Caught In His Embrace: A Second Chance Romance
Chapter 129

Chapter 129

Cedric froze, the smile on his face faltering. As expected, he had been rejected.

With a self–deprecating chuckle, he said, “So, I guess this is your way of refusing me?”

“No,” Sienna said, momentarily stunned. “No, you’re a good person.”

“But just not the one you like.” Cedric’s smile turned bitter. “Is that it?”

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Not ready to give up yet, Cedric quickly added before Sienna could respond, “I get it, you can’t force feelings. But there’s such a thing as love at first sight, and then there’s love that grows over time. We’ve never really tried being together.

“Maybe if we gave it a shot, you’d start seeing me differently. Sienna, what do you say? You don’t hate me, do you?”

Sienna paused, taken aback. His confession was so pure, so passionate, so bold like a young man throwing caution to the wind, not caring about the consequences. It almost reminded her of the person she had been when she was twenty.

Sighing lightly, Sienna had no choice but to remind him, “Cedric, does your family know about this?”

‘Cedric blinked, taken off guard. He opened his mouth, then admitted. “Not yet.”

Just as she had suspected. Sienna turned the glass of water in her hand slowly, locking eyes with him.

“If what you’re looking for is just a ‘memory,‘Cedric… then I won’t turn you down.”

He had helped her more than once. He was a warm presence in her life.

For his sake, she wouldn’t mind spending a little time with him, becoming a ‘passing figure’in each other’s lives.

She wasn’t some old–fashioned, conservative type. She didn’t think romance between men and women was anything to be ashamed of. But she knew Cedric wasn’t like that. He was serious.

“Sienna,” Cedric said her name with a note of urgency.

As expected, he quickly shook his head, denying it. “I’m not looking for just a fleeting thing. I want us to have a future.”

“A future?” Sienna couldn’t help but laugh bitterly, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. “We won’t have a future. Your family won’t accept me.”

‘How could I, a twice–divorced woman, possibly be right for him He is a rich, well–educated man from a prestigious family. And to make matters worse, I have Joyce,’ she wondered.

It was simply impossible.

Cedric fell silent for a moment, struggling for words. “How can you be so sure they’ll oppose it when they don’t even know yet?”

“I’m sure.” Sienna replied without hesitation, her conviction clear

“Cedric, this isn’t Fliraty, and I’m not Larsa,” she repeated

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She paused, her voice softening. “I’m truly grateful for everything you’ve done for helping me break free from my painful marriage, for helping me get back to the dance studio…”

Sienna spoke with genuine appreciation. “You’re an important friend to me. Let’s end this now, while it’s still just feelings. Before things get any more complicated.”

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Chapter 129

Before he became too deeply attached, before the wounds ran any deeper.

“Sienna…” he didn’t want to give up.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door. The waiter had arrived with their food.

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“Alright,” Sienna said, changing the subject, “Wasn’t this dinner supposed to be a celebration of my successful performance? Let’s not talk about this anymore. Let’s enjoy the meal, before itets cold.”

Cedric was left speechless, the words stuck in his throat. He knew that, at this point, there was no point in saying more. The issue wasn’t just with him–it was with his family, too.

Back at home, Cedric was deep in thought, planning his next move.

He hadn’t meant to hide his relationship with Sienna from his family. He just didn’t think it was the right time to tell them yet.

But tonight, after Sienna’s response, he felt compelled to bring it up sooner. Once he came clean to his family, she would have no reason to reject him, right?

Then, he’d confess to her properly.

Cedric sat waiting for his parents to return, thinking to himself, should I prepare a gift for the confession? What would be appropriate? The gift couldn’t be just anything.

He got up, stepped out of the room, and made his way to the basement. The basement housed a safe where the family kept their most important things.

After entering the passcode, he went inside and found his personal safe. He opened it and rummaged through until he found a box. He opened it, took a quick look, and nodded with satisfaction. “This will do.”

Taking the box, he locked the safe and headed out.

“Cedric.” Just as he was about to go upstairs, he heard someone call out him.

He turned around to find his parents, Evan Brawne and Xenia Brawne.

“Hi, Mom, Dad,” he greeted.

The couple had just returned from a gathering. It was perfect timing, as Cedric had been waiting for them.

Seeing their son, Xenia took a few steps forward, her expression a little strange as she looked him over. “You’re back early.” Then, her gaze landed on the box in his hand, and her eyes narrowed. “What’s this?”

“This?” Cedric didn’t hide it, smiling as he answered, “It’s a bracelet.”

He was going to tell them about Sienna anyway, so there was no need to keep it a secret.

Xenia furrowed her brow, recognizing it instantly. “Is this from Miranda?”

“Yes.” Cedric nodded.

“Let me see.” Without waiting for permission, Xenia grabbed the box, opened it, and found a ruby bracelet inside.

Xenia let out a frustrated laugh, the rumors she had heard at the party tonight coming to mind as she studied her son. “Come here. We need to talk,” she said.

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Chapter 129

“Oh?” Cedric looked at his father, puzzled. “Dad, what’s going on with Mom?”

Evan sighed, shaking his head. “You’ll understand soon enough.

As a father, he too wasn’t too pleased about the gossip he had overheard tonight.

The three of them sat down on the couch

“Mom, Cedric said, sitting across from his parents, still not understanding. “What’s going on? Why the serious tone?”

He would tell them about Sienna once they were done with whatever this was about.

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“Let’s talk.” Xenia placed the box on the table. “Why would you take this out? You don’t plan on wearing it yourself, do you?”

“Of course not.” Cedric chuckled, finding it a bit ironic that just as he was about to explain, they were already asking questions.

“I’m planning to give it to someone,” he said.

“Give it to someone?” Xenia shot a glance at her husband, her expression growing even darker. “Who? A girlfriend? This kind of expensive gift isn’t something a regular friend could afford.”

“Yes.” Cedric nodded but then hesitated. “Well, not yet. I’m still pursuing her.”

At this, Evan turned his face away.

Xenia’s face turned pale, tinged with anger, but she still clung to some hope. “You’ve been back for what, a few months, and already have someone you like? Tell me. Which family’s daughter is she?”

Cedric felt a little embarrassed. “She’s the adopted daughter of the Flynn family.”

‘I’m right,‘ she wondered.

“Cedric…” Xenia’s face completely lost its smile, the faint attempt at a grin vanishing completely.

“Listen closely,” she said, her tone turning serious. “I don’t approve of this.”

“What?” Cedric was stunned, clearly not expecting this reaction. “Why?”

“Why?” Xenia laughed, a bitter edge to her voice. “You ask why? The Flynn family’s adopted daughter? That Sienna is just an orphan. And even if that weren’t bad enough, she’s Josiah’s ex–wife.”

“So what?” Cedric couldn’t understand. “I like her. I want to be with her. Is that a crime?”

“Cedric.” Xenia froze for a moment, then suddenly raised her hand and slammed it on the table.

“Wake up. She doesn’t deserve you,” her tone was cold.