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.

struggling for words. “How can you be

Sienna replied without hesitation,

isn’t Fliraty, and

p

paused, her voice softening. “I’m truly grateful for everything you’ve done for helping me break free from my

to me. Let’s end this

20:55 Mon, Jan 6

Chapter 129

became too deeply attached, before the wounds

he didn’t want to give

on the door. The waiter had arrived with their

58%

to be a celebration of my successful performance? Let’s not talk about this anymore. Let’s

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

deep in thought, planning

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

tonight, after Sienna’s response, he felt compelled to bring it up sooner. Once he came clean to

confess to

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

got up, stepped out of the room, and made his way to the basement. The basement

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

locked the

he was about to go

find his parents, Evan

Mom, Dad,” he

had just returned from a gathering. It was perfect

as she looked him over. “You’re back early.” Then, her gaze landed on the box in

Cedric didn’t hide it, smiling as he answered, “It’s a

to tell them about Sienna anyway, so there

furrowed her brow, recognizing it instantly.

“Yes.” Cedric nodded.

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

out a frustrated laugh, the rumors she had heard at the party tonight coming to mind as she studied her son.

Mon, Jan 6

Chapter 129

at his father, puzzled. “Dad, what’s going

head. “You’ll

father, he too wasn’t too pleased