Chapter 267: Meeting Zachary’s Parents (3)

Hannah continued, "When I first saw you yesterday, I thought you were just a beautiful young woman who had somehow gotten involved with Sky."

She smiled apologetically.

"But after hearing you speak today... and after seeing the way you treated Sky yesterday..."

Her expression softened even further.

"I can tell you’re kind."

Sienna blinked in surprise.

"You remained respectful even after I misunderstood you."

Hannah let out a quiet sigh.

"Not many young people would have shown me that much patience."

She smiled warmly.

"I’m grateful that my son married someone like you."

Sienna felt her eyes sting slightly. She hadn’t expected to receive such complete acceptance from her mother-in-law so quickly.

"Thank you, Ma’am."

"You don’t have to thank me." Hannah chuckled softly. "If anything, I’m the one who should thank you."

She looked at Sienna with unmistakable affection.

"Thank you for loving my son."

Sienna’s cheeks warmed.

"...thank you for giving us Sky, such a sweet, thoughtful little boy, and you can call me Hannah or Mother."

The words touched Sienna more deeply than she could express.

Before she could respond, Kennedy, who had been quietly listening the entire time, finally spoke. "I’d like to thank you as well, Sienna."

She immediately turned toward him.

His expression remained calm and dignified, but there was unmistakable kindness in his eyes.

"Thank you for giving our family such a wonderful grandson." He smiled faintly. "And thank you for agreeing to marry Zachary."

His gaze briefly shifted toward his son before returning to her.

"I’ve watched my stubborn son devote himself to work for years. I honestly wondered whether he would ever settle down because he never showed interest in women."

Zachary rubbed the back of his neck with an embarrassed smile.

"Dad, please..."

Kennedy chuckled. "I only told the truth... You only love your job!"

That light remark eased the atmosphere, drawing gentle smiles from everyone.

Kennedy then looked back at Sienna.

"Our family isn’t complete because of our name or our business," Kennedy spoke slowly, choosing each word with care. "It’s complete because we welcome the people who become part of it."

Kennedy paused to give her a warm, fatherly smile. "So, welcome to the Sterling family, Sienna."

Emotion filled Sienna’s chest. She had spent months imagining this meeting, preparing herself for rejection, difficult questions, and endless explanations about her family background.

Instead, she was being welcomed with gratitude.

Before she could even gather herself enough to reply, Hannah stood up from the sofa. She walked over to Sienna and smiled warmly.

"My dear..."

Sienna instinctively rose to her feet as well.

The next moment, Hannah wrapped her arms around her in a gentle embrace.

"I’m so happy to finally meet you. Welcome to my family, Sienna..."

Sienna hesitated for only a heartbeat before returning the hug.

"Thank you, Hannah..." Her voice came out softer than she intended. "It means a lot to hear that."

Hannah gently patted her back. "From now on, we’re family." She said before she loosened her embrace.

When they stepped apart, Kennedy also rose from his seat.

Unlike Hannah’s affectionate embrace, he simply placed a gentle hand on Sienna’s shoulder before giving her a brief, respectful hug.

"Welcome home, my daughter."

Those simple words carried a warmth that Sienna hadn’t realized she had been longing for. The affection she never received from her own father.

She smiled through the emotion welling inside her.

"Thank you, Father..." The words slipped out naturally from her lips.

Kennedy’s smile widened, while Hannah’s eyes brightened with obvious delight.

Watching the scene unfold, Zachary quietly let out the breath he hadn’t realized he had been holding.

The tension he had carried since the previous afternoon finally disappeared. He had worried his parents would question Sienna’s background or reopen the misunderstanding from the mall. Instead, they had chosen to welcome her with open hearts.

A smile slowly spread across his face as he watched his mother affectionately take Sienna’s hand.

"Come, dear..." Hannah said warmly. "Why are you sitting all the way over there? Sit with me..."

Without waiting for an answer, she gently guided Sienna to the sofa and seated her beside her.

"There," Hannah said with a satisfied smile. "That’s much better."

Sienna glanced at Zachary almost shyly. Their eyes met across the room. Neither of them needed to say anything.

The happiness in Zachary’s smile told her everything she needed to know.

Their conversation continued to revolve around Skylar as they discussed the plans for his birthday party, which was only a few days away.

They went over every detail together, from the location they had chosen to the party theme, and even the present Skylar had been hoping for this year.

What had started as a simple conversation gradually grew more relaxed, with both women enjoying the chance to share stories about someone they both cared for deeply.

Sienna laughed when she told Hannah about Skylar’s unusual request to have a garden party in the backyard.

Of all the places he could have chosen, he had insisted on celebrating at home, surrounded by flowers and fresh air. Zachary had even suggested holding the party on the island instead, promising that the sea scenery would make the celebration unforgettable.

However, Skylar had stubbornly refused. He had said he wanted the comfort of home, where he could run around the garden and spend time with everyone without having to travel anywhere.

"He was so determined," Sienna said with an amused smile. "No matter how much his dad tried to persuade him, he would not change his mind. He just kept saying he wanted his birthday in the backyard."

Hannah chuckled warmly as she imagined the little boy standing his ground. "That certainly sounds like Little Sky. He’s just like his father. Once he makes up his mind, convincing him otherwise is nearly impossible."

"It really is," Sienna agreed, shaking her head with a soft laugh. "In the end, Zachary gave up and told Arthur and everyone in the house to make the backyard look as beautiful as possible instead."

Their laughter slowly faded into a comfortable silence before Sienna’s expression softened.