Caught In His Embrace: A Second Chance Romance

Chapter 129

Cedric froze, the smile on his face faltering. As expected, he had been rejected.

With a self–deprecating chuckle, he said, “So, I guess this is your way of refusing me?”

“No,” Sienna said, momentarily stunned. “No, you’re a good person.”

“But just not the one you like.” Cedric’s smile turned bitter. “Is that it?”

A

Not ready to give up yet, Cedric quickly added before Sienna could respond, “I get it, you can’t force feelings. But there’s such a thing as love at first sight, and then there’s love that grows over time. We’ve never really tried being together.

“Maybe if we gave it a shot, you’d start seeing me differently. Sienna, what do you say? You don’t hate me, do you?”

Sienna paused, taken aback. His confession was so pure, so passionate, so bold like a young man throwing caution to the wind, not caring about the consequences. It almost reminded her of the person she had been when she was twenty.

Sighing lightly, Sienna had no choice but to remind him, “Cedric, does your family know about this?”

‘Cedric blinked, taken off guard. He opened his mouth, then admitted. “Not yet.”

Just as she had suspected. Sienna turned the glass of water in her hand slowly, locking eyes with him.

“If what you’re looking for is just a ‘memory,‘Cedric… then I won’t turn you down.”

He had helped her more than once. He was a warm presence in her life.

For his sake, she wouldn’t mind spending a little time with him, becoming a ‘passing figure’in each other’s lives.

She wasn’t some old–fashioned, conservative type. She didn’t think romance between men and women was anything to be ashamed of. But she knew Cedric wasn’t like that. He was serious.

“Sienna,” Cedric said her name with a note of urgency.

As expected, he quickly shook his head, denying it. “I’m not looking for just a fleeting thing. I want us to have a future.”

“A future?” Sienna couldn’t help but laugh bitterly, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. “We won’t have a future. Your family won’t accept me.”

‘How could I, a twice–divorced woman, possibly be right for him He is a rich, well–educated man from a prestigious family. And to make matters worse, I have Joyce,’ she wondered.

It was simply impossible.

a moment, struggling for words. “How can you

sure.” Sienna replied without hesitation, her conviction

Fliraty, and I’m not

p

“I’m truly grateful for everything you’ve done for helping me break free

“You’re an important friend to me. Let’s end this now, while it’s still just feelings. Before things get

20:55 Mon, Jan 6

Chapter 129

too deeply attached,

didn’t want

on the door. The

58%

Sienna said, changing the subject, “Wasn’t this dinner supposed to be a celebration of my successful performance? Let’s not talk about this anymore. Let’s enjoy the

this point, there was no point in saying more. The issue wasn’t just with him–it was with his

at home, Cedric was deep in thought, planning his next

with Sienna from his family. He just didn’t think it was the

bring it up sooner. Once he came clean to his family, she would have no reason to reject him, right?

he’d confess to

return, thinking to himself, should I prepare a gift for the confession? What would be appropriate? The gift

his way to the basement. The basement housed a safe

his personal safe. He opened it and rummaged through until

locked the safe

was about to go upstairs, he

to find his parents, Evan Brawne and Xenia

Mom, Dad,”

just returned from a gathering. It was perfect timing, as Cedric

a few steps forward, her expression a little strange as she looked him over. “You’re back early.” Then,

it, smiling as he

anyway, so there was no need to keep it a

it instantly.

“Yes.” Cedric nodded.

permission, Xenia grabbed the box, opened it, and found a ruby

at the party tonight coming to mind as she studied her

Jan 6

Chapter 129

father, puzzled. “Dad, what’s

his head. “You’ll understand

he too wasn’t too pleased about the gossip he had