Chapter 35

That day, in Miranda’s hospital room, Sienna had smiled at Yosef like that, hadn’t she? So this was the scene Yosef had witnessed, Josiah thought. At that moment, Josiah had only seen her profile.

Seeing her in this dazed state, Josiah’s eyes darkened as he stared at her for a few seconds. “Do you know who I am?”

Could she have mistaken him for Yosef? That’s right, Yosef was the one who brought her back today, he thought, his handsome face darkening.

However, Sienna looked at his warm, melancholic face and chuckled softly. “I know, you’re Jou.”

Instantly, Josiah’s throat tightened, his eyes reflecting her rosy cheeks. She was obviously drunk; otherwise, she wouldn’t have called him “Jos.” That nickname was what she used when she first arrived at the Flynn family home. But even in such a drunken state, she could still recognize him.

For some reason, Josiah felt inexplicably pleased. He raised his arm, reaching out to her, his voice low and husky. “Why did you drink? Come on.”

As he reached out, she revealed that wary look again, shaking her head in strong resistance. “Don’t touch me!”

Beside them, Yosef couldn’t help but laugh. “Sienna’s got quite the guard up. Even when drunk, she knows not to let men touch her.”

“Shut up,” Josiah glared at him. “I haven’t settled with you yet. Why did you buy her alcohol?”

Yosef was speechless. There was no way to explain this. “My bad. What do we do now?”

What to do? Josiah was also worried. It was good for a girl to be cautious, but Sienna’s caution was particularly severe.

He thought for a moment, raised his hand to his neck, loosened his tie, and pulled it out, wrapping one end around his hand. He presented the other end to Sienna. “Raise your hand.”

“What are you doing?” Sienna hugged her chest with both hands, disagreeing.

Josiah was at a loss. “I won’t touch you. I’ll tie your hand, lead you, and we’ll go together, okay? Aren’t you tired? I’ll take you to bed.”

“Oh, tired,” Sienna nodded slowly, hesitantly extending her right hand.

Josiah took the other end of the tie, tied it around her wrist, and tugged, making sure it wouldn’t come loose. He stood up. “Alright, let’s go.”

“Okay,” she followed behind him, very docile, very soft.

To match her pace, Josiah deliberately slowed his steps, occasionally looking down at her to make sure she was alright before continuing.

Behind them, Yosef was stunned, thinking, Josiah actually has such a patient side.

Josiah had Zach book a room across the hall from his own. He led Sienna to the room and, once there, released the tie that had been wrapped around her wrist.

Seemingly unable to stand firm, Sienna tumbled onto the sofa, her body slumped, and she looked so tired she could barely keep her eyes open.

Josiah frowned. “Don’t sleep now, go to bed.”

“No, no need,” Hearing his voice, Sienna’s eyes snapped open. She shook her head while waving her hand. “I can sleep on the couch. I don’t want to leave any scent on your bed.”

The furrow between Sienna’s brows deepened, and she spoke in a heavy, slurred voice, “Am I that demanding?” She wasn’t a beggar or someone with a contagious disease; what scent could she possibly have?

“Yes!” Sienna nodded seriously, tilting her head. “You might not be clear about others, but you really dislike me, and I know it.”

Sienna had already curled up on the couch, her eyes closed. “I’ll sleep here, it’s fine.”

“Sienna?” Josiah wanted to wake her up to get some clarity. “Don’t sleep! Get up and talk this through.”

“So noisy!” Sienna waved her hand in annoyance. “I want to sleep.”

Annoyed by him? Josiah felt both amused and frustrated. What was the point of arguing with a drunk person?

“Sleep like this? Do you want to get up and take a shower?” Josiah asked.

“Shower?” Sienna’s mind seemed to struggle to keep up, her thoughts coming in fits and starts. At that moment, she actually leaned in towards Josiah. “You smell me? Do I stink?”

Her face was almost pressed against his, their noses nearly touching! Josiah’s heartbeat missed a beat. What was she doing? He hastily retreated, his eyes darkening. “Speak properly!”

She seemed not to hear him, tugging at her collar. “You smell it, right? I don’t stink, do I?”

Having no choice but to humor her, he relented. “Yes, you don’t stink. You’re the sweetest!”

Sienna smiled happily. “Right, I’m still sweet without a shower, no need to wash! I’m going to sleep.” She raised her right hand and waved it towards Josiah, her voice soft and slurred. “Jos, good night.” Her hand still had his tie tied around it.

Unconsciously, Josiah rolled his Adam’s apple and stammered, “Good… good night.”

Soon, steady breathing sounds came from the couch, and Sienna fell asleep. He lowered his head, gazing at her flushed face, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. On impulse, he raised his hand and slowly approached her face. As his fingertips were about to touch her, he suddenly remembered that she didn’t like to be touched.

Then, Josiah was shocked, thinking to himself, “What am I doing? Do I actually want to touch Sienna? Have I gone mad?” Josiah abruptly got up and left the room as if fleeing.

Calm down, I need to calm down! I can’t possibly have any thoughts about Sienna. I didn’t even bother to touch her when we were newlyweds, let alone now. It’s just an accident, he thought.

The sky was just beginning to lighten when Sienna woke up. It was her first time drinking hard liquor, and her head was still throbbing a bit. She raised her hand to rub her temples and noticed a tie wrapped around her wrist.

“A man’s tie? Whose?” she wondered. Memories of last night flitted intermittently in her mind. She covered her mouth in horror. “No way, right? Josiah?”

But how could that be? The man from last night was so gentle; even if Josiah were reincarnated ten times, he couldn’t possibly treat her like that. Reasonably, it should be Yosef, right? After all, he was the one who brought her back and treated her to dinner. The more she thought about it, the more it made sense. Yes, it was Yosef.

She went into the bathroom, took a shower, and felt much more awake. She grabbed her room key and left the room, only to bump into Josiah and Yosef, who were also heading out.

Josiah lowered his eyelids slightly, not giving her a proper look, as cold and indifferent as usual.

“Sienna!” Yosef, on the other hand, smiled and waved at her. “You’re awake? You accidentally drank my wine last night, right? Does your head…”

Indeed, it was Yosef, no doubt about it. Sienna shook her head with a smile. “A little, but it’s not serious.” She took a couple of steps closer. “Yosef, thank you… for taking care of me last night and getting me a room.”

Josiah was taken aback and suddenly looked at Sienna. He thought to himself, What is she talking about! I’m the one who got her a room and took care of her last night! After one night’s sleep, she’s playing amnesia with me!

Yosef also realized that she was mistaken and tried to explain, “Sienna, last night…”