Caught In His Embrace: A Second Chance Romance

Chapter 411

Early in the morning, Sienna rose to pack Joyce's bag for the day ahead. The previous night, Tara had received a call from Josiah, informing her that he would be coming to pick up Joyce today.

Howard had likely informed Joyce about her outing with Josiah. Joyce didn't need Sienna to wake her up. She got up on her own.

She trailed behind Sienna like a little shadow. "Mommy, when is Mr. Flynn coming?"

Sienna smiled and pointed to the clock on the wall. "He will be here at eight o'clock."

Five minutes to eight, the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it," Joyce said. She eagerly ran to open the door and then burst into laughter. "It's Mr. Flynn."

"Good morning, Joyce." Josiah bent down, extended his arms to lift her, and glanced up as Sienna approached with a bag.

Sienna maintained a calm expression as she handed him the bag. "These are Joyce's: her water bottle, wet wipes... I've also included a note detailing what she likes to eat, what she doesn't, and some of her little habits."

"All right." Josiah took the bag, tucked it under his arm, and nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."

As he spoke, he observed her closely. She appeared to be in good spirits and had been doing well these past few days.

Sienna didn't say anything more and gently caressed Joyce's little face. "Have fun, Joyce."

Joyce lay on Josiah's shoulder and waved her hand. "Bye, Mommy."

"Behave and listen to Mr. Flynn, all right?" Sienna saw them out, waving with a smile. "Be careful and have fun!"

"Okay!" Joyce beamed.

As Josiah held Joyce, bitterness welled up in his heart.

Sienna didn't avoid him at all. She was open and generous. However, everything she said and did was for Joyce.

None of her words were meant for him. He could still see her, but he was locked out of her world. It was a proximity that felt both near and infinitely distant.

Back in the apartment, after seeing Josiah and Joyce off, Sienna headed to the balcony, rolled up her sleeves, and got ready to do the laundry.

bake a blueberry cake in the afternoon for Joyce to enjoy when

in a good mood. Perhaps it was this positivity that led to the notice

the ward and was simply waiting for

believed that once she overcame this hurdle, only good things would remain in

*****

on a weekend when a rapid knocking at

voice echoed through the door. "Conner, I'm

bed, still groggy with his eyes barely open. "What's going on? It's so early. Aren't you supposed to be heading to

still in the hospital, so it would make

nurses to take care of her at the hospital," Tania replied. She frowned at the

Conner shielded his eyes. "Mom, it's too

a little light, how could you bring yourself to hurt

you

Conner was momentarily stunned,

realized she was referring to Sienna. His drowsiness faded slightly. "Mom, Sienna is Aunt Tiffany's daughter. She's both your stepdaughter and your niece. How can

Tania latched onto his words. "Then

been kind to her."

Conner frowned. "I bought

"And?" Tania pressed.

remained silent, refusing to

sneered. "You're just avoiding the

Reyna, Tania had cornered

but he

I wouldn't find out if you kept

were sharp. "Conner, you

unlocked her phone

have you been spending so much time at the hospital lately? And

of next month? Who

for? Explain yourself!"

alert. He picked up the phone and

family supermarket all these years, giving her control over the family's

could still easily access

surgery date approaching, he no longer intended to keep