Chapter 13

Howard lay in bed, quiet and still. Years had passed, and he looked much the same, as if merely caught in a long, deep sleep. Yet, whenever Sienna remembered him vibrant and alive, she struggled to reconcile it with his current state. “They say good people receive their just rewards,” she thought, a bitter taste in her mouth. “Howard was one of the good ones, but here he is, trapped in a coma for years. And likely, he’ll never wake up.”

Just then, the bathroom door opened, and the caregiver emerged with a basin. Noticing Sienna’s red eyes, he politely nodded, “Hello.”

“Hi,” Sienna replied. Spotting the basin, she asked, “Are you wiping his face?”

“No, I’m about to shave him,” the caregiver answered.

Sienna nodded. Howard’s stubble had grown too long, giving his face a bluish tinge. She reached out, saying, “Let me do it. I can shave him.” When Howard had first been injured, she’d been his primary caregiver; Miranda had been heartbroken and unwell, Josiah extremely busy, and Yvette expecting a baby—Sienna had been the only one available. The caregivers usually didn't object if family members preferred to assist. He placed the basin on the bedside table and handed her a towel. “Here you go.”

“Thank you.” Sienna wet the towel, gently warming Howard’s cheeks and chin—he had a full beard. She applied shaving cream, picked up the razor, and began to shave him carefully.

So engrossed was she that she didn’t notice Yvette enter. Yvette, her ankle twisted, walked slowly. Reaching the bedside, she looked at Sienna in surprise. “Sienna, is that you?”

She frowned. “Why are you here? What are you doing?”

Sienna glanced up. “I’m here to see Howard. As for what I’m doing? I’m shaving him.”

Yvette chuckled softly. “I see that, but is that really what you think I meant?”

“Then what do you mean?” Sienna retorted, her gaze unwavering.

Yvette crossed her arms. “You’ve seen Howard. You can leave now. There are caregivers; we don’t need your interference.”

Sienna grinned, her eyes fixed on Yvette. “You’re trying to get rid of me the moment you arrive. What gives? Something to hide? Feeling guilty?”

“What do you mean?” Yvette frowned, her expression darkening.

Sienna smirked, pointing at Howard. “Since Josiah isn’t here, you can drop the act, Yvette. What really happened back then? You may have fooled everyone else, but can you fool yourself? Are you being fair to Howard?”

Yvette was taken aback. “What are you talking about? That’s nonsense.”

Sienna laughed coldly. “For four years, haven’t you felt a twinge of guilt when you look at him?”

“I don’t know what you’re implying,” Yvette retorted, anger and embarrassment coloring her face. She pointed to the door. “Get out. You’re not welcome here!”

At the VIP building entrance, Josiah spoke with Miranda on the phone. Knowing Sienna had come alone, Miranda had called Josiah to collect her.

“Josiah, be reasonable. It’s late, and Sienna’s alone…” Miranda said.

“Got it, Grandma,” Josiah sighed, rubbing his forehead. He’d planned to visit Howard anyway. “I’m on my way. Don’t worry, I’ll get her home safely.”

“Thank you,” Miranda smiled.

Josiah continued his phone call until reaching the hospital room. He pushed open the door to see Yvette gesturing towards the door, saying, “Get out. You’re not wanted here!”

He saw Sienna by the bed. His expression hardened, his eyes icy. “Sienna, what did you do to Yvette?”

“Josiah,” Yvette cried out, tears welling.

“It’s alright. I’m here,” Josiah reassured her, moving to her side.

“Tell her to leave,” Yvette pleaded, clinging to his arm. “I don’t want to see her. Make her leave.”

Seeing Yvette’s distress, Josiah turned to Sienna, his gaze intense. “You heard her. Go!”

Sienna let out a faint, icy chuckle, set down the razor, wiped her hands, and turned to leave. “Wait!” Josiah, seeing Yvette’s distress, felt compelled to defend her. He picked up a bunch of yellow calla lilies from the table. “Are these from you?”

“Yes,” Sienna nodded.

“Take them with you,” Josiah dismissed them with a flick of his hand.

Sienna was shocked. “Don’t I even have the right to give Howard flowers?”

“Why are you waiting?” Josiah’s patience was waning. He grabbed the lilies and practically shoved them into Sienna’s arms. His voice was icy. “Do you think Howard cares about your flowers? If it weren’t for you, his child would be three years old by now.”

He stared at her, his gaze cold as steel. “I don’t understand how you have the nerve to be here.”

Yvette turned away, trembling. “Josiah, please stop. I beg you.”

Josiah’s anger intensified. “Get out!”

Sienna clutched the lilies, whispering, “Fine. I’m leaving.” She turned and walked away without looking back.

As the door closed, Josiah approached Yvette. “Don’t worry. She’s gone, and I’ll tell the staff she’s not to return.”

“Okay,” Yvette nodded, her voice thick with emotion.

At the nearest bus stop, Sienna was dismayed. “No way! The buses stop at eight? How am I supposed to get back? Do I have to walk again? I just walked for two hours last night, and now I face the same ordeal? I’ve only been back a few days, and I’m already battling this bus schedule?”

She cursed herself for not checking the times, but walking was her only option. This private hospital was even more isolated than Miranda’s nursing home. It prioritized a peaceful environment, but right now, it was a torment for Sienna.

She walked alone, down empty streets, only a few cars passing. The silence was unnerving.

Suddenly, a motorcycle sped past, U-turned, and stopped before her. Mike, a young man with dyed blond hair, grinned slyly. “Hey there, walking alone? Hop on, I’ll give you a ride.”

Sensing alcohol and smoke, Sienna frowned. “No, thank you.”

She stepped forward, but Mike blocked her path, his eyes lingering on her legs. “I said I’ll give you a ride. Come on.”

He hopped off, grabbed her hand, and tried to pull her onto the bike.

“Let go!” Sienna struggled fiercely. “I said let go!”

Mike grinned. “Don’t be shy. Come on, I’ll take you home.”

“Get lost!” Sienna swung her backpack, hitting Mike.

“You dare hit me?” Mike’s face contorted with rage. He sent Sienna crashing to the ground. In an instant, he was on top of her. He touched her cheek. “You’re so gorgeous, and your skin is so soft.”

Sienna’s body stiffened; her stomach lurched. She kept pepper spray and a makeshift weapon—a half-brick—in her bag. Frantically, she fumbled for the half-brick and swung it at Mike.

A dull thud echoed. His head began to bleed profusely. He yelped, clutching his forehead as blood smeared across his face and hands. His eyes bulged. “You’re a murderer! I’m calling the police!”