Chapter 296

Across the street, Josiah sat in his car, his eyes wide with disbelief. Sienna held Joyce, both sporting matching Minnie Mouse hairpins. Josiah's breath hitched as he gripped the steering wheel.

Sienna and Joyce moved away, prompting Josiah to quietly exit his car and follow. As he approached, he overheard their conversation.

"Let's go home now." "Mommy, the strawberry milkshake is so delicious! It's sweet." "Just like you."

Their voices were soft, a gentle exchange between mother and daughter. Each word, however, struck Josiah hard. Blissfully unaware of his presence, they entered a building. Josiah stopped, his mind racing, his heart pounding.

He retrieved a cigarette, lit it, and inhaled deeply, exhaling a plume of smoke. The sharp smell of nicotine blurred the complex emotions on his handsome face. This explained why Sienna hadn't been on the list of Minnie Mouse clip purchasers; she possessed the very one he'd bought for Joyce. Sienna was Joyce's mother!

Suddenly, he recalled Sienna waiting in line at Tee Mall all night to buy a Minnie Mouse toy. When he'd met Joyce at Fliraty Airport, she'd been holding an identical toy. Sienna had been in Fliraty with Lightning Dance for a performance—around the same time Joyce was there. Joyce had even told him she could be with her mother now.

A silent understanding dawned. Everything connected. Josiah tightened his grip on the cigarette, grabbed his phone, and called Zach. "Go check the hospital..."

After hanging up, Josiah fell silent, smoking cigarette after cigarette until the overflowing ashtray above the trash can overflowed. His heart was in turmoil; he needed nicotine's calming effect. Next, he dialed Sienna's number. It connected. Thankfully, she hadn't blocked him. "It's me."

Sienna's brow furrowed slightly. "I know. What do you want?"

Josiah said, "I'm downstairs. Please come down; I need to talk."

"Can't you say it over the phone?"

Expecting her reluctance, Josiah remained calm. "Will you come down, or should I come up? Is it okay for me to come up?"

Of course, it wasn't. Sienna glanced at Joyce and reluctantly agreed. "Fine. I'll come down."

"Great. I'll wait." After hanging up, Josiah leaned against the car door, tempted to smoke again. He reached for a cigarette, then hesitated, remembering Sienna disliked his smoking. And Joyce was young and fragile. He couldn't risk harming her with secondhand smoke.

Josh felt a wave of regret for smoking so much earlier. He grabbed some gum, popped three pieces in his mouth, and chewed mechanically. The sweet flavor spread across his tongue, a feeble attempt to mask the smell of smoke.

Minutes later, Sienna appeared. Josiah straightened and walked toward her, his gaze intense. Sienna frowned, avoiding his eyes. "Just speak."

Josiah replied gently, "This isn't the right place. Let's find somewhere warm and sit down to talk."

Sienna looked confused, but his expression was firm. Unable to resist, she nodded. "Alright."

The area wasn't crowded. Sienna led Josiah to the dessert shop she and Joyce had just visited. They sat opposite each other. Josiah asked, "What would you like?"

"No, thanks." Sienna wasn't there to linger.

Josiah said, "Then let's have two strawberry milkshakes." He stood to order at the counter.

As she watched him walk away, Sienna felt confused. Josiah returned, holding the drinks and setting them before Sienna.

Sienna frowned. "Thank you. What do you want to say?"

However, Josiah didn't seem rushed, holding his milkshake and taking a large sip. "Hmm, so sweet, incredibly sweet..."

Sienna winced; his words echoed Joyce's earlier comment. Josiah held the cup, gently turning it, a half-smile playing on his lips. "My little girl...Joyce. She loves strawberry milkshakes and Minnie Mouse."

To ensure Sienna understood, he clarified. "She's a female character, a mouse with a red bow. Joyce has a Minnie Mouse toy her exact size, plus a pair of Minnie Mouse hair clips."

As he spoke, Sienna silently clenched her hands, focusing on his lips. Her heart pounded. He must know everything now! Where did I go wrong? Why did he show up unexpectedly?

Josiah's smile faded slightly as he looked at Sienna. He slowly but firmly said, "Isn't it a coincidence? I just saw her with her mother..."

Sienna froze, surprised he'd seen them. "Sienna," Josiah sat up straighter, leaning forward. His piercing gaze seemed to see right through her. "I saw you with Joyce. She called you 'Mommy'."

At last, everything was out in the open. Sienna's heart tightened, and she smiled, nodding. "Since you saw everything... yes, Joyce is my daughter."

After Sienna's admission, Josiah's expression grew serious as he reached for Sienna's hand. "Sienna, I..."