Page 17

6 Gifts From My Husband

Sienna’s eyes widened, shocked. Then immediately, she laughed, brushing her hair over one shoulder as if it was nothing. “What are you talking about?”

“I saw the way he looked at you,” Theo muttered, sipping from a glass of champagne. He ran a hand through his dark hair, pushing it back as he locked eyes with her. “Sienna, tell me the truth.”

Sienna inhaled, smile faltering. “I’m not,” she said quietly. “I already left him behind two years ago. You’re overthinking it.”

Theo took a slow sip, his forehead lined with tension. He took another sip before leaning closer.

“Don’t get involved with him again,” he said, calm but firm. “Don’t fall in love with him again. You know that asshole isn’t good for you. Don’t repeat the past. He’s dangerous.”

She nodded and forced a smile. “I know, Theo—”

“I didn’t know Mr. Montgomery kept such a close watch on me.”

The deep, velvety voice came from behind. It made Sienna freeze.

She turned. Adrian was standing there, hands in his pockets, his dark eyes locked on hers before sliding coolly to Theo. There was a mocking curve on his lips, but his gaze burned.

“You came back?” Sienna asked, brows furrowing. She had assumed he’d left with Ella already.

“What? Not happy to see me?” Adrian’s lips lifted into a smirk, but there was a tension in his stance, a storm behind his gaze.

Theo cut in with a scoff. “Did you dump your girlfriend again just now? That seems to be your thing, Vaughn. Rotate one, grab another.”

Adrian’s smile faded into something colder. “You should worry less about my relationships, Theo. This is exactly why you’re never invited to my events—you can’t keep your nose out of places it doesn’t belong.”

Theo raised his brows, unfazed. “At least my nose stays in one place. Yours? You’re looking at one woman while talking to another. Maybe you should focus on that romantic evening with Ella. She might actually teach you a thing or two about loyalty, considering she’s been nursing that crush on you for years and still hasn’t let it go.”

Adrian’s jaw flexed. He lifted his glass to his mouth, the champagne catching the chandelier light as he sipped with icy sharpness.

“I already have a date tonight. A very important one,” Adrian muttered, voice low but cutting. He looked directly at Sienna. His stare burned into her, saying everything his words didn’t.

Theo noticed. He followed Adrian’s gaze and looked at Sienna, his jaw tensing. But before the tension could thicken further, the announcer’s voice rang out:

“We will now begin the auction with our first item of the evening...”

The crowd quieted, turning their attention to the stage.

Theo sighed, ignoring Adrian, and leaned toward Sienna. “Let’s go. It’s starting.”

Sienna exhaled sharply, breaking eye contact with Adrian. Theo gently slipped his arm around her waist, guiding her toward the couches. They took their seats, and a few moments later, Adrian followed and settled in not far from them.

As the auction progressed, excitement buzzed in the air. Items were being sold at lightning speed. Then, a luxury car appeared on the screen—a 1963 Aston Martin—and Sienna leaned toward Theo, eyes sparkling.

“That one,” she whispered. “I’ve been wanting that one forever. Dad’s been pushing to add it to our collection before the new store launch. He said if we manage to get it, I can keep it afterward.” She grinned proudly.

“Nice ride,” Theo said, smirking. “I’ll be expecting a late-night drive.”

“You’ll be the first one,” she said with a wink, her eyes locked on the car being projected as it rolled in further for viewing.

The announcer stepped up to the mic, but his expression changed. He looked down at the tablet in his hand, a crease forming on his forehead.

Sienna’s heart sank. Something wasn’t right.

The auctioneers were trained to stay neutral and emotionless. His expression said something was off.

Then, cold and composed again, he spoke.