Caught In His Embrace: A Second Chance Romance

Sienna and Rosie descended the stairs together at the break of dawn. Rosie was heading out early for work, while Sienna planned to visit the nearby market to buy Joyce her favorite crab ravioli.

Rosie had returned home late the previous night and was already rushing out again this morning. Sienna could not help but worry about her health.

"I'll lend you some money if you're in such a hurry to pay back Howard. You'll wear yourself out running yourself ragged like this," Sienna said.

"No," Rosie refused outright. "Borrowing money to pay off another debt? That's just robbing Peter to pay Paul." She smiled. "Don't worry, I'm fine. I stayed up late doing reports last night, and I have an early shift today..."

Rosie's voice suddenly trailed off as she spoke. She then tugged at Sienna's sleeve. "Sienna."

"What is it?" Sienna asked.

"Look over there." Rosie pointed to the sycamore tree at the corner. "Isn't that Josiah's car?"

Sienna looked up and nodded. "Yes," she said, furrowing her brows as she strode toward the sycamore tree.

Inside the car, Josiah saw Sienna approaching. He immediately pushed open the door and stepped out, standing stiffly with his hands at his sides.

"Sienna." Josiah smiled sheepishly.

"Why are you here?" Sienna frowned, her soothing voice laced with confusion and displeasure. "Don't tell me you were here all night."

Josiah gulped nervously as he nodded. "I was."

"You were?" Sienna was taken aback. "Why?"

"I was worried about you," Josiah hurriedly explained upon sensing Sienna's displeasure. "I was afraid Tania would bother you again."

"Why would you be worried about me?" Sienna remained unmoved as a faint smile graced her lips. "Have you forgotten your promise to me?"

Josiah felt his throat tightened. He shook his head with difficulty. "No, I haven't forgotten."

'I won't bother you again for any reason,' Josiah thought. That was the promise he had made to Sienna. "But Sienna, I'm not here to bother you," he explained.

"Mr. Flynn." A car pulled beside them, and Chester poked his head out the window, waving to Josiah.

"Chester and James?" Josiah was surprised. As the vehicle came to a stop, the two brothers, Chester and James, stepped out and approached Josiah. "What brings you two here?" he asked.

"Mr. Howard Flynn said you needed us," Chester explained. "Zach told us you were here, so we came."

"That Zach..." Josiah sounded hesitant. He had clearly ordered Zach to find him two reliable bodyguards.

"Mr. Flynn, we've worked together for a long time. Who could be more reliable than us when you need someone trustworthy?" Chester asked.

"Exactly," James said. "Mr. Flynn, just tell us what needs to be done."

Chester and James spoke one after another. Upon hearing their words, warmth surged through Josiah's chest. He hesitated for only a heartbeat before nodding. "All right."

Josiah then turned to look at Sienna. "Sienna, let Chester and James stay here for the next few days and keep watch, okay?"

"When Tania left, she made it clear she wouldn't let this go easily. I know you don't bother, but what about Joyce? Joyce is just a child. What if Tania tries something against her? Can you risk that?" Josiah added.

Sienna froze, momentarily speechless. She had to admit that Josiah had a point. There was nothing that Tania wouldn't stoop to. However, Joyce's safety shouldn't be compromised as she was about to undergo surgery.

"Let Chester and James stay and keep watch, okay?" Josiah bent down and coaxed Sienna in his low-pitched voice.

"I'm not the second son of the Flynn family anymore, and they aren't working for me. This has nothing to do with me. They're here because of Howard," Josiah explained.

Josiah was quick to distance himself from them, as if afraid Sienna would refuse. Under Josiah's expectant gaze, Sienna felt a weight settle in her heart. In the end, she nodded. "Okay." Logic told Sienna she couldn't refuse-not for Joyce's sake. "Great." Overjoyed, Josiah let out a sigh of relief. With Chester and James there, he could finally put his mind at ease. "Sienna..." Josiah's gaze fell upon Sienna, his smile fading slightly. His thin lips parted as he spoke. "I'll be going now." Sienna curled her lips into a faint smile. "Then... take care."

