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.

fell silent for a moment, struggling for words. “How can you be so sure they’ll oppose it when they don’t even

Sienna replied without hesitation,

this isn’t Fliraty, and I’m not Larsa,” she

p

voice softening. “I’m truly grateful for everything you’ve done for helping me break

friend to me. Let’s end

20:55 Mon, Jan 6

Chapter 129

too deeply attached, before the wounds

he didn’t want to

there was a knock on the door. The waiter had arrived

58%

dinner supposed to be a celebration of my successful performance? Let’s not talk about this anymore. Let’s enjoy the meal, before itets

the words stuck in his throat. He knew that, at this point, there

home, Cedric was deep in thought, planning his next

relationship with Sienna from his family. He just didn’t think it was the right time to

felt compelled to bring it up sooner. Once he

confess to

thinking to himself, should I prepare a gift for the confession? What would

out of the room, and made his way to the basement. The basement housed a

rummaged through until he found a box. He opened it, took a

the box, he locked the safe and headed

to go upstairs, he heard someone

turned around to find his parents, Evan

Mom, Dad,”

from a gathering. It was perfect timing, as

expression a little strange as she looked him over. “You’re back early.” Then, her gaze landed on the box in his hand, and her eyes narrowed. “What’s

smiling as he answered, “It’s

so there was no need to keep it

furrowed her brow, recognizing it instantly. “Is this

“Yes.” Cedric nodded.

waiting for permission, Xenia grabbed the box, opened it, and found a

frustrated laugh, the rumors she had heard at the party tonight coming to mind as she studied her son. “Come here. We need to

Jan 6

Chapter 129

at his father, puzzled. “Dad, what’s

his head.

wasn’t too pleased about the gossip he