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.

to bake a blueberry cake in the afternoon for

positivity that led to the notice she received from

was simply waiting for

that once she overcame

*****

the Fischer residence, Conner was relishing the rare chance to sleep in on a weekend when a rapid knocking at the door

Conner!" His mother Tania's voice echoed through the door. "Conner, I'm coming in." Without waiting for his response, she

mumbled as he turned over and sat up in bed, still groggy with his eyes barely open. "What's going on? It's

the hospital, so it would make

replied. She frowned at the dim room

eyes. "Mom, it's

scoffed. "If you can't handle a little light,

are you

Conner was momentarily stunned,

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

words. "Then explain to me

been kind to her."

Conner frowned. "I bought

"And?" Tania pressed.

remained silent, refusing

just avoiding

since the incident with Reyna, Tania had cornered

but he

wouldn't find out if you kept

were sharp. "Conner,

her phone and

lately? And why did

month?

for? Explain yourself!"

picked up the phone and saw his recent bank

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

him, she could still easily

Sienna, and with the surgery date approaching, he no longer intended to keep