Chapter 269

A pang of guilt struck Josiah's heart. Panic surged; he'd never anticipated this. He grasped Sienna's hand, pleading, "I'm sorry, Sienna."

Sienna's gaze remained emotionless. "Stop it," she said. "I'm tired of those insincere words. Save your breath."

"It's not insincere," Josiah insisted, his hand rising to his lips. How could he protect his brother's secret while appeasing Sienna? "The truth is, I couldn't trace the number. I was afraid you'd be angry, so I let you think I was incompetent. I'm sorry. I failed you."

Sienna raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

Josiah leaned in, kissing her forehead, his voice trembling. "It's my fault. If you're upset, punch me, yell at me, do whatever you need. But please, don't talk about breaking up, or say your feelings aren't real."

Sienna remained silent. Did he truly expect her to believe he couldn't trace a hidden number? He was either unwilling to help, or there was more to the story. However, she was too weary to argue. It would be pointless.

"Let's go," Sienna said lazily, withdrawing her hand. "I'm tired and want to go home."

"Okay," Josiah agreed immediately.

The car drove off. Sienna stared silently out the window. This, she thought, was the first and last time she'd ask him for help.

Upon arriving at Silver Beach, the home helper was departing. "Mr. Flynn, Ms. Shaw, dinner is ready and still hot."

"Got it," Josiah nodded. "You can go now."

"Okay, Mr. Flynn," the home helper replied, leaving.

Sienna had already ascended the stairs to her room. Josiah frowned and entered the kitchen, serving the food so Sienna could eat upon her descent. However, she didn't come down. He sighed, rubbed his forehead, and went upstairs.

He heard water running from the bathroom. Sienna was showering. He leaned against the dressing table, waiting.

The bathroom door opened, and Sienna emerged. Josiah approached. "Sienna, dinner's ready."

"Thank you," Sienna replied, avoiding his gaze. "But I don't have much of an appetite. I don't want to eat." She walked to the bed and lay down.

"How can you not eat?" Josiah sat beside her, coaxing softly. "It's not good to sleep on an empty stomach. Just a little something?"

Sienna insisted, "I'm not hungry. I used to skip dinner all the time."

"Not anymore," Josiah frowned, patiently reasoning. "You used to be alone, but now you have me. Besides, you fainted the other day. The doctor said you're too weak."

His worry growing, he refused to let her skip dinner. He bent, lifting her like a child.

"Josiah!" Sienna growled. "I told you I'm not eating! I'm not going to die from skipping one meal!"

Josiah clicked his tongue. "You say you're not a little girl, but you sound pretty immature. What's with all this talk about 'death'? Forget it."

He carried her downstairs. "Come and eat."

He seated her at the dining table. "Eat up," he said.

Sienna took two bites, but the food tasted like sawdust. She glared resentfully at Josiah.

"What's wrong?" Josiah chuckled, touching her head. "You're staring at me like I'm bullying you."

Seeing her lack of appetite, he didn't force her. He removed her plate, pushing the soup bowl towards her. "Eat the soup. No more negotiating."

Sienna hesitated before slowly eating the soup, spoonful by spoonful, leaving the ribs untouched.

Josiah narrowed his eyes. "Didn't you say you like ribs?" He pushed the hot sauce dish towards her.

"I don't feel like it," Sienna shook her head. "I'm not hungry." She genuinely lacked an appetite.

Josiah sighed and finished her ribs.

Sienna voiced her annoyance. "Don't eat my leftovers! I heard they can lead to Helicobacter pylori infections."

Josiah replied casually, "I'm not worried. We've kissed plenty of times. Why would I care about your leftovers?" He continued eating.

Sienna thought, He's pouring his heart out, but we both know it's an act.

The next day, Sienna went to work in the afternoon. In the morning, she visited Joyce. After lunch and putting the little one to sleep, Sienna left.

At the bus stop, she saw Reyna across the street, smiling and holding a man's arm—the blond man who had kidnapped her with Reyna. She remembered Reyna calling him Jamie. Their intimacy was undeniable.

As Sienna watched, Reyna kissed Jamie on the cheek. Sienna quickly took a picture before a bus obscured her view. When the bus moved, Reyna and Jamie were gone.

Sienna took a deep breath, closing her eyes. Reyna and Jamie were a couple. But what about Cedric? Weren't they dating? Had Reyna lied to Cedric?