Sienna spent three days in the hospital.
During those three days, Nina managed to post seventeen Instagram stories.
[Ryan’s treating me to hot pot!] featuring his hands putting wagyu into her bowl
[First time skydiving… I’m literally shaking!] with Ryan giving her that same soft, reassuring look he used to save just for Sienna
[Ryan says I need to rest up and let him take care of me] him spoon–feeding her soup in what was definitely his apartment
Sienna scrolled through each story like she was reading grocery ads.
Funny how your heart eventually just… stops giving a shit.
Day she got discharged, she hit up her usual spot – this bougie wellness center in Beverly Hills where a facial costs more than most people’s rent.
She’d barely walked through the doors when she heard, “Sienna?”
Ryan was standing at the front desk with Nina glued to his side, both looking like they’d been caught shoplifting.
“Oh shit, you’re out! How’s your head feeling?”
“Better,” she said, eyeing their matching guilty expressions.
Ryan looked relieved. “That’s awesome. So, uh, Nina’s never done the whole spa thing, and I figured you’d know what’s good here? I’m completely useless with this stuff.”
Of course he was bringing his new pet project to her sanctuary.
Rather than cause a scene in front of the Beverly Hills crowd, Sienna just nodded.
They ended up in side–by–side treatment rooms. Her usual aesthetician brought out Sienna’s custom La Prairie routine the kind of skincare that costs more than a used Honda.
Nina was practically drooling watching the process. “Holy crap, those bottles probably cost more than a car. Must be nice having rich parents… I’ve been using Cetaphil and hoping for the best since
2013 C
From Best Friends to Betraval: I Chosa Musalf
Chapter 4
middle school”
Right on cue, Ryan went full sugar daddy mode. “Don’t even worry about money. Whatever Sienna uses, get Nina the same.”
“Ryan, no way! That stuff’s like luxury car expensive. I’m not worth-”
“Don’t you dare finish that sentence.” His voice got all protective and intense. “You’re worth everything.”
Sienna cracked one eye open. “Hey, could you maybe move them to the room down the hall? I’m trying to zen out over here.”
Ryan looked confused. “Oh, should I just buy Nina the same routine? I mean, if it works for you-”
“The spa people will hook her up with something,” Sienna said, closing her eyes again. “They’re professionals.”
Thank God. Peace at last.
After her fácial, Sienna just bounced without waiting for them.
She’d barely walked through her front door when it burst open.
“SIENNA!”
He was in her face immediately, grabbing her arm hard enough to bruise. “Nina’s in the ER because of whatever sick shit you pulled at that spa!”
“Ow – Ryan, let go!” She tried yanking her arm back. “What are you even talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb with me!” His voice was shaking with rage. “Look, I know I’ve been paying attention to Nina lately, but that’s because she took a literal ceiling fan to the face for me! You’re still my girlfriend – if you have a problem, we talk about it. You don’t try to disfigure someone!”
Sienna felt like she’d been punched. “Are you insane? We used identical products! Why would I be fine if I sabotaged anything?”
“Because your family basically owns that place!” He let out this ugly laugh. “One text from princess Sienna and boom – Nina gets some fucked up reaction while you’re perfectly fine!”
The accusation was so vicious, so out of nowhere, that Sienna couldn’t even respond.
Ryan took her silence as admission of guilt and started dragging her toward his car.
2013
From Best Friends to Betrayal: I Chose Myself
Chapter 4
“What are you doing?!” She dug her heels in.
He didn’t answer, just shoved her into the passenger seat and drove like a complete psycho to
Cedars–Sinai.
Nina was tucked into a hospital bed, face covered in some kind of white cream, looking like she was on her deathbed instead of dealing with what was probably just sensitive skin.
“Say you’re sorry,” Ryan ordered, like she was five years old.
Sienna stared at her wrist, which was already turning purple from his grip. This was the same guy who used to panic if she got a splinter.
“I’m not apologizing for something I didn’t do.”
“It’s fine,” Nina whispered, going full victim mode. “I don’t need an apology… I know she didn’t mean it…”
That set Ryan off even more. “Look at her face, then look at yourself! How can you keep being such a bitch to someone who’s never done anything to you?”
His eyes locked onto the Tiffany pendant around Sienna’s neck – the one he’d saved up for months to buy her, the one he’d said meant they were “forever.”
“You know what? If you won’t apologize, give her that necklace. Consider it compensation.”
Sienna’s hand flew to her throat. “Do you remember what this is?”
She could see in his eyes that he didn’t. It was just another thing about her he’d forgotten.
“It’s a necklace, Sienna. I’ll get you a better one when you stop acting psychotic.”
“Nina’s being way too nice by not pressing charges. You can’t even give up some jewelry?”
Something inside Sienna just… snapped. She ripped the chain off so hard it left a mark on her neck and threw it at Nina’s bed.
“There. Happy now?”
She walked out while Ryan was still lecturing her about “gratitude” and “basic human decency.”
Let him have his precious Nina. She was so fucking done.
20:13 C
