Begging for a Second Chance (Sienna Sloan and Jarred Sterling) novel Chapter 156

Arthur asked softly, "Now, it's this old man's turn to beg you. Can you... give him, and your marriage, one last chance? Not long. Just three months.

If you still insist on a divorce after three months, I will personally escort you to the civil registry office. No arguments."

The room was so dead silent that the rhythmic beeping of the monitors seemed deafening.

Sienna lowered her eyes, staring at her own tightly clasped hands.

If she refused, it would make sense logically, but in the eyes of the Sterling family, she would cement her status as a cold-blooded, ungrateful wretch.

If she agreed... it meant enduring three more months of this toxic entanglement with Jarred.

And she was utterly drained. She had no desire to waste another ounce of her soul on a dead marriage.

Seconds ticked by, each one feeling like she was walking barefoot over hot coals.

Jarred's gaze remained burning into her.

The signature mocking smirk was entirely gone, replaced by an intense, suffocating stillness.

It suddenly hit him that this might be the first time in his entire life he was this desperate for someone to say yes.

Reading the profound conflict on Sienna's face, Arthur wheezed, "Kiddo, I know this boy is a complete bastard. I know you've suffered a great deal while I was away.

But I've always been an excellent judge of character. It's not that you two aren't meant to be; you just haven't had the right opportunity.

But I don't want to force you. If you really can't stand the thought... *cough! cough!*"

Before Arthur could finish the sentence, a violent coughing fit seized him.

Jarred instantly moved to rub his back and ease his breathing.

Sienna looked up at the old man's flushed, hollow cheeks.

But it was his eyes—deeply lined with age and pain—that broke her. Even as he hacked violently, unable to string a sentence together, he stared at her with such agonizing hope, waiting for her answer.

Hearing Arthur's voice, Jarred finally looked up, answering with a slow, drawn-out, "...Sure."

Out in the hallway, Helena had her ear practically glued to the door, absorbing every single word.

She slapped her thigh in horror and wildly spun her wheelchair around, speeding toward Eleanor's room.

"Mom! We have a disaster..."

After saying her goodbyes to Arthur, Sienna stepped out of the room.

Jarred followed close behind. He was clearly in high spirits, a faint smirk playing on his lips as he glanced down at her. "Let's go. I'll take you home."

Sienna didn't stop walking. She didn't even grant him a glance out of the corner of her eye. The air around her was practically frigid enough to freeze time.

She kept her eyes locked straight ahead, her voice even colder than her demeanor. "I only agreed to a three-month extension so an old, sick man wouldn't die with regrets."

She stopped abruptly, turning to look him dead in the eye, her gaze razor-sharp. "We are still getting a divorce, Jarred. If you don't want this to end horribly for you, I suggest you remember your place and keep your distance."