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 .

, the cleaning woman was already there ,

over when she

Mr.

for

a look

is it ? Josiah reached out and took the heavy

are words written on the eqvelope ? [ Josiah ,

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

checked , and thats

, Ive

these

Sincerely , Sienna .

was it nothing more , Josials expression darkened as he oened the

was a stack of cash

the money and envelope asid as

he noticed that Siennas big suitcase was

he

Yes , Mr.

over , eager

of servant rooms.ave those been cleaned ? Is anyone staying there ? Yes , theyve all

Lily looked puzzled .

no one staying there , or rather , hasnt anyone stayed there yet

room

me money ? Since she was fifteen , hasnt everything she

his face as annoyance

A hotel ? You cant just come and

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

she mumbled groggily as she

Sienna .

came through with a soft chuckle , but Sienna felt

You stayed out all night ? Where did you

off guard , and her

responded , Didnt you see the note I left ? I moved Who said you could move out ? Josiah interrupted , his voice laced with anger that seemed to cut right through her

this ? Sienna frowned , slightly

permission ? Its your house , and I wasnt even supposed to stay there

silence hung in the air as he struggled to

suddenly remembered

you worried about the divorce ? Im sorry I

wont happen again .

, From now on , until we finalize the

again is that better ? It sounded perfect , yet

still havent learned how to behave ? You just disappear from someone elses house without a word ? Where are your manners

is still as stubborn as ever and cant stand anyone crossing him even

his anger , but now it

just wanted to keep her

I guess Im being

up ? Im hanging up

ended the call , flipped her phone over , and turned back to her pillow

at his phone , both shocked and annoyed she actually

about to

that she wanted to move out , he figured hed just let her

matter what he thought