Chapter 278

Sienna stood still, feeling Josiah's palm against her lower abdomen. "Am I so bad to you? What more do you want from me? How could you hurt me like this? Do you want to break up with me so badly? You're carrying my child. Would Cedric still want you?"

Without waiting for Sienna's answer, Josiah's eyebrows twitched, and he chuckled softly. "Listen," he said, each word deliberate and clear. "You can only stay by my side. You need to give birth to this child. My child has to come into this world safe and sound. And only I will be their father." After saying this, he released Sienna and headed upstairs.

Sienna froze, her mind blank. The shock faded, and reality hit her. She thought, Josiah doesn't believe me. No, he actually believes me, even though I said the child wasn't his. She realized she had acted impulsively, using the situation as a way to leave him. It had seemed the perfect opportunity.

But he hadn't believed it. She even felt Yvette's provocation was well-founded. Given Josiah's attitude yesterday and his absence all night, she'd assumed he believed her. Instead, he was angry because of her careless words. He hadn't even questioned her; he simply accepted it. Sienna wondered, Why? Where does this trust come from? Shouldn't he have chosen Yvette without hesitation, like four years ago?

"How ironic," she mused. "If he had trusted me back then, would we be in this situation?"

Sienna warmed a glass of milk in the kitchen. As she drank, she heard footsteps – Josiah coming downstairs. She quickly set down her glass and rushed over. "Josiah, wait!" But it was too late. He had already left.

Sienna gave a bitter smile. Did he not hear me, or was he choosing to ignore me? How long will he keep me trapped here? What can I do to escape with my unborn child? She finished her milk and went upstairs.

Last night's worries had prevented her from sleeping well. Now, stuck in this deadlock, Sienna lay down, trying to take things one step at a time, and drifted off.

A knock woke her. It was Romilly. "Ms. Shaw, are you awake? It's time for lunch."

"Um," Sienna mumbled, too sleepy to open her eyes. "Romilly, I'm so tired. I don't want to eat." She rolled over.

Romilly sighed and went downstairs. After hesitating, she called Josiah. "Mr. Flynn, I called Ms. Shaw, but she's too sleepy. She said she wouldn't eat."

"I see," Josiah said before hanging up. He immediately called Sienna. While waiting, he grumbled inwardly, Doesn't she understand her condition? Always dieting, yet so weak. She fainted twice from pregnancy, and still skips meals!

"Hello?" Sienna's sleepy voice answered.

"Get up," Josiah said concisely. "Get up now and go downstairs to eat."

"I don't want to eat," Sienna groaned. "I'm so sleepy. I didn't sleep well last night."

Josiah sneered inwardly. She was scheming to anger me into letting her go, hence the sleeplessness. Now the plan's failed, she's started a hunger strike.

"Are you going down by yourself, or do I need to come back and feed you?" Josiah asked, clearly annoyed.

Sienna's sleepiness faded at his tone. Sitting up, she said, "I'll eat by myself. I'm getting up now."

"Don't lie to me," he said. "Romilly will tell me if you've eaten." He hung up.

Scolding over, Sienna threw on a shawl and went downstairs. Romilly was setting the lunch table. "Ms. Shaw," she said, "you're in a special situation now. If there's anything you'd like to eat, just let me know." Romilly smiled. "Mr. Flynn told me you were pregnant and asked if I could become live-in help. I'm perfectly fine with that." With a good salary and only two to care for, it was a rare opportunity. "Ms. Shaw, if you have any requests, please don't hesitate."

Josiah's thoughtfulness surprised her. He was still considerate.

Sienna smiled. "I understand. Thank you, Romilly."

"Then take your time eating," Romilly said. "I'm going to start on tonight's soup. It needs to simmer slowly."

Romilly's soup was delicious. Lately, Sienna hadn't had much of an appetite, relying on it for most of her nutrition.

As Sienna ate, James walked in. "Ms. Shaw," he said.

"Is something the matter?" Sienna asked, confused.

James nodded. "Mr. Flynn asked you to go to the TV station this afternoon, and he wants me to go with you."

He was letting her go out but insisted James follow. Sienna chuckled. Is he worried about my well-being, or what I might do with Cedric? Does he trust me or not? This odd sense of trust...his kindness always feels a bit off. It never brings me true happiness.

At the TV station, it was Sienna's group's turn to rehearse. All the artists were present, the show set to start recording next week. Sienna changed into her practice clothes and entered the rehearsal room. She saw Yvette and Chelsea without reaction.

She clapped her hands. "Please, Mr. Lawrence, play the music. Everyone, let's get started." As the music filled the room, Sienna stretched, keeping the beat and giving movement cues.

"Sienna," Yvette said after rehearsal, her tone concerned. "Are you alright?"

Sienna raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think I'm not?"

Yvette thought, Humph. After what happened, how could she be alright? She's just putting up a strong front. She pointed to Chelsea. "As far as I know, Josiah was with Chelsea last night. What do you think they were doing for hours?"

Sienna fell silent, realizing Yvette was trying to stir up trouble. She smiled. "You're asking the wrong person. Maybe you should ask Chelsea." An idea struck her. "Are you jealous of Chelsea?"

Yvette, failing to sow discord, was put on the spot. She became enraged. "What nonsense are you talking about!"

Suddenly, James burst in, worry etched on his face. "Ms. Shaw, we have a problem. Mr. Flynn had an accident."