"Dan''s back?"


    "Daniel, why were you sote today? Were you busy?"


    "Daniel, would it be okay if Sienna stays at our ce?"


    "Is everything okay with you?"


    Daniel couldn''t make out a single word amidst the noisy chatter of his family. He looked at Sienna with an intense gaze, feeling like he''d forgotten how to breathe, his heart racing.


    M leaned close to Nathan, her hand muffling her soft giggles as she whispered, "Nate, did you notice how Daniel''s looking at her? It''s obvious he''s smitten."


    Nathan chuckled affectionately and caressed her head as he murmured, "Perhaps you should focus on my gaze instead of eyeing other guys."


    "Let''s y matchmaker for them," M suggested.


    "Let''s leave them be. We''ll see how things y out," Nathan replied.


    "But-"


    Nathan gently held M''s head, drawing her nearer as he whispered, "Forced rtionships rarely end well. It seems your friend might not be as keen on him as you believe." M sighed with resignation, her tone tinged with bitterness. "Looks like you need your eyes checked."


    Nathan shrugged, a puzzled expression crossing his face.


    Daniel walked to the living room and sat on the couch directly across from Sienna. After sitting down, he observed her quietly.


    Sienna began to feel increasingly ufortable, as if she were on edge.


    Sounding gentle and calm, Daniel said, "Sienna."


    Sienna''s heart skipped a beat at the unexpected sound of her name. She met Daniel''s gaze with nervousness, trying to appearposed as she responded, "Yes?" "How''s Mrs. Lawson and Felix beentely?" Daniel asked politely, prompting curious looks from everyone else in the room.


    Sienna felt lost, unsure how to respond to such a heartbreaking question with so many people. listening. Sadness flooded her, but she forced herself to keep a


    composed facade.


    She didn''t want her family''s troubles to dampen everyone else''s mood. So, despite her true feelings, she uttered, "They''re both doing fine."


    After speaking, she lowered her head. Tears welled up in her eyes for reasons she couldn''t quite exin.


    "You..." Daniel started to say something else but faltered; his words stuck in his throat.


    Sienna stood up abruptly and anxiously offered an apologetic nod. "Sorry, everyone. I''m feeling a bit tired. I''m going to my room to rest."


    Florence encouraged her, "Sure, go ahead. Go freshen up and get some rest."


    After bidding them all goodnight, Sienna left the living room.


    Daniel watched her leave, then slumped lifelessly onto the couch, taking deep breaths.From N?velDrama.Org.


    M leaned in toward Daniel,


    speaking softly, "Daniel, have you et


    noticed that Sienna is acting differentlytely? She''s not


    and energetic as she used


    chatty be."


    Daniel fell silent, his gaze fixed on Sienna until she disappeared up the


    stairs. He closed his eyes slowly,


    feeling a strange desire growing inside him.


    "Daniel, I—" Before M could finish her words, Nathan wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close.


    M turned to Nathan helplessly. "What''s the matter? I just wanted to talk to Daniel."


    "Let''s not interfere. If they''re interested in each other, they''ll get together eventually," Nathan said.


    M nodded in agreement.


    Suddenly, Daniel stood up and made his way upstairs. His sudden departure surprised everyone in the living room, and they all turned to watch him go.


    Daniel reached Sienna''s room on the second floor and knocked without hesitation.