I Fell for the Man Who Ruined Me, Then He Forgot He Ever Loved Me Back novel Chapter 145

Sienna looked at her mother in surprise.

Lillian continued softly, "He studied all that just for your father, didn't he? And that little trinket—he bought it specifically for him."

Truthfully, Sienna wasn't entirely sure, but she had guessed as much.

What she didn't understand was how her mother, who had only met Jorrod once, had seen through it so effortlessly.

"If he truly loved antiques, that wouldn't be the only piece in this empty apartment. And if he cherished it, he wouldn't have just casually abandoned it on the coffee table, practically begging for someone to pick it up and examine it."

Lillian turned her head, her voice calm and measured. "He's baiting your father."

Sienna's heart immediately seized with anxiety.

Sharing a hobby was a stroke of fate.

But if it was all a calculated manipulation...

She reached out, gently grabbing Lillian's hand. "Mom..."

"Your father is a simple man. He's already blinded by the joy of finding a kindred spirit. Even if you gave him two brains, he'd never figure it out unless I pointed it out to him." Lillian patted the back of her daughter's hand and offered a reassuring smile.

"I want my daughter to be free and spirited, to have complete control over all her life choices. So, I won't interfere in this."

Sienna let out a massive sigh of relief.

She pulled her mother into a grateful hug. The moment she let go, she whipped her head back toward the two men.

It was late afternoon by now, the sun beginning to dip below the horizon.

The evening light filtered through the old glass window, casting shattered gold across the room.

Jorrod sat casually on the edge of the sofa, dressed in the outfit she had picked out for him that morning. The golden hour light perfectly traced his stunning profile. Broad shoulders, narrow waist—he was unfairly attractive.

Sienna could only see his side profile as his lips moved in conversation. The TV drowned out his words, but the relaxed, genuine confidence in his posture was undeniable.

Beside him, her father was nodding enthusiastically, eyes brimming with admiration, even reaching out to affectionately clap Jorrod on the shoulder.

As Sienna watched them, her mind unexpectedly flashed back over a decade.

The familiar sofa, the familiar coffee table, the familiar floorboards...

Her family of three, sitting in these exact spots.

Jorrod found the situation equally hilarious. Just as he opened his mouth to tell her she didn't have to, George threw a hand up and corrected him. "Call him Boss."

Sienna couldn't take it anymore. "We aren't in a mafia movie, Dad. What's with the weird hierarchy?"

The older couple exchanged an amused look, and George chuckled softly.

He turned back to Jorrod, the playful grin vanishing from his face. "Us leaving today doesn't mean I fully approve of you and Sienna. But, like you asked, I'll give you a chance. Just remember, you only get one."

"And you didn't buy this chance with trinkets. You earned it with your sincerity today. Whether you can hold onto it is entirely up to you."

Jorrod's gaze naturally shifted to Sienna. He looked at her deeply for a long moment before turning back to George.

Meeting the older man's eyes without flinching, Jorrod pressed his lips together and gave a solemn nod.

He looked at the older man and spoke with quiet gratitude.

"Thank you."

-

The moment her parents were out the door and Sienna and Jorrod stepped back into the apartment, a steady drizzle began tapping against the windows.