Chapter 369

A few seconds of silence stretched between them. Josiah’s voice, soft and low, finally broke the quiet. “Yes, I like you. It’s true. How could I not like a girl who literally saved my life?”

Yvette’s heart eased, tears shimmering in her eyes. “Josiah…”

His gaze darkened, his voice growing heavier. “But Yvette, you and Howard have been together for over ten years. Not once did I feel a hint of jealousy. I only felt happy for you two.”

The light in Yvette’s eyes began to dim. Josiah took a deep breath, as if releasing a long-held tension. “Do you understand what this means?”

“No…” Yvette’s heart raced, her head shaking frantically in disbelief.

Josiah stared at her, his voice softening further. “What I feel for you is just gratitude. To me, this feeling transcends gender.”

He had always treated her as his lifesaver. For years, he had unconditionally protected her, wanting only her happiness.

“No!” Yvette shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “It’s not true!”

“It’s getting late,” Josiah said, looking away, his arm twitching slightly. “You’re tired. You should rest.”

Clearly, he wanted to end the conversation. But Yvette felt trapped. “Josiah, don’t leave!” she cried, her voice desperate, her eyes frantic. “I get it! It’s because of your grandmother, right? You’re worried she’ll oppose it, aren’t you?”

As head of the Flynn family, Miranda would never tolerate scandal. Years ago, she’d forced Yvette to choose between two boys, later arranging for Josiah to be with Sienna.

The more Yvette considered it, the more convinced she became. “How about we leave the Flynn family? Would that be okay? I’m willing to leave with you, Josiah!”

“Yvette,” Josiah said, his voice soft but hesitant.

“I know you’ve built your own career these past years!” Yvette continued, her thoughts spiraling, clouded by obsession. She smiled through her tears. “Even if we leave the Flynn family, with your abilities, we can live just fine. Yes, let’s leave!”

She gripped Josiah’s arm tightly. “We’ll leave the Flynn family. If we leave, we can be together.”

“Yvette!” Seeing her unwillingness to listen, Josiah’s voice sharpened. “Listen to me, okay?”

Yvette froze. “Okay.”

“This has nothing to do with Grandma,” Josiah said, shaking his head firmly. “Yvette, I don’t have romantic feelings for you. Do you understand?”

Yvette trembled, her heart breaking, but she shook her head, unable to accept it. “I don’t believe you!”

Josiah rubbed his forehead, sighing deeply. “Don’t you know what kind of person I am? I don’t give in to things I don’t want, not even under family pressure. Even after Sienna and I were married, I kept my distance.”

Josiah continued, “However, when I want something, no matter her unwillingness, I’ll pursue it.”

“Every sentence is about Sienna!” Yvette laughed bitterly. “Then what about me? Do I mean nothing to you?”

“No,” Josiah said carefully. “To me, you’re like a sibling, just like Howard.”

Yvette let out a silent, bitter laugh. “Then what about Sienna? Is that love? No, I don’t believe you!” She questioned him sharply. “Maybe it is love, but is there really everlasting love in this world? Didn’t Howard once say he’d only love me forever? It’s all nonsense!”

Her emotions flared. She grabbed Josiah’s arm, her eyes glowing with intensity. “Josiah, forget about Sienna. Starting right now, just think of me as your beloved. We can be together.”

“Calm down, Yvette!” Josiah seized her wrist, firmly removing her hand. “Our situation has nothing to do with Sienna. Even without her, it would still be impossible because I’ve never had romantic feelings for you. You, I, and Howard—we’re family.”

He paused. “Even if I hadn’t met Sienna, I would fall for someone else.” It would never be her.

Yvette froze, her grip loosening.

Josiah took a step back, pausing before turning. After a few steps, he glanced back at the still-seated Yvette. “Sienna has already agreed to my proposal. We’re getting married.”

Without another word, he left the ward.

Yvette sat in the wheelchair, her gaze unfocused. She heard him speaking to the nurse outside, giving instructions: “Keep an eye on her. Don’t leave her alone again.”

“Understood, Mr. Flynn,” the nurse replied.

Yvette sneered. Is he worried I might “do something drastic” again? she thought. Ha, I won’t. He and Sienna are getting married, aren’t they? How could I just give up on everything? I have to stay alive and watch if they really can make it to the end.

She looked down at her legs. They are all happy together, and what about me? Am I just supposed to die alone? No way!

The weather warmed, mornings arriving earlier. When Josiah arrived at Sunshine Neighborhood, Sienna had just woken and hadn’t yet freshened up. Tara was in the kitchen. Sienna opened the door.

“Good morning,” Josiah said, holding flowers and a bag from Tasty Bites. “Freshly baked egg tarts. You and Joyce both like them, right?”

Sienna took the bag, saying little.

“I’ll go check on Joyce,” Josiah said.

“She’s not awake yet,” Sienna replied.

“That’s fine. I’ll just stay with her.”

Sienna didn’t stop him. She arranged the flowers. Soon, their small talk filled the room.

“Good morning, Mr. Flynn!” Joyce said cheerfully.

“Good morning, Joyce.” Josiah handed her a dress. “Wow, your dress is so pretty!”

Joyce twirled, beaming. “Wow, I look so beautiful!”

Josiah raised an eyebrow. “You’ve always looked pretty.”

Joyce’s expression grew serious. “You’re right. We’re both pretty humans!”