Chapter 207

At Flirty, Josiah found it odd that Joyce frequently mentioned her mother but never her father. Today, Joyce asked him a strange question. Josiah began, “Joy—” intending to gently probe further, but was interrupted.

“Joyce!” A thunderous shout cut him off. Tara, who had been discreetly watching Joyce, panicked at the sight of a man talking to her. She rushed over, breathlessly scooping Joyce into her arms and glaring at Josiah. “Who are you? What were you saying to Joyce? Are you crazy?” she demanded, not giving him a chance to respond.

Clutching Joyce tightly, Tara turned and fled, as if Josiah were a monster. As she hurried away, she comforted Joyce. “Don’t worry, Joyce. I’m here. Remember, you can’t talk to strangers, okay? Good thing I got here in time.” She sighed heavily. “I’m not worried about losing my job, but if you were taken away, your mom would be devastated…” Tara’s voice cracked, tears welling in her eyes. “You’re your mom’s whole world. You know that?”

Joyce, with concern, lifted her chubby hand to wipe Tara’s tears. “Tara, don’t cry. That sir isn’t a bad person. I’ve seen him before.”

Tara frowned skeptically. “Where did you see him? What’s his name?”

Joyce opened her mouth, but no words came out. Tara shook her head. “You’re too little; you must be mistaken. Never mind. From now on, I’ll keep an even closer eye on you.”

Josiah remained where Tara had left him, dumbfounded. Did she seriously just mistake me for a kidnapper? he thought, feeling helpless and exasperated. Joyce’s earlier comments lingered: Are her parents estranged? he wondered, speculating that perhaps her father had abandoned her and her mother. How could anyone walk away from such an adorable daughter? he mused. Watching Joyce being whisked away left him disappointed; he hadn't even gotten a chance to buy her the strawberry milk she liked.

When Sienna returned to the apartment, she immediately noticed Joyce’s unusually subdued demeanor. After checking Joyce’s temperature and finding no fever, Sienna sighed in relief. Before she could relax, Tara explained the incident with the strange man.

“I’m so sorry,” Tara apologized sincerely. “Don’t worry. From now on, I’ll never leave Joyce’s side, not even for a second.” The thought of Joyce going missing still shook her deeply.

“Tara,” Sienna said gently, “this isn’t your fault. And besides, you handled it well. Joyce is alright.”

“Alright? No, no!” Tara gestured toward Joyce, who still seemed upset. “She’s not sick. She’s scared!”

Sienna, noticing Tara’s red eyes, offered, “Tara, why don’t you take a break? I’ll take care of Joyce. I’ll comfort her and help her forget about it.”

“Alright,” Tara nodded reluctantly. “Joyce is closest to you. A little cuddle time with you should make her forget all the bad stuff.”

Later that evening, while bathing Joyce, Sienna noticed Joyce wasn’t her usual giggly self, even with her favorite rubber duck. “Joyce,” she asked softly, “are you feeling upset about something today?”

Joyce lifted her little face, her eyes blinking. Sienna pressed gently, “Joyce, what’s wrong? Is there something you can’t tell me?”

“No, that’s not it,” Joyce shook her head, hesitant to upset her mother. But finally, she blurted out, “Mommy, every kid has a mom and a dad, right? Moms and dads have to be together to have a baby, right?”

Sienna froze. She’d known this question would come someday, but Joyce wasn’t born out of parental love; her father utterly despised her mother. Sienna had carefully avoided the topic, but the inevitable had arrived.

“Mommy,” Joyce’s glistening eyes stared up at her, tugging on her sleeve. “Do I have a dad too?”

Sienna nodded. “Yes, of course.”

“Then,” Joyce’s eyes lit up, “Mommy, where’s my dad? Why hasn’t he ever come to see me? Does he not like me?”

Sienna’s heart shattered. Tears threatened to spill. How could that be? Your dad adored you. When you were little, he spent time with you… even when you were still in my belly, Sienna thought.

“Really?” Joyce furrowed her brow. “I don’t remember that. I must’ve been too little. But why doesn’t Daddy come to see me now?”

Sienna’s throat tightened. “Your dad is… very busy. Super busy.”

“Oh,” Joyce looked half-convinced. “So when he’s not busy anymore, he’ll come see me, right?”

Sienna reluctantly nodded. “Yes.”

“Then, Mommy,” Joyce’s spirits lifted, “why doesn’t Daddy call me?”

Sienna felt her heart stop. She choked out, “Your dad’s work is… very special. He can’t just make phone calls whenever he wants.” The lie came easily, but she’d rather lie than let Joyce know the truth. Sienna would bear her hatred for Josiah alone. Joyce didn’t need to know.

“I see,” Joyce said, nodding obediently. “I’ll be good and wait at home for Daddy.”

Such a good girl, Sienna thought, her heart aching. Joyce, you won’t be able to wait for him. You’ll never see your daddy. Joyce, like Sienna once was, was a child abandoned by her father. Sienna remembered begging, “Daddy, please. I’m begging you. Daddy, please take me with you. I promise I’ll behave. I won’t eat much, and I’ll take care of my little brothers and sisters…”