Chapter 19
The internet drama gradually died down. The vicious comments about Sienna got buried under posts praising her academic achievements and calling out Nina’s lies.
But all that hate still sat like ice in her chest, refusing to melt.
Sienna was zoning out in the lab, staring blankly at research papers on her laptop screen, mindlessly scrolling without actually reading anything. She didn’t even notice Daniel walking in.
“Penny for your thoughts?” He set a mug of hot chocolate next to her keyboard, the warmth radiating through the ceramic.
Sienna looked up and forced a smile. “Just tired.”
Daniel saw right through her bullshit exhaustion, but instead of pushing, he stepped out to make a phone call.
When he came back, he was holding her jacket. “I got you excused from classes for a week. We’re going somewhere.”
That’s how Sienna found herself on a plane to Switzerland with absolutely no idea where they were
heading.
When they landed, snow–capped mountains gleamed white against the impossibly blue sky.
Standing by Lake Geneva, watching the peaks reflected in the crystal–clear water, Sienna felt the tight knot in her chest finally start to loosen.
“My parents live here now,” Daniel said casually, adjusting her scarf against the mountain breeze. “They’ve been dying to meet you.”
The Hayes family house was tucked into a hillside covered in lavender fields that wouldn’t bloom until spring.
Daniel’s mom grabbed Sienna’s hands the second she walked through the door, her whole face
lighting up. “I’ve heard so much about you! This one never brings anyone home usually too bus
buried in his research to remember he has a social life,”
–
His dad chuckled, handing Sienna a mug of mulled wine. “Brilliant academically – youngest professor in his department’s history but completely hopeless when it comes to dating.”
Chapter 19
Hearing his parents tease him, Daniel actually blushed, which made Sienna smile for the first time
in days.
Daniel’s parents went all out making dinner for her. His mom kept piling food on Sienna’s plate while sharing embarrassing childhood stories about Daniel. His dad got into this fascinating conversation with her about historical preservation projects. The whole atmosphere was so warm and welcoming it made her chest feel soft.
This was the kind of relaxed, unconditional acceptance Sienna had never really experienced before.
No walking on eggshells, no hidden agendas, just pure kindness from people who were genuinely happy to meet her.
After dinner, Daniel suggested a walk to see the stars, leading her up into the hills above the house.
The night was crystal clear, stars scattered across the sky like diamonds, the Milky Way so bright it looked almost within reach.
Mountain air carried the scent of wild herbs and lavender, lifting Sienna’s hair in the gentle breeze.
“Sienna.”
Daniel suddenly stopped walking and turned to face her, starlight reflecting in his eyes.
“These past few months with you have been… everything to me.”
He took a deep breath, his voice carrying just a hint of nervousness.
“I don’t want to just be your professor anymore. I don’t want to just be your research partner…”
He paused, and that moment of silence made Sienna’s heart race.
“I want to be the person who gets to wake up next to you every morning. I want to support your work for the rest of our careers. I want to see the world with you.”
Sienna’s heart skipped completely.
+
She thought about all those moments him quietly handing her tissues when she spilled coffee, holding an umbrella over her in the rain, the way he looked at her in the gallery, how gently he’d taken care of her when she was sick…
All of Daniel’s quiet kindness had been building like a river, slowly but surely filling the spaces Ryan had left empty,
Chapter 19
She looked up into his star–filled eyes and nodded softly, her voice catching with emotion but completely certain.
“Yes.”
Daniel’s face lit up with pure joy.
He carefully pulled her into his arms, holding her like she was something precious and fragile.
Thank you,” he whispered against her hair, his voice shaking slightly with happiness.
They held each other under the mountain stars, as if trying to make up for all the time they’d spent dancing around their feelings.
The wind carried lavender and pine through the air, the Milky Way stretching endlessly overhead.
Leaning against Daniel’s chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, Sienna finally understood the difference between real love and what she’d had before.
This wasn’t the blazing heat of summer – this was starlight. Gentle, constant, something that could guide her through whatever came next.
Chapter 20
