Chapter 3

Two years later.

Seeing Sienna sitting on the sofa, Josiah narrowed his eyes, annoyed. “Why didn’t you open the door?”

“Because I was weak,” Sienna thought, but she merely shook her head. She figured any excuse would be dismissed; he disliked her, so in his eyes, everything she did was wrong.

Feeling uncomfortable, she cut to the chase. “What brings you here?”

“Imph, like I had a choice,” Josiah sneered, his icy gaze making his distaste evident. “Grandma insisted I come and make sure you get on that plane.”

Sienna’s heart sank. What am I even expecting?

“Where’s your stuff? Upstairs?” Josiah asked, his impatience palpable. Every second in Sienna’s presence felt like a punishment.

Sienna nodded, then shook her head. “It’s up there, but I haven’t finished packing.” She had intended to pack last night, but she felt unwell and fell asleep.

“What?” Josiah’s expression darkened. “You’ve been doing nothing all day and can’t even get your bags ready?”

Seeing Sienna standing there blankly, anger flared in him—was she trying to delay things? He urged sharply, “What are you waiting for? Go pack your stuff!”

“Okay.” Sienna nodded in a daze and hurried upstairs. A few steps had her breaking into a cold sweat. Something felt wrong, and she touched her forehead.

It was burning hot, and even her breath felt feverish. She realized she’d likely caught a fever after getting drenched in the rain yesterday.

She hurried to her room for cold medicine. However, she stopped short—she was pregnant, and this medicine wasn't safe.

The decision about the baby was still uncertain, but as long as it was in her belly, she had to care for it.

Just then, her stomach churned. She clamped a hand over her mouth and sprinted to the bathroom, hugging the toilet as she vomited violently. Afterward, she felt utterly exhausted.

She turned on the tap, rinsed her mouth, and splashed cold water on her face, hoping to cool the fever.

“Sienna!” Josiah’s low, slightly hoarse voice called out impatiently. He’d run out of patience and came to hurry her. He stepped inside and found her still unprepared. “Sienna, where are you? Get out here!”

“Coming.” Sienna wiped her face with a towel and emerged from the bathroom. Her complexion was pale, her voice barely a whisper.

“Josiah,” she said, dropping the usual affection. “Can I leave tomorrow instead?”

She felt terrible, worried she might pass out on the plane. Alone, she'd be in serious trouble.

“What for?” Josiah frowned, suspicion etched on his face. “What trick are you trying to pull now? You tried to beg Yvette at the hospital yesterday, but I stopped you. Now you’re trying to find another way?”

Chapter 3 (continued)

“Is that really how he sees me?” Sienna stared at him, eyes welling up as she fought back tears. “No, it’s not like that. I’m really unwell. I need to see a doctor.”

“Cut the act!” Josiah snapped, cutting her off. He scrutinized her face, then offered a thin smile. “You’re not faking sickness again, are you? You think I’ll believe it?”

His voice turned icy. “Even if you are sick, how bad could it be? Yvette lost the baby and is stuck in the hospital, but you look just fine! Suck it up. It won’t kill you.”

Sienna paused, her voice catching in her throat as she whispered, “I…”

Josiah ignored her and strode to the closet. He yanked open the doors and grabbed a packed suitcase.

“No need to clean up anymore. Just buy what you need overseas. It’s all on the Flynn family. I don’t have time for your drama,” he said, hoisted the suitcase, and headed downstairs.

Sienna bit her lip, her heart throbbing with pain. Tears cascaded down her cheeks, and she roughly wiped them away.

Just go. What’s the difference if I’m here or overseas? I’m alone, and nobody cares about my struggles or my life, she thought, a bitter laugh escaping her lips.

At the airport, Josiah didn’t bother walking Sienna in. His assistant, Zach Reed, handled the check-in and guided her through security.

“Mrs. Flynn, have a safe trip,” Zach said, handing her the passport and ticket. “Give Mrs. Miranda Flynn a call when you land. Your living expenses will be wired every month.”

“Okay. Thanks,” Sienna said with a nod, then headed toward the gate.

Time flew by, and soon a month had passed since Sienna settled into an apartment downtown in Fliraty.

It was late at night, but Sienna didn’t dare turn on the lights. She curled up in bed, trying to stay quiet.

The door rattled as the landlord pounded on it. “Hey! Are you in there! Your rent is due. I know you’re in there. Say something!”

Sienna covered her ears, shook her head, and closed her eyes, hoping the landlord would leave.

After a moment of silence, the landlord gave up. “You really think hiding will save you money, sweetheart? Don’t be…”

“She really isn’t here?” he mumbled. “It’s so late. Oh, God bless her.”

The banging stopped, and as the landlord’s footsteps faded, Sienna released a long sigh.

I managed to avoid him for another day. But what about tomorrow? What can I do then? She wondered, fishing her phone from under her pillow and searching for Miranda’s number.

It had been almost a month since she arrived in Fliraty, but her living expenses hadn’t arrived. She’d been trying to call Miranda for days, but the line was always busy.

Sienna took a deep breath and pressed the call button again. She heard the voicemail: “You have reached Miranda. I can’t take your call right now. Please leave a message after the beep.”

Frustrated and unable to reach Miranda, she realized she had only one person left to call—Josiah. After hesitating, she found his number and called.

The line rang, and Josiah’s deep, slightly hoarse voice answered. “Hello.”

“I—It’s me,” Sienna stammered, her mouth going dry.

“What do you want?” Josiah’s tone sounded impatient and annoyed.

Sienna froze, biting her lip. “I… I need to talk to Miranda. I’ve been trying to call her, but I can’t get through.”

“Hmph,” Josiah replied coldly. “Why are you trying to find her? You’ve only been gone a few days. Are you trying to sweet-talk her into letting you come back?”

“No, it’s not like that,” Sienna quickly denied.

Josiah wasn’t interested. “Stop calling Grandma. I changed her number to keep you from bothering her.”

Sienna’s eyes widened in shock, tears welling up. I know he hates me, but isn’t moving away enough? Does he really need to cut me off from Miranda? I have no other family left, and she’s the only person who still shows me kindness.

“Anything else?” Josiah’s patience was wearing thin. “Sending you away was supposed to help you break your bad habits. You need to learn to be independent instead of living off the Flynn family like a parasite. I’m hanging up.”

“Wait, I have something to say!” Sienna quickly interrupted, swallowing her pride. “It’s just the living expenses… I haven’t received them yet.”