Chapter 319

“Josiah!” Sienna gasped, dropping to one knee, her mind momentarily blank. She quickly scooped up Joyce, then rushed to Josiah.

“Whoah…” Joyce pouted, on the verge of tears.

“Hey, Joyce, it’s okay! Mommy’s here,” Sienna reassured her, trying to calm the little girl.

Hearing the commotion, Tara entered, flipping on the overhead light. “What happened!”

“Tara! You came just in time!” Sienna hurriedly handed Joyce to her. Tara noticed Josiah lying on the floor. “Mr. Flynn! What happened to him?” she exclaimed, panicked.

Sienna dropped beside Josiah, gently tapping his face and shoulders. “Josiah, wake up! Can you hear me?” She checked his breath and pulse; they were present, but his face was alarmingly pale. Unsure of the severity, she hesitated to move him.

Taking a deep breath, she dialed 911. “Hi, this is Sunshine Neighborhood…” She reported the address and explained the situation. Just as she hung up, she heard a knock. It was too soon for the ambulance. She opened the door to find Chester and James.

“Ms. Shaw, was that you calling out? Did something happen to Mr. Flynn?” Chester asked, concerned.

“Yes!” Sienna nodded urgently, stepping aside. “He collapsed…”

Chester and James rushed in, lifting Josiah onto Chester’s back. The moment Josiah was lifted, Sienna gasped, covering her mouth in shock. The overhead light illuminated the scene, highlighting the snow-white collar of Josiah’s shirt, now stained crimson. Blood trickled from the back of his head and neck.

“I’ve already called 911; they should be here soon,” Sienna breathed, her breath catching.

“We should go wait downstairs,” Chester said, hoisting Josiah onto his shoulder.

James looked at Sienna. “Ms. Shaw, why don’t you come with us?”

Sienna hesitated before nodding. “Okay.”

At the hospital, outside the operating room, Sienna sat on a bench, her gaze fixed on her shoes. On the way, James explained that Josiah had been injured rushing to Sunshine Neighborhood because of an agreement with Joyce.

Footsteps – steady, sharp, hurried – echoed. Sienna looked up to see Howard and Yvette.

“Sienna,” Howard began, but Yvette interrupted, her eyes blazing. “You’re unbelievable! Josiah just got off the plane, and you insisted he come see you, despite his injuries!”

Sienna’s brows furrowed, a hint of amusement playing on her lips. “Fine. Why would he force himself to come see me injured? It’s honestly quite annoying.”

“What?” Yvette’s eyes widened in fury. “How can you say such a thing! Sienna, do you even have a heart!”

Sienna rolled her eyes, turning away. Yvette yanked Sienna’s arm. “You need to leave right now! You don’t deserve to be here.”

“Let go,” Sienna twisted free, glaring. “Whether I leave or stay is my decision.”

“Get out! I told you to get out!”

“Enough!” Howard’s voice erupted, his face dark with anger. “Stop it! This noise is just making it harder for Josiah to rest!” His usual gentle demeanor was replaced by a chilling coldness.

Yvette fell silent, releasing her grip. Sienna let out a faint, cold laugh, smoothing her collar before stepping aside, as if ignoring Yvette.

Dawn approached. Finally, the operating room doors swung open.

“Doctor,” Howard stepped forward.

“Mr. Flynn,” the doctor replied, removing his mask. “The surgery was successful. Your brother is currently stable.”

“Currently!” Howard repeated, his eyes narrowing. “What do you mean by ‘currently’? Be clear.”

The doctor continued, “Mr. Flynn, your brother was brought in late, missing the optimal surgical window. For now, we need to wait for him to wake up.” Yvette glared at Sienna.

Sienna remained silent.

“When will he wake up?” Howard asked.

“That is hard to say. It could be any time from now to three days, or even longer.” The unsaid implication hung heavy – Sienna remembered Howard’s coma years ago, when the doctor had said the same.

The doctor continued, “Let’s get the paperwork done to transfer him to a regular room. He’ll need close monitoring for 72 hours. If he wakes up within that timeframe, he should be fine.”

Howard nodded calmly. “Alright.”

Josiah was transferred to the VIP suite. He lay asleep, connected to a ventilator and monitors.

Once settled, the doctor addressed Howard. “If possible, please have family and loved ones stay close to him and talk to him. Even though Josiah is in a coma, he can still hear you.”

Howard nodded, familiar with this from his own experience.

“I’ll be in the duty room. Call if you need anything.”

“Okay.” Once the doctor left, Howard turned to Sienna and Yvette. “Let’s go see Josiah.”

The rhythmic ventilator and monitor beeps filled the room.

Standing at Josiah’s bedside, Howard said, “Josiah, I believe in you. You’re going to pull through and wake up soon.” He glanced at Sienna. “Sienna…”

Before he could finish, Sienna turned and walked towards the exit.

“Sienna,” Howard called.

“Sienna!” Yvette called.

Sienna ignored them, accelerating into a run. She had to get away.