Begging for a Second Chance (Sienna Sloan and Jarred Sterling) novel Chapter 153

The doctor's words effectively shut Eleanor and Helena down. No matter how furious they were, they could only watch helplessly as Sienna pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The moment the door clicked shut, low murmurs erupted in the hallway.

Helena made no effort to hide her jealousy. "A woman who is about to divorce Jarred... what right does she have to monopolize Dad's attention?"

With that, she rolled her wheelchair closer to the door and, acting as if it were a complete accident, nudged it open just a crack.

Inside the room, sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting a warm glow on the side of Sienna's pale face.

Arthur was propped up against the headboard, his breathing slightly labored.

A glimmer of light sparked in his clouded eyes the moment he saw her.

Sienna walked up to the bed, her gaze sweeping over his frail, sunken features, and a sudden lump formed in her throat.

After five years apart, the once vibrant old man who had always slipped her extra treats had withered away to this.

"Have a seat, dear," Arthur said, raising a trembling, bony hand to gesture at the chair beside him.

Sienna sat down, opening her mouth to ask about his health.

But Arthur frowned, glancing toward the door, and spoke in a serious tone. "The atmosphere out there is tense. Did something happen before you walked in?"

Sienna pressed her lips together, her fingers instinctively curling into fists.

She knew he had just woken up and was incredibly fragile. She hadn't wanted to bring up the divorce now, terrified the shock might be too much for him.

Seeing her hesitate, Arthur looked back toward the door, his tone growing sharper. "I know they won't tell me the truth. That's why I'm asking you. You wouldn't lie to me, would you?"

"I..." Eleanor was instantly rendered speechless.

Arthur let out a soft scoff. He looked at Sienna's calm profile, then at the crowd hovering by the door, and the truth became glaringly obvious. "It seems that during my years in a coma, none of you have treated her with any basic decency."

"Dad, you're being biased!" Helena couldn't help but complain. "My Jarred is such a wonderful man, and he's been trapped by her for five years. Who could possibly be happy about that?

A manipulative woman like her... no one could ever get along with her!"

Her words hung in the air, greeted by absolute silence. No one offered a rebuttal, clearly agreeing with her assessment.

Arthur's gaze slowly shifted to Jarred, who was leaning casually against the doorframe. "And what about you, Jarred?"

Jarred remained silent, his predatory eyes fixed intensely on Sienna.