Chapter 5: The Eyes Never Lie

Sienna Hart lay in the sterile hospital room, her body a battlefield of recovery and torment. She was struggling, still caught between the throes of physical pain and the unraveling storm inside her heart. The healing was slow, but the emotional turmoil was even slower, dragging her through endless memories that she couldn't quite shake. One question continued to haunt her, echoing in the dark corners of her mind.

Why had she forced him into marriage?

As her mind wandered, she replayed the events that led to this point. The first time she had laid eyes on him, standing in that uniform—those eyes, blue-grey, piercing through her as if they could see every inch of her soul. It had been that attraction, that pull, that strange magnetism that had set her on this path.

But, even in the midst of the obsession, there was one thing Sienna had never fully understood: eyes may be the window to the soul, but not always the key to the heart.

Athens, a few months ago.

It had been a strange, fateful day. Sienna had decided to take a more direct approach—an idea she had secretly crafted in her mind over the past few days. She had been thinking about the possibility of a second meeting with Ronan. She had convinced herself that she needed him to notice her, to feel something more than mere attraction.

So, she plotted. She'd meet him again, but this time, it would be on her terms. No more shy smiles and half-hearted exchanges. This time, she would make sure he saw her. She had spent the night before thinking it through, even hiding her platinum engagement ring that she had bought with her first paycheck—something she didn’t want him to know about just yet.

It wasn’t just the jewelry; it was the symbol of her strength, her independence. It was her way of saying, “I can do this on my own.”

She had no idea that she was playing with fire.

Sienna stood on the cobbled street, her heart pounding as she saw him in the distance—Ronan Barrett. His tall figure was unmistakable, walking with purpose, his uniform crisp and neat. She took a deep breath, and suddenly, the words she had rehearsed seemed to vanish into thin air.

“Focus,” she muttered to herself. “You’ve done this a hundred times before.”

As she walked toward him, she noticed how the golden sunlight reflected off his dark hair, and for a moment, she almost felt like she could see the weight of his presence before he even looked at her. His blue-grey eyes were scanning the crowd when they landed on her, and something in his gaze flickered. She couldn’t tell if it was curiosity or indifference.

He seemed surprised to see her again. “You again?” Ronan’s voice was calm, almost amused.

“I’m everywhere,” Sienna replied, trying to sound nonchalant, though her heart was beating like a drum. “It’s a small city, after all. I’m just making sure I catch all the good shots.”

She smiled, but it was different this time. She wasn’t the quiet observer anymore. She wasn’t the shy girl hoping for a moment of his attention. This time, she had a plan.

“You know, I was hoping to ask you something,” she said, a little too quickly. “There’s this park nearby, it’s beautiful. Would you mind if I take a few photos of you? I think you'd make a good subject.”

Ronan raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting this. “A photo of me? Really?”

She could see the hesitation in his eyes, his cool nature still as strong as ever. But she didn’t let it deter her. “Yes,” she said with more confidence than she felt. “You have that... well, that soldier vibe. Very mysterious. I think people would want to see it.”

For a moment, he said nothing, just studied her as if she were an enigma. She couldn’t help but feel exposed under his gaze, like every inch of her was laid bare.

“I’m not sure I’m the right subject for that,” he said slowly. “I’m not exactly... photogenic.”

The words were a slight, but Sienna’s pride only flared for a moment before she suppressed it with a smile.

“Everyone has a story to tell, Ronan,” she said softly. “I’m just trying to capture that. Even if it’s only for a minute.”

To her surprise, he agreed, but it was clear that he didn’t have the same enthusiasm. He allowed her to guide him through the park, though his eyes were always scanning the surroundings. It wasn’t like the interactions she had with other people she photographed. With Ronan, it felt more like an obligation than anything else.

Later that day.

Sienna sat with her camera in hand, reviewing the pictures she’d taken of him. There was nothing about his gaze that gave her butterflies. Nothing that spoke of desire or affection. Instead, there was only... coldness. It was almost like she was looking at a stranger through the lens, not a man who had once ignited something in her chest. His eyes didn’t soften for her. They remained as impassive as ever.

Just then, she heard a voice from behind her.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t Ronan’s little friend.”

It was Richard, Ronan’s best friend. He was a tall man with a mischievous grin, dark hair falling messily over his forehead, and the kind of smile that made you question whether you should be worried or flattered.

“I see Ronan’s fan club is growing,” he said, giving Sienna an exaggerated wink.

Sienna laughed, rolling her eyes. “I’m not a fan, Richard. Just trying to get some good photos.”

“Uh-huh,” he said, pulling up a chair and sitting down beside her. “And I suppose that’s why Ronan’s been walking around in a uniform for the past week. Trying to get some ‘good photos,’ right?”

She couldn’t help but grin at his teasing. Richard was charming in a way Ronan wasn’t. He had a way of making things lighter, more bearable, without the weight of intensity that Ronan carried with him. It made Sienna feel a little at ease, even if just for a moment.

“You think he looks good in a uniform, don’t you?” Richard continued, nudging her playfully.

Sienna’s face flushed. “I didn’t say that.”

Richard chuckled. “Oh, come on. It’s obvious. You two look like a perfect match.”

At that, Sienna’s smile faded. “Not really. Ronan’s not exactly interested.”

“Ah, but you’re not giving up, are you?” Richard said, his grin widening. “You’ve got the eyes of a woman on a mission. And trust me, I know that look. You’re not backing down.”

Sienna’s lips twisted into a tight smile. “I’ll figure it out,” she muttered, but deep down, she wasn’t sure anymore. She wasn’t sure of anything, not with Ronan. Not with her own heart.

Back to the present.

The pain in her body felt distant, but the memories swirled, overwhelming her. As her mind floated between the past and present, Sienna wondered if it had all been a lie. Had it all been just a fleeting attraction for Ronan? Or had she truly meant something to him? Had she been too blind, too desperate to make him see her, that she missed every sign?

And most importantly—had she forced him into a life he didn’t want?

Perhaps her biggest mistake had been thinking that eyes could reveal everything. That they could lead to a heart that beat for her.

But maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t too late to change that story.

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