Chapter 5
Three years flew by in the blink of an eye.
At Jeiacrity International Airport, Sienna pushed her luggage and left the security area. Her face was fresh and free of makeup, and her lively eyes scanned the bustling surroundings, reflecting a calmness that seemed beyond her years.
Finally, she spotted Zaid Herring, the Flynn family driver, in the crowl, holding a sign that read “Sienna Shaw.” She approached him with a small smile.
“You’re Ms. Shaw? Zaid looked at her, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
“Yep.” Sienna nodded, smiling gently. She knew she looked quite different from four years ago. She had lost weight and even grown taller due to a second growth spurt.
After a brief moment of surprise, Zaid smiled warmly and said ou’ve become even more beautiful.”
“You’re flattering me, Zaid,” Sienna laughed.
“Come on, hop in the car. Zaid said, guiding Sienna out of the airport. The car’s right by the entrance. Miranda’s been looking forward to seeing you. She’s missed you like crazy.”
After they were outside, Sienna climbed into the car. As they drove away, she finally realized the Flynn family had only sent Zaid–Josiah hadn’t shown up.
Eventually, the car pulled up to the South Jeiacrity Nursing Home. There, Miranda was dealing with heart disease and was scheduled for heart surgery.
worried
That was why Sienna had been called back after three long year–the surgery was risky, and Miranda was we something might happen. She wanted to see Sienna before the operation.
As they reached the hospital room door, Miranda’s voice came from inside. “Are they here yet? Why so slow?” Zaid stepped forward and knocked lightly on the door.
“Come on in!” Miranda called out, her voice brimming
with excitement
“Ms. Shaw, please.” Zaid moved aside to let Sienna enter,
“Okay.” Sienna nodded and pushed the door open.
“Sienna?” Miranda squinted, trying to make out the figure at the doorway. She figured it was Sienna but couldn’t be entirely
Sure.
“Miranda.” Sienna strode over.
“It’s really you!” Miranda’s eyes lit up, and she eagerly stretched out her hand. Come closer, let me get a good look at you.” Sienna complied, allowing Miranda to take her hand and examine her closely.
“Oh, how wonderful. You’ve grown up. Miranda’s eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling. Three years ago, Sienna still had a chubby face and a lot of childlike innocence.
After composing herself, Miranda went on, “Josiah didn’t want me to stay in touch with you. He believed you needed to learn to be independent. Being on your own really does make you grow, doesn’t it?”
Sienna paused but didn’t argue. Instead, she nodded with a smile. “You’re right,”
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Seeing Sienna so well–behaved, Miranda felt even more relieved. She gently parted Sienna’s hand and asked, “Have you changed over these years?”
Sienna hesitated. She didn’t answer directly, simply saying, “I was immature before. I’m sorry for worrying you. Miranda.”
Miranda sighed. “You used to have quite the spoiled temper. But can’t blame you entirely. I spoiled you so much that you made some big mistakes.”
Sienna pressed her lips together and didn’t argue.
Miranda tenderly stroked Sienna’s hair around her temples. “I can tell you’ve changed. Don’t hold it against me for being tough–it’s for your own good. Now that you’re back, focus on living well, and you’re still my favorite girl”
“I understand,” Sienna nodded, clenching her fist quietly.
After chatting for a while, Miranda felt tired and figured it was time to take a break. “I won’t keep you any longer, sweetheart. You just got back today. Let Zaid take you home early so you can get some rest.”
“Alright.” Sienna nodded and left the nursing home.
Zaid drove her to Silver Beach–the home she once shared with Josiah. “Ms. Shaw, please get some good rest. I’ll head out
now.
“Thanks, Zaid,” Sienna replied while standing at the doorstep. After pausing for a moment, she took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and stepped inside.
Her hand was trembling. If she had anywhere else to go, she wouldn’t have stepped back into this place. But what could she do? She was broke.
Having just returned to Jeiacrity, Sienna hadn’t found a place to say. Staying in a hotel? That was out of the question. Her money was so tight she practically wanted to count every penny She’d rather sleep on the streets than waste it.
Living in Silver Beach, she mostly had to deal with Josiah’s despise. But so what? It wasn’t like she was unfamiliar with that. Over the years, she’d built up a tough skin through it all.
Entering the hallway, Sienna placed her suitcase in the corner. She took out her toiletries and the clothes she planned to change into for the day, leaving the rest untouched.
She wasn’t planning to stay long–just a few days until she found another place, and then she’d move out without fuss. Sienna headed to the downstairs guest bathroom and took a shower there, washing away the dust and exhaustion from her trip.
As the sky slowly darkened, Josiah still hadn’t come back.
Sienna went into the kitchen, but it didn’t look like any cooking had been done, and there weren’t any ingredients. After a bit of digging, she finally found an almost–expired pack of pasta and a few eggs in the fridge.
She boiled some water and got to work on the pasta. In the end, she put together a simple noodle soup with a poached egg on top, not a leaf of greenery in sight
“Mmm, smells so good.” Sienna held the bowl and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. To her, simple, clean food was already delicious.
But just as she was about to dig in, a sound from the entryway made her pause–Josiah had returned.
