Best Friends 22

Chapter 22 

Sienna was checking inventory for an upcoming exhibition with Daniel when her mom called from 

the States. 

Her mother’s voice carried this mix of anger and sadness as she explained that Nina had finally been sentenced to life in prison. 

And Ryan was dead – stabbed by Nina, then died in the fire she’d set. 

Sienna’s pen stopped moving, ink bleeding into a dark spot on her checklist. 

Sunlight was streaming through the office windows, but she felt this cold chill crawling up her spine. 

The boy who’d followed her around since they were toddlers, who she’d loved and hated and finally let go of, was gone. In the most brutal way possible. 

“Do you want to go back for the funeral?” Daniel noticed her going pale and gently covered her hand with his. 

Sienna was quiet for a long time, then nodded. “Yeah. I should… say goodbye, I guess.” 

The Mitchell family estate was still wrapped in police tape, a burned–out shell. Ryan’s dad looked like he’d aged twenty years overnight. His mom was barely holding it together, just crying when she saw Sienna, unable to speak. 

Sienna’s mom explained quietly that Ryan had fought for a week in intensive care before finally letting go. 

At the memorial service, Mrs. Mitchell grabbed Sienna’s hands with shaking fingers. “He kept saying your name,” she whispered through tears. “Even at the end, he was calling for you.” 

Sienna stood in front of the memorial photo – Ryan at seventeen in a white button–down, that cocky smile she remembered from high school. 

Daniel stood beside her, not trying to say anything comforting, just being there. 

The whole thing felt surreal. This person who’d been such a huge part of her life story was just… gone. 

But she’d grieved their relationship years ago. This was just closing a book that had ended long before the last page. 

Chapter 22 

They each placed white lilies by Ryan’s memorial photo. 

There was no dramatic breakdown, just this weird sense of closure. 

After the service, Sienna hugged his parents and said quietly, “I’m so sorry for your loss.” 

That was it. The Ryan Mitchell chapter of her life was officially closed. 

Back in London, Daniel didn’t push her to talk about it, just took her to their favorite pub for fish and chips and let her process. 

The evening breeze caught her hair as he pulled her close on the walk home. “You good?” 

Sienna leaned against him. “Yeah. I actually am.” 

Life got back to normal pretty quickly. 

With Daniel cheering her on, Sienna’s restoration projects started blowing up internationally. Her work was featured in Architectural Digest, she got invited to TED Talks, the whole nine yards. 

Their families had become super close – Sunday dinners where his mom taught her British baking secrets while their dads argued about soccer and craft beer. 

Three years later, they had this perfect small wedding at a countryside chapel outside London. 

Nothing over–the–top, just their people and lots of good vibes. 

Sienna wore this gorgeous vintage dress and carried wildflowers Daniel had picked that morning, walking toward the guy who’d never once made her question her worth. 

Right before the vows, some lawyer showed up with a FedEx package – apparently Ryan had arranged delivery for her wedding day before he died. 

Inside was a cashier’s check with a note in Ryan’s messy handwriting: “For your wedding. Wanted to do one last thing right.” 

There was also this faded sundress from Target – one he’d bought her senior year with his Starbucks paycheck. She’d thought it was too basic and never really wore it. 

Tucked underneath was another note: “Hope you get your happily ever after.” 

Sienna looked at the worn fabric that somehow still smelled like Tide detergent and teenage dreams, then handed everything to Daniel. “Can you just… put this away somewhere?” 

Chapter 22 

Daniel tucked the box under his chair without making it weird, then took her hands again – warm, steady, here. 

When they were pronounced husband and wife, the church bells rang out over the English 

countryside. Late afternoon sun streamed through old windows, making everything look like a fairy 

tale. 

Sienna looked up at Daniel, his smile so genuine it made her chest tight with happiness. 

They walked out into their new life together, past fields of wildflowers and toward whatever came 

next. 

All that messy first–love drama felt like someone else’s story now. 

This was her real beginning.