Caught In His Embrace: A Second Chance Romance

Honk! Honk! Honk!

A private car approached from the left but Sienna remained completely oblivious. "Sienna," Josiah shouted. His scalp went numb with fear, his eyes widening in horror.

Before Sienna could even react, a strong arm wrapped around her waist. Josiah lunged forward, pulling her back in a swift, urgent motion. They slammed against the courtyard wall, and in that instant, his palm cradled her back protectively.

"Watch where you're going," the driver inside the car cursed loudly before speeding off in frustration.

Josiah's heart was still hammering wildly as he gazed at Sienna, who was in his arms. The terror lingered in his chest, but his voice remained gentle as he reassured, "It's okay. You're fine now."

However, Sienna seemed entirely unaware of what had just happened. She broke free from Josiah's embrace and rushed toward the gate. "She went inside."

"Sienna." Josiah frowned, quickly retrieving the umbrella that had fallen when Sienna was knocked over. He rushed to catch up, holding the umbrella over her. "It's pouring, and you're getting soaked. Let's return to the hospital, okay?" He reached out to grab her arm.

"Let go of me." Sienna suddenly broke free, jerking her head up to glare at Josiah with a raging gaze.

"Does the rain even matter? Does it matter if I get drenched?"

Sienna tilted her face upward, the moisture streaming down her cheeks indistinguishable-was it rain or tears?

"I followed her all afternoon. She went to see Reyna, then to the supermarket... But why didn't she go looking for Conner? Why?"

Josiah was momentarily taken aback, and then understanding dawned. Sienna had been shadowing Tania, hoping she would lead her to Conner's whereabouts. "I'm not leaving!" Sienna's eyes were red-rimmed as she stubbornly shook her head, teetering on the brink of collapse. "I'll wait right here. She can't avoid seeing Conner forever. She just can't. I will wait. I have to."

"Sienna." Josiah's heart ached terribly. Balancing an umbrella in one hand, he reached out with the other, cupping the back of Sienna's head and pressing her into his embrace. "You don't have to do this. Leave Joyce's matter to me."

"Leave it to you?" Sienna froze, looking at Josiah with confusion.

"Yes." Josiah nodded. "Joyce is my daughter too. I feel the same way you do. Trust me, I'm already working on it-"

The sudden ringing of Josiah's phone interrupted him. His expression tensed-it could be news from Ethan. "Sienna, just a moment." He loosened his hold on Sienna, fishing his phone from his pocket.

They were standing close together, and Sienna caught a glimpse of the flashing name, "Yvette," on the screen. A barely audible scoff escaped her lips, and her gaze darkened.

Despair welled up inside Sienna as she fumed, "Josiah, we're not the same... We're not."

Josiah's expression hardened as he rejected the call. He lifted his hand, reaching out for Sienna. "Sienna..."

"Sienna," a voice called from a distance. Braving the rain, Cedric strode toward them with an umbrella in hand. "I'm sorry, I was late."

"Cedric..." Sienna was surprised to see Cedric.

Josiah's eyes darkened. His phone rang again, and this time, it was Ethan. "Speak," he said curtly.

"Mr. Evans, we have a lead," Ethan reported.

Josiah's brows furrowed at that.. "Where?"

"It looks like he's in Pinkine Town. We're still confirming the exact location," Ethan replied 'Pinkine Town?' Josiah thought, recognizing the name immediately. It was Fiona's hometown and the place where Sienna's mother was buried.

"Got it. I'm heading over now." Josiah ended the call and looked up -just in time to see Cedric holding Sienna's hand, handing his umbrella to Sienna, then shrugging off his jacket to drape it over her shoulders.

A suffocating heaviness settled in Josiah's chest. Taking a shallow breath, he schooled his features into impassivity and stepped forward. He jerked his chin at Cedric. "Take her back to the hospital."

"I'm not going back." Sienna shook her head stubbornly, repeating the same words. "I'm staying here."

Josiah faltered, helpless against Sienna's resolve.

"Sienna." Cedric looked at Sienna, his voice warm and patient.

"You've been out all afternoon. Don't you want to see Joyce? When I left, she hadn't eaten yet. She said she was waiting to eat with you."

Sienna's lips parted, unable to argue. "Let's go back, okay?" Cedric persuaded. After a moment of silence, Sienna finally nodded.

"Come on." Cedric held the umbrella up for Sienna and gently supported her arm as they turned to leave. Josiah frowned while trailing behind them.

This residential complex did not allow outside vehicles in, so their cars were parked outside the main gate.

The rain showed no sign of letting up. Cedric tilted the umbrella he held entirely toward Sienna, shielding her from the downpour while his shoulder and back were quickly soaked.

Josiah watched in silence, swallowing the turmoil rolling through him, then wordlessly pulled open his car door and got in.

In the Pagani, Cedric glanced in the rearview mirror and frowned in confusion. "Where is Josiah going? Isn't he going to the hospital with us?"

Upon hearing that, Sienna glanced at the rearview mirror and saw Josiah's black Bentley making a U-turn, heading in the opposite direction.

Sienna withdrew her gaze and leaned back in her seat, shaking her head. "I don't know." However, she already had the answer in mind.

She thought, 'He's going to meet Yvette, isn't he?' It was only natural for Josiah to meet Yvette as they were lovers.

However, it was inappropriate at times like this. Sienna had believed that no matter what stood between them, Josiah genuinely loved Joyce, at the very least.

Unfortunately, it turned out that even the bond of blood and family was no match for the love of Josiah's life.

Sienna closed her eyes and rubbed her temple, pondering, 'The lead on Tania had gone cold. What next?' "Sienna Cedric glanced at Sienna and spoke again after a brief hesitation. "On my way here, baskednoveldrama

some people for help."

Sienna's eyes flew open. She sat up straight, turning sharply toward Cedric.

"What do you mean?"

Cedric explained calmly, "Conner is an adult, so the police can't open a case. But I've reached out to

everyone could, including Yosef and the Compton family. They do what they can. Hopefully, we hear something soon."

Sienna stared at Cedric, her eyes fixed and unblinking. Her voice trembled violently as she spoke. "Wil. will this work?" Jeiacrity was a vast city-it wouldn't be easy finding someone who had been deliberately hidden away.

"We have to try." Cedric gestured toward Sienna's swollen, tear- streaked eyes. "We're almost at the hospital. Wipe your tears.

Joyce is so smart-don't let her see that her mom has been crying, all right?"

"Mm." Sienna nodded stiffly. Even if this was a hopeless search, at least there was still hope.

***

Inside the Bentley, Josiah picked up his phone and returned Yvette's call. "Hello? Yvette."

"What were you so busy with? You couldn't even pick up my call? I went for my follow-up checkup, and you weren't there with me,"

Yvette whined.

"Yvette..." Josiah began.

"Forget it, I won't hold it against you." Yvette chuckled. "Are you done with work now? When will you be back tonight? I made your favorite fish stew-" "Yvette," Josiah interrupted with a frown. "I'm sorry, something came up. I won't be back for a few days. Take care of yourself. If anything comes up, contact Zach." "What's keeping you so busy?" Yvette asked.

"It's nothing. I have to go now." Just as Josiah hung up, Ethan sent over a location pin. He hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should tell Sienna. Soon, he dismissed the thought.

Josiah thought, 'Forget it. I'll tell Sienna when Conner is found.

She's already stretched too thin. If this turned out to be a false lead, it would only deal her another crushing blow.' He then pressed on the gas pedal and sped off.