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Chapter 12
“What’s going on? Out of battery?” Josials frowned, irritation creeping into his voice as he pushed his phone aside. “Forget it I’m done.”
He figured that as an adult, Sienna could find her way back if she couldn’t wait for him. It had been a long night, and he was beaten. A shower and some rest were calling his name.
Just as he was about to set his phone down for good, he hesitated and muttered, “Ugh, what a hassle!”
After a moment’s thought, he dialed the landline for Silver Beach But no one picked up, and the call ended itself.
“What the hell?” Josiah’s face clouded over. ‘Could Sienna really not have gone home? It’s so late… Is she still out there waiting for me? What a fool!”
He tossed the phone aside, not caring about it anymore, and headed upstairs to the bathroom. But as the hot water streamed down on him, Sienna kept intruding on his thoughts.
It’s late, and she’s just a girl. Even though I don’t like her much, an the one who broke my promise, he thought.
“What a hassle!” Josiah muttered, turning off the water. He quickly dried off, got dressed, grabbed his car keys, and rushed downstairs.
As he got into the car, he called the nursing home. The nurse who answered was responsible for Miranda’s area. This is Josiah. Can you check if there’s a girl named Sienna still here?” Josiah asked.
“Sure, Mr. Flynn,” the nurse replied, not hanging up as she went to check. A moment later, she returned. “I’m sorry, but there’s no Sienna here. Just the medical staff and support personnel.
‘Not there? She has already left? Josiah thought, frustration seeping into his voice as he replied, “Alright, thanks.”
After ending the call, he got in his car and drove straight to Silver Beach. But the place was as dark as pitch, with no sign of her anywhere.
“Is she asleep?” He headed towards the servants‘ quarters at the back. As he tried to figure out which room she might be in, he stopped short–a light was on in the first–floor bathroom.
“Could it be Sienna?‘ he wondered and walked over. The bathroom door was slightly ajar, giving him a clear view inside.
Sienna was sitting on a stool, taking off her socks and examining her feet. She murmured with relief, “Thank goodness, no blisters.”
The years of hardship had toughened her skin, turning it into her natural armor. Two hours of walking was no big deal for her now. As she dipped her feet into the warm water, she yelpedOuch! That’s hot!”
Josiah frowned as he watched from the doorway.
Sienna didn’t pull her feet out. Instead, she hummed happily. “Mmm, it feels so nice
“Sienna Shaw!” Josiah bellowed, his voice so loud it almost made Sienna jump, her whole body trembling.
He stormed in, anger radiating off him as he clenched his jaw. “Where have you been out so late? Didn’t I tell you to wait for
Sienna was stunned. For a moment, she couldn’t help herself and burst into laughter out of anger.
Josiah paused and then got angrier. “Why are you laughing? If you’d just stayed put like I told you, I wouldn’t have had to go
Chapter 12
looking for you all night. And your phone was off too.
Sienna abruptly stopped laughing and nodded, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “You’re absolutely right. It was my fault. I shouldn’t have walked back by myself. I should’ve waited those two hours for you to pick me up. My apologies.
“Are you blaming me now?” Josiah shot back, looking at her with cold gaze. “Do you think you matter more than Yvette?
Yvette was Howard’s love, and Josiah was living for Howard and the Flynn family. But this was his own business, and Sienna was responsible for something else.
He sneered, “In this world, the person who is supposed to meet ette’s every need is you. Dorft forget, you owe-
Knowing he was about to drag up something from four years ago again, Sienna interrupted, “I’m not blaming you, seriously. I’m calm. I don’t know why you think I’m complaining”
She paused, clenching her fist silently. Then, she continued, “Sorry for wasting your time. It’s late, and you should get some
rest.
Without waiting for Josiah to reply, Sienna stood up, determined to change the hot water and keep soaking–she ignored him completely.
Josiah let out a faint snort. ‘Fine, no point in getting tangled up in arguments with her. At least she’s safe. But what a waste of my energy!
Just as he was about to leave, he stopped in his tracks. “Wait–did she just say she walked back?‘
He turned around abruptly, pointing at her feet. “Alright, you can drop the act now.”
Sienna stood there, holding the basin, looked puzzled.
Josiah snorted, looking down at her with disdain. “You walked all the way back? Are you soaking your feet right in front of me to prove it? Do you think I’d buy that?”
He sneered silently, Walked back? From the nursing home to Sirer Beach? That’s gotta be hours. Couldn’t wait for me or just grab a cab? It doesn’t add up.
‘Did she really think I’d fall for that? She was clearly underestimating me. It seems like she is just trying to tug at my heartstrings. What a desperate move. She clearly isn’t over me.”
“Sienna, your little game isn’t going to work on me. Just give it up Josiah shook his head, chuckling dismissively. Then he turned and walked away, not even glancing back.
“What the heck? Sienna stood frozen, feeling a lump in her throat, and it took a moment for her to catch her breath.
The next day, Sienna got a call from Henry. He told her that her outfit was ready and that she needed to come try it on. So. she headed over to Maze.
Henry took her to check out the stage. “Get familiar with it and prepare for your dance on performance day. It’s your first time on stage, and I have high hopes for you.”
“Okay, Mr. White,” Sienna said, focusing intently as she rehearsed on stage. She double–checked her dance style and music with him, determined to put in the hard work over the next few days to ensure everything was flawless.
By the time she finished her tasks, it was almost nightfall. She didn’t head back to Silver Beach because Miranda had suggested she should go visit Howard. With her schedule packed for tomorrow, tonight was her only shot.
Because of that, she even ‘splurged” on a bouquet of yellow calla lilies, which were known for symbolizing respect and
22:20 Sat, Jan 4 GA U
Chapter 12
admiration.
B
She had wanted to make the visit herself, something she hadn’t done before because she was concerned the Flynn family wouldn’t approve. After all, the Flynns, even Miranda, saw her as a “sinner”
When Sienna first joined the Flynn family, Howard was still in good health. Unlike Josiah, Howard was much more mild- mannered, reminiscent of the refined scholars you’d find in novels.
He was older than Josiah and naturally took on the role of an older brother to Sienna. He had treated her kindly; even though Sienna didn’t have a biological brother, she felt that if she did, he couldn’t have been better than Howard.
When Sienna arrived at the hospital, she found her way to the inpatient area Howard stayed by memory. But as she got there, she realized Howard wasn’t in the same room anymore.
Out of options, she called Miranda and asked, “Has Howard been moved to a different hosp
“Oh?” Miranda was curious. “Did you go alone? You didn’t go with Josiah?”
I can’t find him anywhere.”
“He’s…” Remembering that Miranda’s surgery was coming up, Sienna kept her promise. “He’s got a lot on his plate, so I’m handling this on my own.”
Miranda sighed. “Alright, then. Howard hasn’t switched hospitals. They just built a new wing, and it’s right behind the old
one.
It turned out Howard had been moved to the VIP building at the back. “Got it,” Sienna said, wrapping up the call, and then she headed straight there.
As Sienna pushed open the hospital room door, the smell of antiseptic hit her. She walked to the bedside and looked at the sleeping Howard, her emotions welling up.
She reached out and gently took his hand. Tears welled up immediately as she whispered, “Howard, it’s me, Sienna. I’ve
come to see you
