Caught In His Embrace: A Second Chance Romance

Chapter 400 Yosef glanced at Cedric. "Since you just landed, take a moment to catch your breath," he suggested while pouring the latter a glass of water.

Cedric accepted the glass and felt better after quenching his thirst.

"Why are you here if you're not tired?" Yosef joked, "You've been in Lockagie for ages. Why not head home?" "I'm in no hurry." Cedric frowned and shook his head. "My mom will nagonce I return." It was a no-brainer that she would pester Cedric about going on blind dates.

Yosef chuckled. "Don't worry, since you fled to Lockagie for two months, Aunt Xenia grew worried you might never return. For now, she won't make you go on blind dates." "I hope so." Cedric raised an eyebrow. He put down the glass and stood up. "I'm going to the restroom." Josiah lifted his hand, extinguishing the cigarette in the ashtray. "I'm going out for sair," he explained. When Cedric emerged from the restroom, he bumped into Josiah at the end of the hallway. "Josiah," Cedric greeted.

"Hello," Josiah replied, hands in his pockets. He shifted sideways and glanced at Cedric hesitatingly as if he wanted to say something.

"Josiah, do you have something to say?" Cedric asked as he had a hunch.

"Yes." Josiah nodded, his gaze fixed intently on Cedric. Josiah's lips parted slightly. "Do you still have feelings for Sienna?" he asked solemnly.

Cedric was taken aback. 'Why would Josiah ask such a question?' he thought in bewilderment.

When Cedric met Josiah's gaze, he could feel the weight of his suffocating presence.

Yet, Cedric did not back down. Cedric clenched his fists and nodded resolutely. "Yes, I still do." The hallway fell silent. For a long moment, Josiah did not reply.

Finally, he took a deep breath. "Sienna and I have broken up," Josiah replied firmly.

Cedric was stunned, unable to process Josiah's answer. "I thought you both..." he trailed off.

Although he knew they had broken up, Cedric assumed they'd stay connected for Joyce's sake.

"No." Josiah shook his head, his gaze darkening with every word. "What I mean is that Joyce found a bone marrow match. Do you understand what that entails?" Cedric jolted in shock. 'Since Joyce has a bone marrow match, the bond between Sienna and Josiah no longer exists!' he thought with wide eyes.

The realization that Sienna was no longer bound to Josiah because of Joyce sent Cedric's heartbeat and breathing racing.

Josiah witnessed Cedric's excitement as clearly. 'I can't believe he's this happy,' Josiah mused.

"It is exactly as you're thinking." Josiah nodded. Pursing his lips, he explained, "Sienna and I have talked it over. We're done." Once again, Cedric was stunned. 'I can't believe this is true, let alone coming from Josiah himself!' he wondered in disbelief.

"It's the truth." Josiah nodded. Frankly, he shared Cedric's shock. Had Cedric shown the slightest hesitation when Josiah posed the question, the latter would have kept everything under wraps.

'In the past, I forced Sienna to give up on Cedric for me. This is a debt that I'm repaying to her,' Josiah thought.

A bitter feeling swelled within Josiah as he kept his eyes on Cedric.

"This is your chance," Josiah uttered flatly.

Cedric felt as if his heart would leap out of his chest at any moment.

Cedric abruptly turned, taking a few steps before glancing back. "Thank you, Josiah." No one could tell if Cedric's gratitude was meant for himself or Sienna. With that, Cedric took off. No explanation was needed to convey where he was headed.

Josiah remained rooted in the spot. "Please ensure you take good care of her," he whispered.

'Hopefully, Cedric can give Sienna what I couldn't. Sienna has feelings for him. She'll find happiness with Cedric and get their happy ending Josiah thought. He closed his eyes as a forlorn look crossed his face.

Back in Sunshine Neighborhood, Joyce had fallen asleep while Sienna just completed her workout. Covered in sweat, Sienna prepared to shower and rest.

Suddenly, her phone beeped with a message: [Are you asleep?] Surprisingly, it was Cedric, who she hadn't heard from in ages. According to Yosef, he had left for Lockagie. Typing, Sienna replied: [Not yet.] Cedric: [Can you cdown? I'm afraid it would be too much of a disturbance if I cup. Joyce is probably asleep.] Sienna's heart skipped a beat. 'Does this mean that he's back in Jeiacrity and currently downstairs?' she mused. Immediately, Sienna walked to the window and noticed Cedric leaning against his car. As if sensing her gaze, he looked up with a smile and waved.

Frowning, Sienna replied: [I'll cdown now.] Cedric: [Okay, I'll wait for you.] Putting away her phone, Sienna massaged her temple, then grabbed her keys and headed down.

Cedric greeted her with a bright smile when she stepped out of the building. "Sienna, long tno see." "It's been a while. You seem happy," Sienna replied, slightly confused.

"Yes, I know everything," Cedric replied, not attempting to conceal the joy overflowing from him.

Puzzled, Sienna asked, "Know what?" "Joyce found a compatible bone marrow donor, and you and Josiah ended things," Cedric replied, holding back a grin.

Realization dawned upon Sienna. 'How did he find out?' she wondered.

"Sienna." Cedric took a deep breath to muster his courage. "I can court you now, right?" 'She's single again and free from others,' he reasoned.

Sienna hesitated. Theoretically, he was right. "But Cedric, my situation" she began. After all, they had tried before, but his family never accepted their relationship. It left her feeling inadequate for Cedric "Don't worry, I'll convince my parents." Hesitantly, Cedric placed his hand on her shoulder.

"I'm not saying we should rush into anything. I just wanted you to know that my feelings never changed. I've never always been waiting for the right moment with you." Cedric smiled, gently patting her head. "Now that you're free, why not givea chance?" Shocked, Sienna was speechless.

M "That's all I wanted to say." Cedric stepped back. "I'll get going now," he said, grinning from ear to ear. Waving, Cedric retreated to his car before turning around. "Good night." Once inside, Cedric sped off. Dumfounded, it took Sienna several moments before she regained her senses.

Half an hour later, Cedric rushed to the Brawne residence and headed upstairs to his parent's room. "Dad, Mom, I'm home." "Oh!" Xenia was overjoyed to hear Cedric's voice. "Cedric, you're back. When did you get home? Cin, quick!" she exclaimed.

Suppressing his excitement, Cedric entered the room. "Mom, Dad, we need to talk, I'll settle down to talk 1 down in Jeiacrity if we can cto an agreement," Cedric announced.