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.

planned to bake a blueberry cake in the afternoon for Joyce

to the notice she received from Lucas yesterday. Joyce would be admitted to the hospital in

reserved the ward and was simply waiting for

once she overcame this

*****

chance to sleep in on a weekend when a rapid knocking at the door jolted him awake. "Who

through the door. "Conner, I'm coming in." Without waiting for his response, she

his eyes barely open. "What's going on? It's so early. Aren't you

in the hospital, so it would make sense for Tania

frowned at the dim room and walked

his eyes.

little light, how could you bring yourself to hurt

are you

Conner was momentarily stunned,

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

onto his words. "Then explain to me exactly how

been kind to her."

Conner frowned. "I bought

"And?" Tania pressed.

silent, refusing to

just

the incident with Reyna, Tania had cornered

questioning, but he never divulged

wouldn't find out if you kept quiet?" Tania's lips

were sharp. "Conner, you better come

unlocked her phone and

the hospital lately? And why did you

of next month? Who are

for? Explain yourself!"

froze, instantly alert. He picked up the phone and saw his

family supermarket all

she could still easily access his accounts. Conner

the surgery date approaching, he no longer intended to keep it a secret. Seeing