Chapter 335

“Liquid nitrogen freezing,” Josiah repeated lightly, a mocking smile playing on his lips. “You seem to know quite a…”

“Not really,” Sienna replied seriously, treating it as a genuine question. “I’ve been doing some research lately. Liquid nitrogen freezing technology is quite advanced now, and the success rate for artificial insemination is very high.” She was considering giving Joyce a sibling, and it seemed less daunting than she’d anticipated.

“Enough!” Josiah snapped, his eyes blazing. “Don’t say another word.”

Sienna flinched, her heart pounding. What is going on with him? Why is he acting like this?

Furrowing her brow, Sienna asked, “Are you unwilling?” How could that be? Josiah’s love for Joyce didn’t seem feigned. Could it be… “Are you worried about Yvette?”

Josiah’s expression shifted, disbelief warring with anger. He pointed at her. “You… you…” He struggled to speak. “Are you trying to drive me crazy?”

Sienna’s confusion deepened. “You really don’t want… to? Are you happy now?”

“Yes!” Josiah exclaimed, his face dark, irritation simmering. “I don’t want to!”

Sienna, speechless, finally managed, “Why? Don’t you love Joyce?”

“She’s my daughter, of course I love her,” Josiah replied. Then why…?

“Sienna,” Josiah took a deep breath, masking his emotions. “I know you were never sincere with me before. I never planned to pressure you into anything, even for Joyce. If you’re unwilling and choose artificial insemination, I’ll support your decision.”

Sienna waited for him to continue.

“But I will not entertain the idea of liquid nitrogen freezing,” he stated firmly. “Why should I?” His tone held a hint of hurt. “Why do you assume I’m meant to end up with Yvette?”

He continued, “I wasn’t with her before, I’m not with her now, and I certainly won’t be with her in the future.” A thought struck him, and he smirked bitterly. He squinted, locking eyes with Sienna. “Yesterday, you saw her leaning on me, didn’t you? Answer me.”

Sienna frowned. “I did see it, but…”

“Just as I thought,” Josiah replied. He scoffed. “I was upset about Howard and Rosie. Besides, did you actually see me hugging her?”

Sienna hadn’t. She bit her lip. “You could have…”

“Sienna,” Josiah exploded. He stood, strode across the coffee table, and knelt on the sofa, cupping her face. “But I don’t want to hug her. I want to kiss you. Can I?”

“No!” The moment his lips descended, Sienna reacted swiftly, covering his mouth.

Josiah, unfazed, playfully bit her finger.

Sienna gasped, her eyes widening. “Let go,” she managed, though his eyes sparkled with laughter, and he showed no sign of releasing her.

“Mommy!” Joyce’s sleepy voice called from the hall.

“Let go, Joyce is awake!” Sienna snapped, glaring at Josiah.

Josiah raised an eyebrow and finally released her. Sienna practically leaped off the couch and rushed to Joyce’s room. “Joyce, wake up! Mommy’s here!”

When Joyce emerged after washing, she spotted Josiah and grinned, running to him. Josiah scooped her up. Glancing at Sienna, who ignored him, he smiled wryly. This time, he was definitely dragged into something by Howard.

“Josiah, where’s my bunny plush toy!”

“I brought it! But first, let’s eat. After we finish, we can play with it together, okay?”

“Okay!”

After the holidays, Sienna’s film crew resumed shooting. On the first day back, there was a kick-off ceremony. Sienna unexpectedly ran into Yvette, who was in costume, chatting with Charles.

“Sienna,” Maggie nudged her. “What’s she doing here? I didn’t hear anything from the company.”

Sienna shook her head. “No idea.” Since Maggie and Yvette worked for the same company, she was no wiser either. “The lead actress, Alice, is still here. Yvette didn’t replace her, so what’s she doing?”

They soon found out. Yvette approached, smiling brightly. “What a coincidence! I heard from Mr. Carter that you’re working with him.”

“Yeah,” Sienna nodded, avoiding a lengthy conversation. “I’m just doing a guest role with two scenes. We’ll wrap up today.”

Yvette explained, grinning. “I worked with Mr. Carter before and won an award. He really helped me out.”

“Ms. Young, time for makeup touch-ups! We’re ready to shoot,” a makeup artist called.

“Got it!” Yvette smiled at Sienna and waved. “I’ll catch up with you later.”

As soon as Yvette left, Maggie leaned in. “Sienna, you and Yvette seem pretty close, huh?”

“Yeah, kinda,” Sienna nodded, then shook her head. “But not really.”

“Not really? Come on! It doesn’t look that way!” Maggie was skeptical.

Sienna sighed. “Seeing isn’t always believing.” Just because Yvette said hello didn’t mean they were close friends.

“But…”

“No buts! Let’s go get our makeup done. We’re next!”

It was Sienna’s first day back, and she only had one scene. She’d be finished by afternoon, but couldn’t leave yet due to a cast dinner. With some free time, she watched the other actors. The current scene featured Yvette.

Despite being a newcomer, Yvette’s skill was evident. She was incredibly expressive, truly inhabiting her character. It was clear why she’d succeeded in the industry – and not just because of the Flynn brothers.

“Alright,” Mr. Carter called. “Yvette, that was great!”

“Really?” Yvette paused, smiling brightly, her eyes still a little red. “If you’re satisfied, then I’m good!”

Suddenly, a buzz rippled through the crowd.

“Mr. Flynn! Mr. Flynn!”

The crowd parted as Josiah, in a long camel-colored trench coat, approached. The bandage on his head was gone, and hair was starting to regrow. Whispers filled the air.

“Who’s Mr. Flynn here to see?”

“Who else? Sienna, of course.”

“But Yvette’s here today.”

Josiah scanned the crowd until his eyes found Sienna. He started towards her, but Sienna covered her stomach and headed for the restroom.