Chapter 272

Sienna and Cedric simultaneously broke the silence. Exchanging smiles, Cedric gestured for Sienna to speak.

"Are you okay?" Sienna asked, her gaze fixed on his expression. "Don't be too sad." She was referring to Reyna.

Cedric forced a smile. "Yes, I know." He felt relieved, not sad. The truth was, Xenia had pushed him toward Reyna, and he'd complied only to appease his overbearing mother. Logically, he should have been angry about Reyna's infidelity, but his feelings for her had always been superficial. He felt no guilt, only a different kind of sadness altogether.

His eyes welled up. "Sienna," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."

Sienna was shocked. Why is he saying this? He came because of Reyna, didn't he? she thought, bewildered. Cedric's eyes were bloodshot, his words halting. "Sienna, I know everything…"

He knows what? she wondered.

"That day… in Fliraty," Cedric continued softly, "you didn't do anything. It was my mother. She was the one who hurt you."

Tears streamed down Sienna's face. She covered her mouth in disbelief. He knew. She'd thought this would fade with time. How had he found out?

Cedric's eyes reddened. He envisioned her terror that day, superimposing the image onto his memory. "You must have been terrified," he said softly.

"Yes," Sienna sobbed, the lingering fear still palpable.

"Then, what about Josiah?" Cedric asked gently, wanting the full story. "How did you two end up together?"

With nothing left to hide, Sienna wiped her eyes and explained. Josiah had saved her that day, driving the attacker away.

"I see," Cedric murmured, understanding dawning. How else could she have escaped? One question remained, a knot tightening in his throat. "So, later… how did you and Josiah… you know…"

Sienna froze, her face stiffening. "Later… you said you knew everything," she mumbled.

"I don't," Cedric said with unusual conviction. "I only know that at that time, you were willing to accept me."

Sienna averted her gaze. Something was wrong. Cedric turned to face her directly. "What happened? I can't believe you'd just change your mind like that." Her silence led him to guess. "Did Josiah force you?"

"No," Sienna said abruptly. "That day, he didn't do anything to me. I just… couldn't move."

Cedric was stunned. "How could you not move? Could it be… did my mother do something to you?" Sienna struggled to explain. Xenia, Cedric's biological mother, had acted terribly, yet Sienna believed it was for Cedric's sake.

"Sienna, say something," Cedric pleaded, sensing the truth. "You said you couldn't move… under what circumstances would a person not be able to move? Did my mother drug you?"

Sienna's eyes widened.

Cedric saw his answer. His heart jolted. So that's it, he thought, a mix of despair and dawning comprehension. He should have seen it sooner. Josiah had been pestering Sienna, but she'd been afraid of him, never intending to be with him. Then, suddenly, she changed her mind.

Cedric closed his eyes, remorse consuming him. What was I doing? I'm such a terrible person. He'd failed at home, been oblivious to his mother's actions, selfish and cowardly, focused only on his own sadness.

His voice hoarse, he said, "At that time, Josiah took advantage of your weakness."

Sienna's silence was confirmation. Cedric felt his heart break. He hesitantly placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Sienna, I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry…" He repeated the words, knowing apologies were insufficient. If he'd properly confronted his mother, things wouldn't be this way.

"Cedric," Sienna interrupted, forcing a smile. "Don't overthink it. I'm fine now. Josiah and I… it was my own choice. He didn't force me."

Cedric was skeptical, unsure if she was comforting him. But he knew he wouldn't be okay if she wasn't happy. He managed a smile. "That's good. As long as you're okay…"

His voice cracked, his heart aching. He bent and hugged her tightly. "Promise me," he whispered, "if you're unhappy, or if Josiah isn't good to you, you'll let me know. We may not be lovers, but we're still friends."

"Okay," Sienna whispered, blinking back tears.

Unseen, footsteps approached. At the door, Yvette held her phone, spotting Josiah entering. "Hey Josiah, you're here," she greeted him, having just sent him photos.

Josiah nodded curtly, his expression blank. Yvette pointed toward the lounge. "You can go in. I'll get back to work."

Josiah nodded, opening the door. Seeing Cedric and Sienna embracing, both tearful, his expression turned cold. Darkness filled his eyes. He curled his lips into a sneer. "What are you doing?"