Chapter 352

"Forgive me," Sienna said, her voice raspy with lingering pain. "My voice is hoarse, so it might be difficult to understand me."

Her polite manner tugged at Josiah's heart. His mouth felt dry, and sweat beaded on his palms.

"I'm listening. Take your time; there's no rush," he replied gently, as if she were something delicate, too fragile for loud words.

Sienna looked at him steadily, taking a deep breath. "I want to talk about Joyce... have you thought about cryopreservation with liquid nitrogen?"

Josiah's eyes darkened. "We agreed to talk about this when the time comes."

"I'm willing to wait," Sienna reassured him. "However, I need you to promise you'll cooperate when the time arrives."

"How could I refuse to help you?" Josiah said, his brow furrowed. "Joyce is my daughter."

"Alright," Sienna nodded, a small smile crossing her lips. "I trust you will keep your promise. I will contact you. If you'd like to see Joyce, you can reach Tara..."

"Sienna," Josiah's heart pounded, "Are you saying you don't plan to see me again?"

"Yes, that's right." Sienna's expression shifted slightly, showing some discontent as she touched her throat. "I truly want to avoid seeing you again unless it's necessary."

"Sienna!" Josiah's frown deepened, his voice cold with fear. This was a trap Andy had set for him. "About what happened last night..."

"I already know," Sienna said, her lashes fluttering. "Last night, Yvette was also taken along with me." There was no anger or sorrow in her clear, bright eyes. "I know we were both taken, and I know you chose to go to Yvette..."

Josiah jumped to his feet, his dark eyes blazing, his breathing heavy. "Sienna, that's not true!"

"Wasn't it?" Sienna remained calm. "Don't try to hide the truth; it's too obvious. If I faced Yvette, we'd find out what really happened, wouldn't we?"

Josiah was speechless. He couldn't face the truth. "Sienna," he stammered, weakly apologizing. "I'm sorry."

"I accept your apology," Sienna said, a faint smile playing on her lips. "I was nearly dead because of you. Anyone in that position would choose their loved one; that's just human nature."

Josiah's eyes widened. He knelt by her bedside and held her hands tightly, fearing she would disappear if he let go. He felt he was going to lose her—this time for real. His desperation and humility were palpable. "Please, don't leave me," he begged.

Sienna looked at him, the once strong man now almost broken with emotion, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You seem so different," she said. "How can you pretend to care so deeply when your heart doesn't seem to care for me?" A playful smile flickered across her lips. "Honestly, your acting is almost believable... and a little touching."

"Sienna!" Her words felt like salt in the wound. He had never felt such deep pain; even breathing felt like a struggle. "I do care about you! I truly do!"

"Enough," Sienna said impatiently. "After all this time, do you find pleasure in deceiving me like this? I am completely worn out." Her voice, though hoarse, held a strong firmness. "I'm just a temporary distraction for you," she sighed softly, "while Yvette is your true love, the one you'd risk everything for." Sienna knitted her brows together. "I really can't understand you. Should I be happy with her? Why are you treating me this way? Am I so detestable?"

Josiah's hand shook in hers, his throat tight. "Sienna, you can hate me and blame me, but please don't reject me!"

Chapter 332

"Do you still not see?" Sienna looked at him, taking a deep breath. "I don't hate you, I don't blame you... I just don't want to be with you." She continued, "I am in this situation because of you; you brought this upon me. Consider it repayment for the debt you owe me, and let me go."

"Sienna," Josiah's eyes widened in shock.

"Please leave. I've said all I needed to say. I'm tired and need rest." Sienna closed her eyes, turning away.

"Alright," Josiah nodded slowly, his lips trembling as he swallowed his unfulfilled desires. "Rest well, I'll come back to see you."

Sienna lay quietly, ignoring him until he left. After he was gone, she slowly opened her eyes. His words were meaningless. He said he would return. Her previous words had been equally meaningless.

In the afternoon, Sienna had another oxygen treatment and felt much better. She initially planned to wait until morning to check out, but she no longer wanted to stay. Being under observation brought her no comfort, especially with Josiah's impending return. Also, she wanted to be with Joyce.

The day had been wasted, and she needed to rejoin the film crew tomorrow. That evening, Sienna finalized her discharge paperwork, carrying little with her since she had been admitted as an emergency case.

As she left the ward, she saw Cedric. "Cedric?" Sienna was surprised—he had visited that morning. Cedric smiled casually. "Do I seem unwelcome?"

"Not at all..." Sienna laughed softly. "I'm fine now, and you seem busy; why are you back?"

Cedric pretended to be annoyed, giving her a playful glare. "If I hadn't come, I wouldn't have known you were ready to leave. Why not stay another night?"

"I promise you, I'm perfectly fine," Sienna explained, her voice still raspy. "Aside from my throat, I feel completely good."

Seeing her determination, Cedric consulted the doctor. "In that case, let me give you a ride." Before Sienna could respond, he added, "Don't refuse; I'm already here. It's a free ride, why not take it?"

"Okay," Sienna chuckled and nodded. Just as they were leaving, Josiah arrived at the ward. He raised his hand to knock but hesitated, remembering Sienna's rejection.

Upon seeing Josiah, a nurse said, "Oh, it's you?"

"Yes," Josiah replied curtly.

"Didn't you know?" The nurse seemed surprised. "Sienna has already been discharged."

"Discharged?" A chill ran down Josiah's spine. "When?"

"Just a little while ago," the nurse looked at her watch. "Maybe ten minutes?"

A shadow crossed Josiah's face. Sienna still looked so weak—discharging her was unthinkable.