Caught In His Embrace: A Second Chance Romance

Chapter 396 Sienna frowned but agreed, "Alright." She got up and followed behind Josiah, one after the other, out of the ward.

Josiah glanced at his watch and said, "It's almost noon. Perfect timing for lunch. How about Lucky Dining?" Sienna glanced at him and said, "Okay." They arrived at Lucky Dining and were shown to a private room.

"What do you want to eat?" Josiah asked as he handed her the menu.

Sienna took a sip of water and waved her hand dismissively, saying, "Anything is fine." "Alright, I'll order," Josiah said. He called the waiter over and rattled off a list of dishes. "We'll start with these. Remember, no cilantro, onion, ginger, or garlic," he added.

"Yes, Mr. Flynn," the waiter replied.

Sienna frowned slightly. He had ordered all her favorites, and made sure to exclude everything she disliked. She set her water down and looked up at him.

"Didn't you have something to say? Speak," Siennna demanded.

Josiah smiled faintly and said, "Let's eat first. We can talk later." And true to his word, they ate first. After the dishes arrived, Josiah only cared about serving her food. "This venison-you love it," he said.

"Thank you," Sienna said and looked at the growing pile of food in her bowl. She lowered her head and ate slowly.

Josiah watched quietly and murmured, "You have a good appetite." When she was almost done eating, he served her another bowl of soup. "It's a little hot. Drink it slowly," he said. "Okay," Sienna nodded and took small sips.

"Sienna," Josiah called out.

"Hmm?" She responded. She looked up and wondered, 'Is he finally going to say it?' Josiah blinked and said with a faint smile, "Although I've left the Flynn family, the card I gave you can still be used. It won't be affected." He was referring to the supplementary card he had given her for Joyce's support expenses. "Okay," Sienna responded with a nod.

Josiah's heart ached with bitterness. He forced a smile and said, "In the future, remember to eat well. If you want to lose weight, eat a healthy diet. Don't starve yourself." Sienna paused, her eyes locking onto his.

"If you encounter any problems you can't solve on your own, don't shoulder them alone. Go to Howard. He will help you," Josiah continued.

Sienna's almond eyes widened, filled with confusion. 'Why is he saying this?' she wondered.

Josiah took a deep breath and said, "I know everything. Conner is your brother." Sienna's eyes widened. 'How did he know? Did Conner tell him?' she thought. Josiah turned his face away. When he looked back at her, his eyes were red. "Conner is right. I don't deserve you. It's been ten years, and I know nothing about you. What right do I have to keep clinging to you?" Josiah continued.

At that moment, Sienna was speechless.

Josiah glanced at her empty bowl and said, "Finished your soup? I'll get you another" He reached out, but Sienna stopped him.

"Sienna," he said.

Sienna looked at him gentle, indifferent expression and said with a slight smile, "No need. I'm full." At that moment, she finally understood. She asked, "So this is a farewell meal?" Josiah shut his eyes tightly, his heart twisting in pain. He nodded and said with difficulty, "Yes. This is the last time. After today, once you walk out that door, I won't bother you again." Sienna smiled faintly and said, "Oh, you don't have to make it so tic. It's just a matter of saying it." Josiah shook his head and said, "I just wanted to take a good look at you one last time." "Mm," Sienna nodded, dabbed her mouth with a napkin, and looked directly at him. She said, "Have you seen enough? I'm full." She was implying she was ready to leave.

Josiah choked on his words, yet had no choice but to nod. "I-I've seen enough." Sienna curved her lips slightly, picked up her bag, and stood up. She said, "Mm, well then, I'm leaving." Josiah replied, "Alright." He had nothing else to say.

Sienna slung her bag over her shoulder and offered him a grin. "I'm off," she said, taking a step, then another. She sounded like she didn't want to see him again.

But before she could reach the door, a sturdy figure pressed against her back. Sienna stiffened. It was Josiah. From behind, he wrapped his arms around her tightly. Sienna stood frozen, unable to move.

"Sienna," Josiah said and held her tightly, his cheek resting on her shoulder. His voice was hoarse, almost unrecognizable. He continged, "I forgot to tell you, Km sorry, It tookten years to fall for you. It's too late, I'm sorry.

Sienna remained expressionless as she slowly spoke, "There's nothing to be sorry for. I've already said, you can't force feelings like that. I understand." Swords were too shameless to say to her face, so Josiah whispered them from behind. "You used to lovevery much. If-just if-if I hadn't sent you to Fliraty, you would still lovenow, wouldn't you?" Sienna raised an eyebrow and said in an amused tone, "If? There's no point in hypotheticals about the past." But then he heard her say, "But I think I probably would." She paused before continuing, "If we had always been together, until now, I suppose I would still love you." She was answering his hypothetical with another hypothetical. With that, she gently pried Josiah's arms away and said, "I'm leaving." As Josiah watched Sienna pull open the door and walk out, he felt like a marionette with its strings cut. He lost his balance, stumbling backward until he landed heavily in a chair.

'She said she would still love me. But, there is no "if," he thought.

Outside, Sienna, carrying her bag, walked all the way to the gate before slowing down. Her thoughts were a chaotic mess, crashing around in her mind, nearly overwhelming her. Suddenly, Sienna raised her hand to cover her eyes, murmuring, "If only we had stayed together until now... always together, until now." Her palm gradually becdamp. Tears seeped through her fingers. "But, there is no 'if," she continued.

***** Two days later, Rosie underwent surgery. Sienna made arrangements at hand arrived at the hospital before dawn to help Rosie with the pre-surgery preparations.

Howard was already there when she arrived, sitting on the couch with his usual silence. He gave a slight nod when he saw Sienna.

"Howard," Sienna greeted. Sienna didn't say much and immediately went to accompany Rosie.

Rosie took her hand and whispered, "Sienna, you cjust in time. I need to ask you a favor." "What is it?" Sienna asked.

Rosie looked in Howard's direction and said, "Well, Mr. Flynn has helpedso much, and my eyes will be healed soon. I want to give him a gift soon to show my gratitude. Do you know what he likes?" "A gift for Howard?" Sienna said.

Sienna thought, 'You could give him

a blade of grass, and he'd still like it." She smiled and said, "Don't worry about expensive things Howard doesn't lack anything. Just a token of appreciation will do. The more heartfelt, the better." "A token of appreciation? Letthink," Rosie said and frowned in thought.

"Stop thinking for now. Focus on your surgery," Sienna said.

"Oh, okay," Rosie replied.

Meanwhile, in a hotel suite in Mousea House, Josiah was awakened by the vibration of his phone. Hungover, his head throbbed as he groggily answered the call.