling cousin, slammed his hand on the table. You're a predator!
I'm a legal adult, I said clearly, surprised by my own voice. And Mr. Sterling has been nothing but respectful. If you have a problem with our relationship, that's your issue, not ours.
Victoria's smile was poisonous. How brave. The scholarship girl thinks she has a voice here. She opened a folder. Let me tell you what's going to happen, Miss Cross. You're going to disappear. Take this check, half a million dollars, and sign an NDA stating Dominic manipulated you. We'll spin this as him taking advantage of a naive teenager. He'll be disgraced, and you'll be rich. Win-win.
She slid the check across the table.
Half a million dollars. More money than my parents made in ten years combined.
I looked at Dominic. His expression was carefully blank, but I saw the tension in his jaw. He was waiting to see what I'd choose.
Money and safety. Or him and war.
I picked up the check.
Victoria smiled, triumphant.
I ripped it in half.
I'm not for sale, I said clearly. And Dominic didn't manipulate me. I knew exactly what I was doing when I chose him. If that makes you uncomfortable, that's your problem.
The room erupted.
Marcus was shouting. The board members were arguing. Victoria's face had gone white with rage.
But Dominic was smiling, a real, genuine smile that transformed his entire face.
Gentlemen, he said, standing. And Victoria. Let me make something very clear. You can try to remove me from the trust. You can threaten lawsuits. You can spread lies. But you will leave Sienna alone. Because if you touch her—if you so much as look at her wrong—I'll release every piece of evidence I have on your crimes.
You're bluffing, Marcus sneered.
Dominic pulled out his phone, pressed a button. James's voice came through the speaker: Files are ready. I can send them to the SEC, IRS, and every major news outlet in New York with one click.
Marcus went pale.
Victoria stood, shaking with fury. You would destroy your own family?
You destroyed me first. The day you made sure everyone knew I was the bastard son. The day you gave Marcus everything and me nothing. The day you taught me family only matters when it's convenient. Dominic's voice was ice. You made me the black sheep, Victoria. Don't be surprised when I stop protecting the flock.
He took my hand. We're leaving. Touch Sienna, and I'll burn Sterling Global to the ground.
We walked out together, the boardroom chaos echoing behind us.
In the elevator, my hands shook so badly I could barely stand.
That was insane, I whispered.
That was war. He pulled me close, and I buried my face in his chest, feeling his heartbeat racing as fast as mine.
Did we just win?
No. We just fired the opening shot. It gets worse from here.
The elevator opened. We stepped into the lobby.
Tyler was waiting.
He looked terrible, eyes bloodshot, hands shaking, clearly drunk or high or both. And he was holding something.
A gun.
You ruined everything, he said, voice breaking. So now I'm going to ruin you.
Dominic pushed me behind him immediately. Tyler, put the gun down.
Why should I? You took everything from me! My girlfriend, my family's respect, everything! Tears streamed down Tyler's face. She was mine first!
I was never yours! I shouted before I could stop myself. You treated me like garbage for three years!
Because you were garbage! Brooklyn trash who thought she could play in our world! The gun waved dangerously. But Dominic—perfect Dominic—he saw something in you. Made me look like a fool!
Tyler. Dominic's voice was deadly calm. This isn't about her. This is about you and me. Let Sienna go, and we'll talk. Man to man.
There's nothing to talk about. Tyler raised the gun.
And fired.