Page 68 of Butterfly

“She isn’t the type of girl you can use and discard a moment later when you’re bored.”

It’s a bloody conspiracy. Sienna’s friends want to kill me if I hurt her. Now my mum. And no one is listening to me. “I’m serious about her. I wouldn’t have invited her here otherwise.”

“Do you understand the sacrifice you’re asking yourself to make?” She puts her hand on mine again. “You might be sure now, but what if one of these sophisticated ladies tempts you? What if you miss this life?” She taps a finger on a picture of me and Emily laughing. “From what you told me, Sienna had a hard time growing up, and the panic attack she had in the forest during the marathon points to some serious issues.”

“Yes.” I rub my forehead. “But I won’t miss this life. I want Sienna, and I’m not a cheater. I’ve never been one.” That’s one odd conversation to have with my mum.

The front door being flung open with a thud cuts me off. Footsteps stomp inside.

“You’re being unreasonably stubborn,” Charles shouts.

“I don’t believe I asked for your opinion.” That’s Sienna, her voice ringing with anger.

Mum winces.

“What the hell?” I shoot to my feet and stride to the sitting room, where Charles and Sienna are staring at each other as if ready to rip each other’s throats out.

The tendons in his neck stand out. “I’ll give you my opinion whether you want to hear it or not, especially since you’re being so unreasonable.” He tosses his coat, stained with snow, on a chair.

Sienna’s fists are clenched at her side. “It’s none of your business.”

“What’s the matter?” I step close to Sienna and glare at Charles, fighting the urge to punch him. “What have you done to her?”

He puts his hands on his hips. “Why do you think I’ve done something wrong? Hear what happened first.”

“Stop yelling at Sienna,” I grit out.

“Boys.” Mum steps in as Fiona enters from the back door and says, “What’s the commotion about? I could hear Charles yelling from outside.”

Fiona’s bright smile freezes as she gazes around. “What’s the matter?”

Charles passes a hand over his reddened face. “Sienna had an accident.”

“What?” I say at the same time as Mum says, “Are you all right?”

“What accident?” Fiona removes her coat and searches through her medical bag, likely ready to check on Sienna. “With the car?”

Sienna’s gaze shoots skyward. “It’s nothing.” Despite her words, her neck muscles strain, and a corner of her lip is pulled taut in a grimace of pain.

“While she was examining the donkey, he hit her back. Hard.” Charles works his jaw. “She took the blow fully. We heard this noise of broken bones, like something popped out of its socket. In the car, she kept squirming, obviously in pain. Her right shoulder is swelling, and her right hand is pale and stiff. But she’s refusing to let anyone see her.”

“Is it true?” I touch her shoulder, and she grimaces, jolting under my hand. “Hell, Sienna. Let me see it.”

“It’s nothing.” She swats my hand away, but her right shoulder remains rigid.

“If something is broken, we need to have a look.” Fiona moves closer. “It won’t take a minute.”

“Nothing is broken.” Sienna’s pupils dilate with fear. “I’m a vet. I can understand when something is broken.”

“But I’m a GP.” Fiona lets out a nervous chuckle. “Let me decide if everything is all right. We can go to my clinic and have a quick X-ray if needed.”

“Nothing is needed.” Fire steels Sienna’s voice. Her chest rises.

Charles throws a hand up. “See? Unreasonable.”

“Sienna, darling,” Mum says. “I think Fiona is right. We should take a look at your back.”

“No one is taking a look at my back.” Baring her teeth, Sienna starts shivering, but her right side is stiff.

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