Chapter 297

"How did you find out?" Sienna stared at Josiah's conflicted expression, raising an eyebrow and coldly interrupting, "What made you suspicious?"

Josiah pointed to her hair. "The hairpin—I gave it to Joyce."

Sienna touched her hair, feeling the hairpin. She hadn't noticed Joyce placing it there. It was surprising how such a small detail had led to this.

A sarcastic smile touched her lips. After hiding the truth so long, she'd been exposed by a hairpin. Telling Josiah he was Joyce's father had been her last resort, a measure only to be taken if absolutely necessary. But now, life had forced her hand.

She felt relief, yet also a new pressure. She'd imagined this moment countless times. Maintaining her composure, she smirked slightly, meeting his gaze. "Aren't you curious about whose child Joyce is?" Only she knew the turmoil within. She wasn't sure how Josiah felt about Joyce, or if Joyce would have a future with him. Would he accept her?

Josiah paled, a heavy weight settling in his chest. Joyce was three; Sienna had left Jelacrity four years ago. He opened his mouth, struggling to speak. "Mine..."

Sienna leaned back, giving him a cold look. "When I left Jelacrity, I was already a month pregnant."

Josiah stammered, "Mine, she's mine..." Joyce was his child. That explained their deep connection.

Sienna raised an eyebrow. "Do you doubt it? If you do, a paternity test—"

"Not at all!" Josiah denied quickly, his mouth dry. "I don't doubt it. I just..." Irritation flickered. "Why didn't you tell me back then? Why were you so stubborn? If only you had confided in me..."

Sienna fluttered her eyelashes before scoffing. "You dare ask that? Yes, I didn't tell you, but did I ever get the chance? The past is the past, but that doesn't erase my experiences."

"Have you forgotten things with age?" Sienna smiled, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Your heart was only with Yvette. When her child was gone, you were by her side day and night, with no time for me."

Suddenly, Josiah remembered. Sienna had tried to find him at the hospital, but he hadn't seen her. A vivid image flashed—Sienna running after his car, him ignoring her. It had been raining, and she seemed to have fallen. It felt like yesterday. Pain shot through him. "Did you come to me that day to tell me...?"

"Yes." Sienna met his gaze, her tone casual, but to Josiah it felt like thunder. He closed his eyes.

"As for what happened afterward," Sienna raised her chin, showing calm resolve. "I asked you to let me stay one more day in Jelacrity because I was unwell."

Her eyes welled. "Joyce has poor health; I wonder if it's because I caught a cold in the rain." The weight of her past crashed down on her.

"And when I got to Flirty, you didn't contact me—you left me alone in a strange city! Four years!" Sienna clenched her teeth, her lips quivering. "Am I stubborn? Maybe. But how can I trust that, after you tossed me aside, you would accept my child and take responsibility for her?"

Josiah's eyes widened. He was speechless. Then Sienna said, "I am legally your wife, yet I am just a parasite you can discard at will."

Josiah felt a drill pierce his mind. He remembered calling her a parasite. Back then, Yvette's child had died, and Howard had fallen into a coma. What had seemed a valid excuse then now felt pathetically weak.

Josiah struggled to speak, his heart, chest, and limbs overwhelmed with regret. "Sienna..." As he spoke, Sienna stood, ready to leave.

Josiah followed, grabbing her hand. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Let go of me!" Sienna grabbed a strawberry milkshake and splashed it in his face. She laughed coldly, breaking free and rushing outside.

"Sienna!" Josiah ignored his soaked appearance, grabbing her jacket and sprinting after her.

Sienna ran ahead. Josiah quickly caught up and wrapped the jacket around her.

"Let go!"

"It's cold! Sienna, it's cold."

Sienna stopped, glaring, trembling from the cold or her anger.

"Just put on the jacket," Josiah urged, fearing she'd run. "You need to care for Joyce; her health is delicate. If you get sick and pass it on to her, you'll suffer, right?"

That convinced her. She reluctantly put on the jacket, zipped it, and walked silently ahead. Josiah followed, his phone buzzing. It was Zach, with the results he'd requested. Enlarging the image, Josiah read: "[Name: Sienna, Age: 24, Diagnosis: Ectopic Pregnancy]"

His heart raced. He pocketed the phone and silently followed Sienna. She stopped, without turning. "Don't follow me. Just go."

"Sienna," Josiah said cautiously, biting his lip. "The reason you stayed with me was for Joyce, wasn't it?"