Chapter 22

What a temper! Josiah fell silent, his expression darkening. He wasn't usually one to back down, but looking at the medicine in his hand, he relented—part of this was his fault. He had wanted to simply walk away.

He took a few steps forward, bent down, and placed the medicine on the coffee table. Watching her back, he said, "The meds are here, and the directions are on the box. Make sure you take them."

Sienna didn't react. In the soft light, she seemed fragile. Had she always been this thin? Josiah frowned. When he'd held her earlier, she'd felt light as a feather.

Suddenly, guilt washed over him. Awkwardly, he said, "I misunderstood about today. I forgot it was Fiona's memorial day, and I only just heard about the bridge accident. I'm sorry."

That felt like a lengthy speech for him. In the past, he would have lost patience and become annoyed. Speaking this calmly, even humbly, was uncharted territory.

Still, Sienna remained silent. Josiah found himself speculating. "Are you asleep? No, you can't be asleep yet. You have to take your medicine."

He looked around the coffee table and noticed there were no cups, meaning no water. Feeling responsible, he said, "Hold on, I'll get you some water."

Josiah went into the kitchen and returned shortly with a glass of water. He placed it on the coffee table.

With a softer voice, he began, "Sienna, I know you're not asleep. Quit sulking. Get up and take your medicine. You fainted from that stomachache; you can't skip your meds."

As he set the glass down, his hand accidentally knocked something off the table.

"What's this?" Josiah bent down to pick it up. It was a woman's wallet—definitely Sienna's.

The wallet was open, and he saw a photo tucked inside. Curious, he leaned closer for a better look.

"Give it back!" Sienna shot up, snatched the wallet from him, and quickly closed it. Her eyes flashed a wary glare. "Don't touch my stuff!"

Josiah finally snapped. "Sienna, do you have any gratitude at all? I was just getting you water so you could take your medicine!"

"Save your kindness," Sienna retorted, clenching the wallet, her expression icy. "I don't need you fetching me water or buying medicine. I won't take it."

"You!" Josiah felt his anger rising, his face hardening. "Don't need my kindness? Fine, like I wanted to help anyway. If I keep getting involved, I'll just…"

He couldn't voice the thought—"look like an idiot"—so he turned and stormed upstairs, irritation evident in every step.

Sienna kept her eyes closed, absorbing the tension from their argument. Gradually, she opened them and gazed at the wallet, gently tracing her fingers over the photo. "Joyce, that was too close. Given how much he hates me, he wouldn't recognize Joyce. But I just can't let him find out about her. She's my child, mine and mine alone," she murmured.

The next day, Sienna stayed home and felt much better. By evening, she received a message from the real estate agent—the contract was finalized.

After a quick shower, she went to the agency. There, she met the landlord, paid the deposit and rent, and received the keys to her new apartment.

Sienna then took a cab back to Silver Beach to collect her luggage. Just thinking about avoiding Josiah today put her at ease.

She took the subway downtown, switched to a bus, and made a quick stop at an ATM to withdraw some cash.

It was rush hour, and the streets were crowded. That evening, Josiah was on his way to Yosef's house for dinner, but their car was stuck in traffic at a red light.

Suddenly, Zaid paused and pointed outside. "That looks like Ms. Shaw."

Josiah, who had been looking at documents on his phone, glanced up—it was Sienna.

She was blending into the crowd, wearing a white T-shirt and light blue jeans, her long hair flowing. She possessed an air of innocence mixed with allure—definitely someone who attracted attention.

Josiah frowned. "What's she doing out here? After struggling so much yesterday and refusing her medication, she's back on the street? She doesn't have a job and just seems to wander around all day!"

Before Josiah could speak, Zaid rolled down the window and waved. "Hey, Ms. Shaw! Over here."

Hearing the voice, Sienna turned and paused when she saw them. After a brief hesitation, she walked over and smiled at Zaid. "Hello, Zaid."

Only then did she glance at the back seat. She caught a glimpse of Josiah's profile but couldn't see his expression.

As Josiah remained silent, Zaid chuckled awkwardly. "Ms. Shaw, where are you headed?"

"I'm going back to Silver Beach," Sienna smiled.

Zaid turned to Josiah, seeking approval. "Mr. Flynn, Ms. Shaw is going back to Silver Beach. Should we give her a—"

But Josiah kept his eyes on his phone, unresponsive.

Zaid let out an even more uncomfortable laugh.

Sienna smiled, easing the tension. "It's okay, Zaid. I'll just head out now. Goodbye."

"Goodbye then," Zaid replied, waving.

Sienna turned and quickly disappeared into the crowd.

Zaid sighed. He'd worked for the Flynn family for a long time and sometimes chatted with Josiah. "Mr. Flynn, finding a ride at this hour is tough. Why not help Sienna out?"

"Tough to find a ride?" Josiah looked up, raising an eyebrow. "No need. She has nothing else to do and isn't in a rush."

Zaid was speechless, clearly exasperated. After years of working for Josiah, he knew Josiah didn't care about Sienna.

"Enough," Josiah waved him off, narrowing his eyes. "You know how she is. If I called her over, with her pushy nature, she'd just cling to me nonstop. I don't need that kind of hassle. Wasn't she the one who pushed me away? Why should I help her now? Better to just leave her be," he thought, letting out a cold, mirthless laugh.

"Mr. Flynn…" Zaid tried again.

Josiah interrupted, raising his hand. "Let's go. The car in front has moved."

"Oh, right."

Meanwhile, Sienna made her way back to Silver Beach, feeling hot and sticky. The bus had been crowded, squeezing her like a sardine.

She was back to collect her luggage, and since the suitcase hadn't been opened, it was easy to pack. She simply had to grab it and leave.

Once she sat on the living room sofa, she took out the cash she'd withdrawn from the ATM—$1,700. After that, she took out a blank envelope and wrote a few lines. Finally, she put the money in the envelope and placed it on the coffee table.