Caught In His Embrace: A Second Chance Romance
Chapter 207

Chapter 207 At Flirty , Josiah had found it odd , Joyce frequently mentioned her mom , but she never talked about her dad .

Today , Joyce asked him a strange question , Joyer … Josiah began , intending to dig a little deeper .

Joyce ! A sudden , thunderous shout cut him off .

Itwas Tra Tara had been keeping a watchful eye on Joyce nearby , unwilling to let her out of sight for even a moment .

So , when she saw a strange man talking to Joyce, she panicked .

Hey ! Tara ran over , breathless .

She scooped Joyce up in her arms and glared at Josiah like he was some kind of dangerous predator .

Who are you ? What were you saying to Joyce ? Are you crazy ? she barked , not giving Josiah a chance to explain .

Then , clutching Joyce tightly , she turned on her heel and walked away , or more accurately , fled , as if Josiah were some kind of monster .

As she hurried off .

Tara comforted Joyce .

Dont worry , Joyce .

Im here Remember , you cant talk to strangers , okay ? Good thing I got there in time .

She sighed heavily and added , Tm not worried about losing my job , but if you were taken away , your mom would be devastated … Taras voice cracked , and tears threatened to spill from her eyes .

Youre your moms whole world .

You know that ? Dont be sad , Tara Joyce lifted her chubby little hand to wipe Thras tears .

Her soft voice was full of concern .

Tara , dont cry .

That sir isnt a bad person .

Ive seen him before You Tara frowned skeptically .

Where did you see him ? Whats his name ? Joyce opened her mouth , but no words came out .

She couldnt answer .

Oh , your Tara shook her head , convinced that Joyce was mistaken .

Youre too little , so you mustve gotten mixed up .

Never mind .

From now on .

Tll keep an even closer eye on you Meanwhile , Josiah was still standing where Tara had left him , utterly dumbfounded .

Did she seriously just mistake me for a kidnapper he thought , feeling both helpless and exasperated .

Joyces earlier comments lingered in his mind .

Are her parents estranged Josiah wondered , He speculated that maybe her father had abandoned her and her mother .

How could anyone walk away from such an adorable daughter ? Josiah mused , unable to fathom the idea .

Watching Joyce bring whisked away left him with a pang of disappointment .

He didnt even get the chance to buy her the strawberry milk she liked When Sienna returned to the apartment , she immediately noticed that Joyce seemed unusually subdued , her spirits visibly low After checking Joyors temperature and confirming she didnt have a fever , Sienna let out a studl sigh of relief Before she could relax , Tara pulled her aside to explain what had happened with the strange man earlier , > Tmpo sorry Tara apologized sincerely .

Dont worry From now on , Ill never leave Joyces side , not even for a second i came straight from the heart , blic was still shaken The very thought of Joyer going missing was enough to arid a hills down her spine .

Even giving her life wouldnt be enough to make up for such a Tare Sienna said gently , feeling a little indarrassed .

This isnt your fault ? No one could predict unexpected 1/2 1:37 PM c d Chapter 207 And besides , you handled it well .

Joyce is Alright .

Sienna reassured her .

Alright ! No , no Thra gestured toward Joyce , who still seemed out of sorts .

Shes not sick .

Shes scared ! Sienna noticed the redness in Taras eyes and realized how deeply rattled she was .

a offered .

Tara , why dont you take a break ? Ill take care of Joyce .

Ill comfort her and help her forget about it .

Sienna Alright , Tara nodded reluctantly .

Joyce is closest to you .

A little cuddle time with you should make her forget all the bad stuff Youre probably right .

Sienna agreed with a small smile .

Later that evening , when Sienna was giving Joyce a bath , the bathroom was warm and cozy .

She even brought in Joyces favorite little rubber duck , but Joyce didnt giggle the way she usually did .

That was when Sienna realized something was seriously wrong .

Joyce , she asked softly , are you feeling upset about something today ? Mommy- Joyce ulted her liule face up to her , her big eyes blinking as if she wanted to say something but couldnt quite get the words out .

Hey ! Sienna couldnt hold back her curiosity .

Joyce , whats wrong ? Is there something you cant tell me ! No , thats not it Joyce shook her head .

Although she was small , she had a faint sense that her question might upset her mom .

So since theyd come home , shed been hesitant to bring it But now , with her mom staring at her and pressing for an answer , Joyce couldnt hold it in any longer .

Mommy , every kid has a mom and a dad , right ? Moms and dads have to be together to have a baby , right ? Joyce asked .

Sienna froze , her mind momentarily going blank ..

She had never imagined that this would be the question troubling Joyce .

From the day Joyce was born , Sienna had known that one day her daughter would ask about her father .

But Joyce wasnt born out of love between her parents .

Her father unterly despised and hated her mother .

Over the years , Sienna had carefully avoided this topic , never mentioning Joyces father , But some things could not be avoided forever .

The inevitable had arrived .

Mommy Joyces Lig , glistening eyes stared up at her as she tugged on her moms sleeve .

Do I have a dad too ? Siennas chest tightened , and she had no choice but to nod .

Yes , of course Then Joyers eyes lin up .

Mommy , wheres my dad ? Why hasnt he ever come to see me ? Does he not like me ? Siennas heart shattered .

No , no , thats not i Her eyes burned as tears threatened to spill .

How could that be ? Your dad adored you .

When you were little , he spent time with you When y you were still in my belly .

Even if it was only for a short while .

Sienna thought to herself Really ? Joguce furned her brow .

I dont remember that , 1 mustve been too little back then .

But why doesnt Daddy come to see me now ! Because Sirunas throat tightened painfully , but she forced herself to comfort her daughter .

Your dad Oh Juyor looked half convinced .

So when hes not busy anymore , hell come are ine , riglur Seeing the hopeful look in her daughters eyes , Sienna reluctantly tousled , Yes ? very busy .

Heluper busy ? 24 1:37 PM ď ď Chapter 207 Then , Mommy .

Joyces spirits lifted a bit compared to earlier .

Why doesnt Daddy call me ? Even when Sienna used to live alone in Jelacrity , she always found time to call Joyce .

Sienna felt as if her heart had stopped beating from the pain .

She choked out .

Your dads work is … very special .

He cant just make phone calls whenever he wants .

The lie came so easily .

But Sienna would rather lie than let Joyce know what kind of cruel and irresponsible man her father was .

Sienna would bear her hatred for Josiah alone .

Joyce didnt need to know who her father was .

She would live in the blissful illusion of a loving father .

Joyce had suffered enough .

She didnt need more sadness in her life .

I see , Joyce said , nodding obediently .

Ill be good and wait at home for Daddy , Such a good girl For a brief moment , Sienna felt as if her heart had been wrung out .

She didnt even dare look into her daughters eyes .

Joyce , you wont be able to wait for him .

Youll never see your daddy .

Sienna thought .

Joyce , just like Sienna once was , was a child abandoned by her father .

Sienna had once begged .

Daddy , please .

Im begging you .

Daddy , please take me with you .

I promise Ill behave .

I wont eat much , and Ill take care of my lile brothers and sisters ..