Chapter 20

Sienna’s POV

The kitchen smelled like bacon and coffee. Sunlight poured in as I flipped pancakes, my hips swaying to Madonna’s “Material Girl.” The music thumped through me, my bare feet tapping on the floor. My loose tank top kept slipping off my shoulder, and my shorts rode up my thighs. I felt alive.

I still remembered Daniel’s touch, his lips, his body making me forget everything. But the newspapers calling me a gold digger, those creepy notes, and Zoe’s anger, they kept trying to ruin my happiness. Could I keep this strong feeling with Daniel, or would my kids’ pain and the world’s hate kill it?

The twins stomped downstairs. Zoe’s sneakers were loud, Leo’s socks shuffled. I turned, smiling, but Zoe’s eyes narrowed, and her lips curled. “Material Girl, huh?” she sneered, dropping her backpack on the counter. “Fits you, Mom. Chasing that rich guy’s money, right?” Her voice was sharp and teasing, like she wanted to hurt me.

My pancake spatula froze i