Caught In His Embrace: A Second Chance Romance

Chapter 411 Early in the morning, Sienna rose to pack Joyce's bag for the day ahead. The previous night, Tara had received a call from Josiah, informing her that he would be coming to pick up Joyce today.

Howard had likely informed Joyce about her outing with Josiah. Joyce didn't need Sienna to wake her up. She got up on her own.

She trailed behind Sienna like a little shadow. "Mommy, when is Mr. Flynn coming?" Sienna smiled and pointed to the clock on the wall. "He will be here at eight o'clock." Five minutes to eight, the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it," Joyce said. She eagerly ran to open the door and then burst into laughter. "It's Mr. Flynn." "Good morning, Joyce." Josiah bent down, extended his arms to lift her, and glanced up as Sienna approached with a bag.

Sienna maintained a calm expression as she handed him the bag. "These are Joyce's: her water bottle, wet wipes... I've also included a note detailing what she likes to eat, what she doesn't, and sof her little habits." "All right." Josiah took the bag, tucked it under his arm, and nodded. "I'll keep that in mind." As he spoke, he observed her closely. She appeared to be in good spirits and had been doing well these past few days.

Sienna didn't say anything more and gently caressed Joyce's little face. "Have fun, Joyce." Joyce lay on Josiah's shoulder and waved her hand. "Bye, Mommy." "Behave and listen to Mr. Flynn, all right?" Sienna saw them out, waving with a smile. "Be careful and have fun!" "Okay!" Joyce beamed.

As Josiah held Joyce, bitterness welled up in his heart.

Sienna didn't avoid him at all. She was open and generous. However, everything she said and did was for Joyce.

None of her words were meant for him. He could still see her, but he was locked out of her world. It was a proximity that felt both near and infinitely distant.

Back in the apartment, after seeing Josiah and Joyce off, Sienna headed to the balcony, rolled up her sleeves, and got ready to do the laundry.

She planned to bake a blueberry cake in the afternoon for Joyce to enjoy when she returned in the evening. Lately, she had been in a good mood. Perhaps it was this positivity that led to the notice she received from Lucas yesterday. Joyce would be admitted to the hospital in two weeks.

Conner had already reserved the ward and was simply waiting for the day to arrive.

The worst was nearly over. Sienna believed that once she overcthis hurdle, only good things would remain in her life.

***** At the Fischer residence, Conner was relishing the rare chance to sleep in on a weekend when a rapid knocking at the door jolted him awake. "Who is it?" "Conner, Conner!" His mother Tania's voice echoed through the door. "Conner, I'm coming in." Without waiting for his response, she pushed the door open.

"Mom?" Conner mumbled as he turned over and sat up in bed, still groggy with his eyes barely open. "What's going on? It's so early. Aren't you supposed to be heading to the hospital?" Reyna was still in the hospital, so it would make sense for Tania to have headed there by now.

"Reyna has nurses to take care of her at the hospital," Tania replied. She frowned at the dim room and walked over to open the curtains. Sunlight streamed in.

"Jeez!" Conner shielded his eyes. "Mom, it's too bright..." "Too bright?" Tania scoffed. "If you can't handle a little light, how could you bring yourself to hurtlike this?" "What are you talking about?" Conner was momentarily stunned, then realized she was referring to Sienna. His drowsiness faded slightly. "Mom, Sienna is Aunt Tiffany's daughter. She's both your stepdaughter and your niece. How can you be so unkind to her?" "Oh really?" Tania latched onto his words. "Then explain toexactly how you've been kind to her." "You already know." Conner frowned. "I bought her a car..." "And?" Tania pressed.

Conner remained silent, refusing to speak.

Tania sneered. "You're just avoiding the conversation." Ever since the incident with Reyna, Tania had cornered Conner numerous times for questioning, but he never divulged anything.

"Do you think I wouldn't find out if you kept quiet?" Tania's lips curled into a smirk.

Her eyes were sharp. "Conner, you better cclean." She unlocked her phone and tossed it at him. "Why have you been spending so much tat the hospital lately? And why did you reserve two VIP wards in the hematology department for the middle of next month? Who are they for? Explain yourself!" Conner froze, instantly alert. He picked up the phone and saw his recent bank statements.

Tania had been managing the Fischer family supermarket all these years, giving her control over the family's finances.

Even though she had been gradually transferring control to him, she could still easily access his accounts. Conner knew he couldn't hide this.

He had already informed Sienna, and with the surgery date approaching, he no longer intended to keep it a secret. Seeing the bank statements, Conner felt a sense of calm instead of panic.

He nodded and replied, "The wards are for me."

"What?" Tania was taken aback, struggling to believe it. "That's o.m ridiculous ematologou need to Why would you need to stay in the hematology department when you're perfectly fine?" Conner sighed. "Mom, I'm fine, but..." "It's Sienna, isn't it?" There was a flicker in Tania's eyes. "What's wrong with her? Is she dying?" "No." Conner shook his head with a frown. "It's Sienna's daughter, my niece, Joyce."

"Her daughter..." Tania was stunned.

She suddenly recalled that Reyna had mentioned Siennal having a daughter. "Her daughter is ill, with a blood disease." "Yes." Conner nodded.

He was about to explain when Tania burst into laughter. "Her daughteris sick and d dying. What does it have to do with you? Why would you admit yourself to the hospital?" "Mom!" Conner shouted.

Tania wasn't completely unaware. Most people could guess what a blood disease meant. It was just unbelievable.

"Connor, don't tellher daughter needs a bone marrow transplant or something, and you're going to donate to her." After a brief moment of silence, Conner nodded with determination. "Yes, that's exactly what I'm going to do." "No..." Tania's jaw dropped in shock. She looked Conner up and down, unsure of what to say.

"Conner, have you gone mad from studying? What does Sienna's daughter's life or death have to do with you? Why would you donate your bone marrow to her?" Conner felt a pang in his heart, despite anticipating Tania's reaction.

"Mom, how can you say it has nothing to do with me? Sienna is my sister and Joyce is my niece. We're family. We share the closest bond in the world."