Caught In His Embrace: A Second Chance Romance

Chapter 23 With the envelope sealed , Sienna felt a sense of release .

Before leaving , she recalled the half loaf of bread in the fridge and made sure to grab it .

She then headed back to her rental house .

Fortunately , the work of rush hour had passed , leaving the roads clear and smooth .

Once home , she ditched her luggage , rolled up her sleeves , and dove into cleaning .

She wiped down every surface , inside and out , and organized her stuff as best she could .

By the time she finished , it was late , and her stomach was growling .

She had eaten the half loaf of bread earlier during the car ride , and after all that cleaning , it had already been digested , Sienna grabbed her wallet and locked the door behind her as she headed out to the nearest supermarket .

At first , she planned to buy instant ramen , but then she changed her mind .

Instead , she picked up a box of mac and cheese , some deli sandwiches , and a jar of salsa .

Back at her place , she cooked some mac and cheese and paired it with deli sandwiches and salsa .

It was a simple meal that could last her a while perfect for her tight budget .

She hadnt started making money yet and was already struggling financially .

Plus , she had lost $ 1,700- $ 1,500 for a police settlement .

Though she didnt want to pay , she refused to involve Josiah .

She wanted to cut ties completely .

Fortunately , she was starting to work tomorrow , and as long as she didnt starve before payday , shed be fine .

She wasnt too worried ; she had survived tougher times .

Back in Fliraty , when she was really hard up , shed hit up restaurants to score leftover food to eat .

At least cooking for herself meant her meals were clean , and she wouldnt have to compete with beggars .

She was no longer the pampered young lady of the Flynn family .

That night , Josiah returned to Silver Beach at two in the morning .

The living room was dark , lit only by a dim streetlight shining through the balcony door .

As he stepped inside and passed the sofa , he instinctively glanced over .

He stopped , slightly stunned , wondering if he had seen wrong He looked again , and this time it was obvious the sofa was empty, Wheres Sienna ? Isnt she supposed to be sleeping here ? Its so late , he thought .

Suddenly , Josiah smirked , his tone dismissive .

Not pretending to be pitiful anymore ? Finally realized that doesnt work and go to sleep in your own room ? Feeling a bit foggy from the night before , he shook his head -he must have had one too many drinks .

Without thinking twice , he climbed the stairs .

The next day , Josiah woke up late , nursing a hangover .

His head hrobbed , but after a shower , he felt a bit more alert .

, Lily , the cleaning woman was

over when

Mr.

was left for you on

take a look

Josiah reached out and took the heavy

it money ? Wait , there are words written on the eqvelope ? [ Josiah , theres

you helped me with , and $ 200 is for the sofa cleaning fee

and thats about

Ive moved out

for the hassle these past few days

Sincerely , Sienna .

was it nothing more , Josials expression darkened

really was a stack of cash

tossing the money and envelope asid as he walked inside

the bathroom door , he noticed that Siennas big suitcase was

, he

Yes , Mr.

! Lily hurried over , eager

servant rooms.ave those been cleaned

Lily looked puzzled .

or rather , hasnt anyone stayed there yet

of moving into the room , she just left

money ? Since she was fifteen , hasnt everything she owned

look crossed his face

what do you think this is ? A hotel ?

wasting another moment , Josiah pulled out his phone and dialed Sienna ,

groggily as she

Sienna .

, but Sienna felt

? she asked , hesitant , You stayed out all night ? Where did you go ? Josiah asked

, and her sleepiness

she responded , Didnt you see the note I left ? I moved Who said you could move out ? Josiah interrupted , his

agree to this ?

your permission ? Its your house ,

in the air as he struggled

remembered

divorce ? Im

wont happen again .

now on ,

time again is that better ? It sounded perfect ,

house without a word

and cant

, but now

to

, I guess Im being

this up ? Im hanging up now

phone over , and turned back to

his phone , both shocked and annoyed she

wasnt about to dwell on

wanted to move out , he figured hed just let her

matter what he thought