Begging for a Second Chance (Sienna Sloan and Jarred Sterling) novel Chapter 189

He didn't press her for answers, simply taking a seat beside her. "Don't be afraid. Owen is a fighter. He's going to be okay."

The red light above the operating room remained on, and every passing second was pure torture for Sienna.

For as long as that light stayed illuminated, her tears continued to fall.

She looked completely hollowed out.

No screaming, no fighting, not even a sound—just a silent, endless stream of tears falling like broken pearls.

Sitting next to her, Maloney could sense something was critically wrong with her mental state.

She was wound so tight she was on the verge of snapping, her eyes brimming with sheer, unadulterated despair.

He softly called her name a few times.

Sienna didn't respond. Her hollow eyes didn't even blink, as if she had completely disconnected from reality.

Just then, the frantic clatter of approaching footsteps echoed down the hallway, accompanied by a frail, fragile voice.

"Helena, Jarred, please don't be angry. I'm really fine. I don't blame Sienna, I know she was just terrified for Owen..."

Maloney turned his head.

He watched as the group hurried down the corridor.

Jarred was wearing a dark trench coat, his face a mask of absolute frost.

Behind him was Helena, her makeup immaculate but unable to hide the vitriolic rage contorting her features.

And trailing them was Celeste, looking like a traumatized survivor, her eyes red and tear tracks still fresh on her cheeks.

Jarred's gaze swept the hallway before locking onto Sienna.

His footsteps faltered for a fraction of a second, a complex storm of emotion flashing through his eyes before he picked up his pace.

But Helena beat him to it.

She practically launched herself forward. Before her wheelchair had even come to a full stop, she was already raising her hand, ready to strike Sienna.

Jarred stepped up, towering over Sienna and looking down at her.

His eyes were entirely devoid of warmth, looking at her not as a husband looks at a wife, but as a judge looks at a criminal.

"Why did you do it?"

His voice was a low, dangerous rumble. "I promised you I would bring Owen back without a scratch.

Why couldn't you trust me? Why did you go behind my back and pull a stunt that almost got everyone killed?"

Sienna, who had been dead silent this entire time, finally reacted.

She slowly raised her head. Her gaze dragged over Jarred's cold face before landing on the perfectly unharmed Celeste standing behind him, her eyes practically bleeding with derision.

"Who did I get killed? This entire kidnapping was orchestrated by Celeste! From start to finish, Owen and I are the only ones bleeding! Why?! Why is everyone pointing their fingers at me?!"

Her eyes were bloodshot as the crushing weight of her agony and fury finally erupted.