Camryn did not return to Lori's hospital room. Neither did Matt. The hours passed and Lori and Paige fell asleep in a ball on Lori's bed. They had planned Sienna's wedding until the early hours of the morning and then, just like that, as the sun rose, they drifted off. Sienna was left alone with her thoughts.

Standing up, she collected her coat and left the room. Her first instinct was to wander the halls. There were hardly any people around, but she felt an odd stab of loneliness. Even with her family so close, she felt so far away from them.

"You look like your mother," Gram said, appearing next to her. She had two cups of coffee in her hands. Having not slept, Sienna took one gratefully. "I've tried not saying it to you for years, since it holds a negative meaning to you, but Sienna, you've grown up."

Sienna turned the coffee cup in her hands, unsure of what to say.

"I'm proud of you," Gram said. "I thought…this wouldn't last. My Sienna and some prince…it didn't seem real. You were such an independent, innocent girl. Still…to have this happen…so soon…I'm proud of you. If anyone can help lead this country, Sienna, it's you." Gram gently touched her face, holding up Sienna's chin so she was looking Gram in the eyes. "You have this look of heartbroken defeat. Is it because your bakery dream seems so far away?"

"It's…something like that," Sienna admitted.

"Well, maybe they could let you cook at the palace," Gram said. "I don't think they can say no to royalty."

Sienna took a sip of the coffee. "I have to go settle some things. Matt told me to be on standby. His parents are in a rush for this marriage."

"How romantic," Gram said sarcastically.

For once, Sienna managed a bitter smile. "Tell me about it," she said. Sighing, she gave Gram a reassuring nod of her head. "So…uh…will you be walking me down the aisle?"

"Child…I am honored you would ask me, but…" she sniffed and wiped at her eyes. "Truth be told, Sienna, that place belongs to your father. He isn't here, but on the day you marry, he will be here in spirit. We must leave it open to him."

Sienna was crying before she could stop it. Her whole heart just seemed to break. Gram was right. He was still there, even if she couldn't see him. Gram took the coffee from her as she tried to wipe at her eyes, but the tears came too quickly. Sienna just couldn't get her parents out of her head. Why couldn't they be here? It wasn't fair. Gram put the coffees down and hugged Sienna. Even that felt empty.

"Thank you, Gram," she said, her cheeks burning. "I'm so sorry."

"There's no reason you should be sorry, child," Gram said.

Gram smoothed down Sienna's hair and wiped her cheeks with her sleeve.

"There you go," she said, smiling at Sienna. "All better. Didn't you have some things to do?"

"Right," Sienna blinked a few times and rubbed at her own eyes. "Things to do, people to see. Busy. Very busy."

"Well, make sure you eat something and try to do something that calms you down. If you're not careful, they'll be carting you in here next." Gram patted her shoulder and handed her back the coffee. "Have a glass of water and a whole box of cookies…and possibly a gallon of ice cream. Also, you should have some tea to down it all with."

"Excellent, tea," Sienna wrinkled her nose in disgust. "I'll see you at home, Gram."

Gram waved her off and entered Lori's room.

Sienna stood, staring at the coffee. "Well," she mumbled. "I'm getting married, so hell, why not?" she downed the whole thing in one swig and went for her car, dumping the cup into the trash on the way.

~.~

After going home to shower, change, and eat nearly everything sweet Gram had in her freezer, Sienna took her car to Frank's bakery around seven. He usually didn't open until nine, but he was inside, making pies.

Slowly, she put the car into park. She sat with her hands on the steering wheel. Was this how Matt had felt? James had been happy, doing his own thing, and then, when Matt realized it would never work, he had to tell him the bad news. Did Matt feel as awful as she did? Would she ever truly forgive herself? Squeezing the wheel, she refused to cry and turned off the car. Holding her coat close, she stepped out and slammed the door.

At first, she walked for the back door. That was how she normally entered the bakery. Not today, she decided. Today, I am resigning.

