Chapter 697
Jarred followed Sienna, watching the quiet resolve in her profile.
Though she hadn’t said another word, he felt like he finally understood so much about her.
He stood still, looking around the perfectly preserved, immaculate house.
Taking in the deep-seated nostalgia and reverence on her face, it hit him all at once.
This seemingly forgotten, old estate.
It was the only piece of home she had left in her turbulent life.
It was the sanctuary that held all her warmest memories.
In the past, he had only ever seen her cold, impenetrable exterior. He had never witnessed this sentimental, deeply emotional side of her.
A surging wave of bittersweet relief washed over him.
How incredibly lucky he was to be allowed into this unseen chapter of her past, to catch a glimpse of the soft heart she kept hidden from the world.
From this day forward, he swore to protect this sanctuary that held her history.
He would defend it with everything he had.
He would ensure no one ever disturbed her peace.
Once they reached the underground lab.
Jarred carefully settled Silas onto a bed in the corner.
After finishing the task, he turned around, about to ask her what the next steps were.
Sienna’s icy voice cut him off first.
“You can leave now. Don’t come down unless I call for you p>
Jarred stiffened. The gentle warmth that had just begun to thaw in his eyes froze instantly, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed hard.
He wanted to say something to ease the tension.
But a second later, Sienna’s expression grew even colder. She stared right at him, a faint trace of mockery and heavy guardedness in her eyes.
“What? Did you already forget the ground rules you just agreed to p>
A bitter lump formed in Jarred’s throat, choking back every word he wanted to say.
But he didn’t dare—he absolutely refused to upset her right now.
He had fought too hard for this chance to guard her, and he wasn’t going to throw it away.
Pressing his lips together, he swallowed his frustration and replied in a low, tight voice, “Fine I’ll come back at dinnertime!
He turned to leave, but then paused, remembering something.
Looking back at her, he asked, “Can I take a look around? The house, I mean p>
Sienna didn’t even turn around, tossing out a single word: “Sure p>
She didn’t spare him a single glance.
Jarred stood there in silence for two seconds.
He eventually realized no further explanation was coming.
Exhaling a heavy breath, he pushed down his emotions and slowly backed out of the hidden room.
The bookcase slid shut, restoring the wall to its original state.
It completely sealed off the two worlds.
The moment Jarred stepped out of the study, his submissive demeanor vanished entirely.
A cold, predatory sharpness flooded his eyes.
Pulling out his communicator, he immediately restructured their defense grid ordering his men to lock down the entire perimeter of The Sloan Estate.
From the street, it still looked like a quiet, unremarkable old house.
But on the inside, Jarred had just turned it into an impenetrable fortress.
With the security measures firmly in place, Jarred stood in the middle of the quiet, empty living room.
On the coffee table, tucked beneath a heavy pane of glass.
Lay a few yellowed photographs.
One showed a young woman holding a little girl with pigtails.
They were laughing under a sycamore tree, the dappled sunlight breaking across their faces.
Next to it was a family portrait taken right on the front steps of this very house, featuring five people.
The elderly couple in the center had a distinct elegance that vaguely matched the photos Jarred had seen in the past
The younger man and woman beside them were unfamiliar to him.
Jarred leaned over, studying the family photo through the glass.
The little girl was grinning widely, missing a front tooth, her elbow resting on her father’s knee.
She was on her tiptoes, looking as if she were about to leap off the porch at any second.