Caught In His Embrace: A Second Chance Romance Novel

Chapter 19 No , I am not Sienna said , trying to sound offended .

Stop the nonsense , Josiah interrupted , clearly fed up .

Today is the day .

Not later , not tomorrow right now ! Do you think I have all the time in the world like you ? With that , he hung up .

Sienna let out a helpless chuckle , her grip on her phone tightening how could she explain that her way of treating him like something precious was long gone ? Okay , let it be today , then .

But it might be tough , she thought , rubbing her stomach where the pain seemed sharper than usual Fiona was laid to rest at Bacchus Bridge in the west of the city .

The weather wasnt great , and the sun was hidden by thick clouds drifting lazily across the sky .

The cemetery was on a hill .

Sienna , grappling with her stomach cramps , made her way up slowly , clutching the bouquet shed picked up .

By the time she arrived , she was worn out , her brow and temples beaded with cold sweat .

She casually wiped away the sweat , then gently set the flowers down on Fionas gravestone .

She looked at the photo of Fiona etched into the stone and offered a small smile .

Grandma , Im here to see you .

Sienna said , her eyes welling up Im sorry its been four years since I last visited .

I wasnt in agood place , and the trip back home was just too pricey .

After meeting Hannah , life had improved a lot for Sienna , but it was still a struggle , and going back to Jeiacrity felt impossible .

Without the Flynn familys financial help , she wouldnt have been able to come home now .

Sienna sniffed , Im back for good this time .

No one can make the leave .

Im from Jeiacrity , and I belong here now .

Ill come to see you often , Through her tears , she smiled and pulled out her wallet from her bag .

Oh , you havent met Joyce yet .

Ive got it ready .

She pulled out a photo and said , Look , this is your granddaughter .

Isnt she adorable ? Bending down , she placed the photo next to the flowers , then took out a cloth and began gently wiping the tombstone clean .

Grandma , Im sorry these flowers are just cheap ones from the market , she whispered , her throat tightening with emotion .

Once Im back on my feet , I promise to bring you something nicer .

With the tombstone clean , Sienna pulled herself together .

Things are gonna get better , Grandma .

Im tough , so dont you worry , she vowed , her eyes still a little red from crying, but the tears had stopped .

Im leaving now .

I promise to visit again , okay ? Sienna murmured , glanced at Fionas photo , her heart heavy , and turned to head back down .

On her way down , she unexpectedly spotted several people coming her way .

She froze , then quickly reached into her bag , grabbed a mask , and put it on .

The group drew closer , and before long , they brushed past her .

Her heart raced wildly it was them Abruptly , she turned around to stare at their retreating backs , a sheer playing on her lips .

How dare they come to Grandmas grave ? Are they here to disturb her spirit ?! Sienna clenched her fists .

She didnt want any trouble there were too many of them , and she wasnt feeling great today .

So , she decided to wait it out until they left 1/3 22:21 Sat , Jan 4 Chapter 19 S70 % About half an hour later , the group began making their way down .

Sienna , still masked , was heading up , and they crossed paths once more .

Suddenly , the middle aged man in the group turned around , his gaze lingering thoughtfully on Siennas retreating figure .

What are you looking at ? one of the group members inquired , Nothing , the man quickly replied , shaking his head and chuckling awkwardly .

Lets go Meanwhile , Sienna hurried back to Fionas grave .

Next to her boliquet , there was a much larger and fresher one .

She scoffed , picking up the larger bouquet , Grandma , Im taking this bouquet away so it doesnt clutter up your space .

Sienna had thought about just tossing it away but didnt want to disturb Fionas neighbors .

So , holding back her disgust , she carried the bouquet out of the cemetery and tossed it straight into a trash can .

Feeling satisfied , Sienna started heading back .

Because of the cemetery , Bacchus Bridge was a bit off the beaten path , so it was a ten minute walk to the nearest bus stop .

She checked her watch it was II AM , and she had plenty of time to spare .

As she walked , she glanced up at the sky .

It was getting darker , with thick black clouds rolling in rain seemed to be on the way .

A few minutes later, just before Sienna reached the bus stop , it started to sprinkle .

She gasped , quickly lifting her backpack over her head .

She picked up the pace and jogged to the bus stop .

Fortunately , the bus stop had some shelter from the pouring rain No worries , as long as I get on the bus , Ill be fine .

Maybe irll stop soon , she thought .

When the bus finally arrived , Sienna jumped on , still holding her backpack over her head .

She found a seat and settled in .

The ride from Bacchus Bridge to downtown would take about an hour .

Her stomach ached , so she leaned against the window , trying to distract herself .

Because she had woken up too early that morning , she began to feel a bit dazed , slipping into a light drowsiness .

Suddenly , a loud noise jolted her awake .

Opening her eyes , she saw chaos inside the bus .

Passengers were all standing , craning their necks to look outside , and the driver was nowhere in sight .

Confused , Sienna peeked out the window , noticing they were gridlocked in traffic .

She turned to the passenger behind her and asked , Whats happening ? Seems like somethings gone wrong , the passenger replied .

Another voice chimed in .

Theyre saying a part of the overpass up ahead has collapsed .

The passenger looked shocked .

Its terrifying .

I cant imagine how many people might be hurt , or worse .

How could something like this happen ? Im not gonna be late to the courthouse , am I ? Sienna frowned , a wave of unease washing over her.

Any idea how long until we can get moving ? The passenger shook his head .

Hard to say .

th the overpass down , theyll need to clear the road first before we can go .

Oh no , this is bad just my luck , Sienna sighed in her heart .

= oh Just then , the driver came back on the bus .

Everyone , please stay calm .

Theyre working on rescuing people and clearing the road ahead , so we wont be moving for a while .

Just be patient and wait .

Right away , the bus was filled with grumbles and complaints .

How is this supposed to be okay ! Chapter 19 No ones saying when well get going again Ive got plans later Well , what can we do ? Were stuck here .

Just sit tight .

Sienna felt just as anxious .

She could wait , but Josiah couldnt .

All she could do was hope that the road would be cleared .

sooner rather than later .

But time wasnt on her side .

She prayed and checked the clock over and over , until it was she had only an hour .

and a half left .

If they didnt leave now , she would be definitely life .

Out of options .

Sienna grabbed her phone , took a deep breath , and punched in Josiahs number .

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