Sienna walked in through the front door. The bell chimed overhead. She heard Matt shout from the other room, but she couldn't make out what he said. Suddenly, she was panicking. Everything she had planned to say vanished. She fought tears of frustration.

And then Frank appeared. At first he seemed tired and floury, but then, seeing her, his eyes lit up. How many times had she seen that before? Why was it different this time?

"Sienna, you're early!" he said. "Have you come to help me open for the day?"

"Frank…" she said, trying to smile. He was like a little kid. Only…he never needed her help. She almost had to fight him to get any work done around the bakery. Why did he have to be so…perfect? "It's my fault, Frank."

His face immediately went serious. "What happened? Are you okay?"

"I…can't work here anymore," she said.

"Hey, if it's your family, I can help," he said. "Look, we're in this together. You don't have to ask…"

Tears fell from Sienna's eyes. How could she do this? His family drove him away; hers had left her so soon. Lori and Paige were all she had left. All he had was a bakery. Both of them understood being written off and being an underdog.

"I want you to hate me," she said. "Why can't you just hate me? That would make this so much easier. Get angry, call me stupid. Anything to make me feel less like a cruel, bitchy girl…"

"Just tell me," Frank was begging. "I can make it better."

Sienna loved him. There was no doubt in her mind. He was impossible not to love. She was all wrong for him; she was horrible, she was cruel, she was evil. This was going to ruin her life. She couldn't drag Frank around forever.

"You can't help me this time."

He looked stunned.

"This time, Frank," she wiped at her eyes. "You have to let me go. I did something dumb. There's a chance I may suffer for the rest of my life because of it, but it's because I'm so goddamn stupid. I'm going to leave, Frank, and you're never going to see me again. Please, just hate me. Call me some nasty words after I leave. Hate me forever. That's all you can do."

"Sienna…"

She went for the door. Frank tried to grab her, but she was already outside—and once she was outside, she was faced with two large, buff men in suits.

They were Matt's body guards.

"Is he here?" she whispered.

"No, ma'am, the Queen sent us."

"The Queen?"

Sienna turned her head. Frank was standing in the doorway of the bakery, staring at her. Neither of them knew what to say.

"Prince Matthew did, however, instruct us to collect you and take you to the palace immediately," said the second man. "You are to remain at the palace until it is safe for you to be elsewhere."

"Safe? What am I in danger from?" Sienna cried.

"Some people are not in favor of the crown and will go to extreme lengths to see it harmed," said the first man. "Being who you are, Your Majesty, you are now in danger. We will be at your side at all times until we are sure you are not in any danger."

"Does the public already know?" she asked.

"We aren't sure," said the second man. "Does this man know? If he does, it would be in the best interest to advise him not to say anything."

"No, he doesn't know," Sienna shook her head. She turned to face Frank. He was completely horrified. "Frank, you shouldn't answer any questions involving me. You never knew me. I was just a girl who worked for you."

"Are you serious?" he whispered. His voice sounded tortured, like she had just struck him.

"Not a word," she said. "From here on, we should never interact again."

"Why?" he asked. "Why is it that important?"

"Because," she looked away. "The world can never know I love you."

She walked to her car. The men had parked next to it with a black suburban.

"May I have your car keys, ma'am?" the first man asked.

"Under two conditions: one, you never repeat to anyone what just occurred. Secondly, you treat her well." Sienna touched the hood of her baby. It was the one thing in the world that she would never hurt.

"I will," the first man promised.

Sienna handed him the keys. "You'd better, or I will find you."

"Understood," he said.

The second man put a firm hand on Sienna's shoulder and gently steered her to the black suburban. She was put in the back seat, in the middle, and strapped in twice.

"Isn't this a little unnecessary?" she asked.

The second man's answer was, "The Queen said if you die, we die."

Sienna sighed, leaned back in the seat, and closed her eyes.

So just like that, her life was over.