Caught In His Embrace: A Second Chance Romance

Chapter 104

Sienna was being so serious. Cedric couldn’t help but quietly checkle to himself. She had seen right through him, and it was clear she wasn’t going to give him any chance at all.

“Don’t take it so seriously,” he said quickly, trying to brush it off. I told you that it was all fake. Not real”

Sienna didn’t argue, just shook her head. “I don’t want to get you involved. I’ll handle things with Josiah myself”

She waved him off. “It’s getting late. You should go. I’m going back.”

信

With that, she turned and jogged down the alley.

“Hey…” Cedric sighed heavily, mumbling to himself. “How did you know that to me, you’re the best girl in the world?”

Half an hour later, after a quick shower, Sienna’s phone was buzzing non–stop on the table.

She hurried over, picked it up, and saw it was Cedric calling.

“Hey?” She answered, confused. “What’s up?”

“Sienna” Cedric’s voice was urgent on the other end. Tm at the apartment entrance. I don’t know which building you’re in Get down here, quick.”

“What’s going on?” she asked, still confused.

“Don’t ask so many questions, just hurry.” And he hung up.

Sienna stood there holding the phone, frowning. Isn’t he supposed to have left already? Why is he asking me to meet him at the apartment entrance? she wondered. “What’s so important that he can’t talk about it on the phone?”

She quickly grabbed the towel off her head, wiped it a few times, took her phone and keys, locked the door, and rushed downstairs.

Once she was outside, she looked around, but couldn’t see Cedric “Where are you?” she muttered.

“Hey, Sienna, someone greeted..

At the sound of her name, Sienna’s shoulders tensed. She looked up and saw Josiah. She didn’t expect that he had actually followed her here.

Without wasting a second, she turned and ran.

“Siennal” But this time, Josiah was faster.

His long legs easily blocked her path. He remembered how she had reacted so aggressively in the hospital, so he just stopped her, not touching her,

To reassure her, he raised his hands slightly and lowered his gaze “I won’t touch you, but why are you running?”

Josjah truly didn’t understand. They had been fine earlier when they were together at the hospital, watching over Howard.

“Can you

tell

me what’s going on?” he asked, his voice softer now.

Sienna’s throat went dry. She licked her lips. 1. There’s no reason. I’m just… tired. I want to go home and rest.”

“That’s it!” Josiali didn’t get it. “Why not just say it directly to mer

Chapter 101

At this point, he was doing his best to be understanding, practically giving her whatever she wanted.

“Yes, that’s the reason. Sienna nodded, but her face looked pale

“Sienna?” Josiali’s expression changed. He reached out to her. “What’s wrong? You don’t look well Why is your face so pale?”

back a couple of paces.

“Don’t touch me! Sienna snapped, stepping

“Sienna?” Josiah’s brows furrowed, his expression darkening. “What’s really going on?”

“Hi, Siennal Just then, Cedric’s voice rang out, and Sienna felt a wave of relief wash over her like a lifeline being thrown her

way.

“Cedric!” She raised her arm, waving, as though she had just found her savior. “I’m here!”

“I know.” Cedric smiled and walked over to her, standing by her side.

He finally seemed to notice Josiah. “Oh, hey, Josiah. You’re here too. I didn’t recognize you earlier, only saw your back.” Josiah scoffed silently, rolling his eyes. “This guy’s putting on a show. What’s he trying to pull?‘ he wondered.

He raised a fand, gesturing for Cedric to move aside. “Step aside I need to talk to Sienna.”

Immediately, Cedric felt the tension in Sienna’s body, her entire frame stiffening.

“Josiah,” Cedric said, no longer smiling, his tone suddenly serious. “Sorry, I can’t move. If you need to talk to Sienna, go alicad.”

He turned to Sienna. “Sienna is my girlfriend. There are no secrets between us.”

Sienna’s eyes widened slightly, her lips parting. She instinctively opened her mouth to argue.

But then, Cedric subtly shook his head, a slow, gentle motion. Sienna understood immediately. If she argued now, Josiah would never let it go.

But should I just go along with Cedric’s words? It doesn’t feel fair to Cedric at all, she wondered. Sienna clenched her hands, her heart tort

“Humph.” Josiah scoffed quietly, glancing at Sienna, then looking at Cedric with a mocking gleam in his eyes.

“So, you’re saying she’s your girlfriend? Too bad, Sienna doesn’t agree,” he said, his voice laced with sarcasm.

He reached out, trying to pull Sienna toward him. The sight of them standing together made him sick to his stomach.

“Sienna, come here,” said Josiah.

“I am.” Sienna quickly took a step back, her chin raised defiantly

“I am Cedric’s girlfriend,” she repeated.

Suddenly, everything went silent. It was as if the air itself had frozen.

A smile tugged at Josiah’s lips, but it didn’t reach his eyes. His voice was light, but there was a biting coldness in it. “What are you talking about?”

His tone was calm but carried an undeniable pressure. “Stop making things up.”

Sienna stared into his eyes, unflinching, her voice steady, “I’m not making anything up. This is the truth,”

20:45 Mon, Jan 6

Chapter 101

Cedric lowered his gaze, looking at her with a look of encouragement.

At this point, there was no turning back. Sienna took a deep breath, raised her arm, and took hold of Cedric’s hand. She slid her fingers between his, interlocking them tightly..

Even that wasn’t enough. She held his hand and raised it, her clear, unwavering gaze fixed on Josiah. “Do you see this?”

“That’s right.” Cedric smiled and tightened his grip on her hand Josiah, Sienna and I love each other. We hope you’ll understand and support us.”

The sight of it felt like a knife to Josiah’s chest. She wouldn’t let him touch her, but she was holtling Cedric’s hand like this.

Josiah suddenly closed his eyes as if trying to block out the pain At that moment, his heart twisted, aching and numb. ‘How’s this possible? Why do I feel this way?‘ he wondered.

When he opened his eyes again, he locked them on Sienna, his expression so torn it was impossible to tell if he was angry or smiling.

‘How has she done this? After everything, I have been pushing him all this time, and now she is with Cedric? he thought.

“Sienna!” Josiah gritted his teeth, trying to suppress his fury. His voice was low but intense. “Come here, right now, If you do, Tll pretend like you didn’t say any of this.”

He reached out his long, slender hand toward her.

Sienna froze, her breath caught in her throat.

“Josiah!” At just the right moment, Cedric stepped in front of Sienna, shielding her from Josiah’s seething gaze.

“Don’t make things hard for Sienna.”

“Get out of my way.” Josiah snapped. “Don’t think just because you’re Yosef’s cousin, I won’t do something to you.”

Josiah raised his hands and grabbed Cedric’s collar, pulling him close.

“Josiah Cedric met his gaze with calm resolve, showing no fear. “Just because I respect you doesn’t mean you can bully my girlfriend.”

The two stood face to face, tension thick in the air, each of them ready for a fight.