"Okay." Josiah turned and instructed Chester and James, "I'll leave this to you two."

"Rest assured, Mr. Flynn," Chester and James reassured Josiah.

Josiah was naturally at ease with Chester and James around. Only then did he walk to his car, open the door, and step inside. Then, he turned the vehicle around and slowly drove away.

"Well..." Rosie sighed softly as she watched the car disappear into the distance. Hooking her arm around Sienna's, she whispered, "He's quite thoughtful."

"Mm." Sienna nodded, not denying it. Her clear eyes remained unreadable. She thought, 'When Josiah cares for someone, he is indeed meticulous Isn't that exactly how he treated Yvette?" "Let's go. Joyce wants ravioli, and if we're late, they be gone," Sienna said.

"I need to hurry too, or I'll be late," Rosie agreed. Behind them, Chester and James exchanged glances. One stationed himself downstairs, while the other followed closely behind Sienna.

*****

At the entrance of the residential complex, Rosie and Sienna parted ways-one heading left, the other right. Sienna made her way to the market, while Rosie rushed to the bus stop.

Rosie arrived at the supermarket where she worked on a bus. She sprinted through the employee entrance with a half-eaten sandwich in hand.

A sleek Cayenne was parked by the roadside. Inside, Howard sat in the back

seat, watching Rosie's slender figure disappear into the building.

Howard's gaze remained unmoving. "She works here?" he asked.

"Yes," Hervey replied. "It's been a few days now."

"Doing what," Howard asked.

"A cargo hold administrator," Hervey answered.

'That must be exhausting,' Howard thought, frowning instantly.

Howard couldn't understand why Rosie was in such a rush to work-let alone why she had taken such a physically demanding job that didn't align with her expertise. She didn't have to endure this hardship and suffer this exhaustion.

As a designer, Rosie should be wearing elegant clothes, adorned with delicatenoveldrama

makeup, sitting comfortably in an office, and sketching design blueprints with

ease.

"Hervey," Howard suddenly said.

"Yes, Mr. Flynn," Hervey answered.

"Make arrangements..." Howard instructed.

"Yes, Mr. Flynn," Hervey replied.

*****

Two weeks passed in a flash. Everything remained peaceful during these two weeks and not a single incident occurred. With Chester and James standing guard at Sunshine Neighborhood, Tania hadn't stirred up any more trouble.

Every day, Chester would call to update Josiah. "Mr. Flynn, all is well," he said.

Josiah wondered, 'Am I simply overthinking it? Or maybe Conner had done or said something to silence Tania.'

The truth was, Conner had already come of age. He had made up his mind about

the surgery, so it was futile no matter how much Tania raged.

On the day of hospitalization, Josiah arrived in Sunshine Neighborhood early in

the morning. Sienna opened the door for him. "You're here. Come in."

"Okay," Josiah said.

In the past two weeks, Josiah had come to pick up Joyce a few times, but it was always from Tara. Sienna had stayed out of sight.

However, Joyce was getting admitted to the hospital today. There was no avoiding

it. Josiah was finally able to see Sienna. Now, even a single glimpse of her has become a luxury.

Josiah stepped into the living room. "Mr. Flynn," Joyce greeted. She was already up. The moment she heard movement, she dashed toward Josiah excitedly. "Mr. Flynn, you're here."

"Mm." Josiah picked up Joyce and planted a soft kiss on her chubby cheek. "You're going to the hospital today, Joyce. Of course, I have to come."

The doorbell rang again. Sienna ran to open the door. This time, it was Conner. "Sienna." Conner grinned brightly. "I'm here. Let's head to the hospital together."

The two smiled at each other. "Come on in. It's still early. Have something to eat first," Sienna invited.

"Of course. I came here on an empty stomach," Conner replied.