Begging for a Second Chance (Sienna Sloan and Jarred Sterling) novel Chapter 24

Jarred stood rooted to the spot, watching the two of them walk away together. A restless, inexplicable fury began to boil in his blood.

Noticing his distraction, Celeste rubbed her stinging cheek and leaned in, feigning wide-eyed innocence. "Jarred, what's gotten into Maloney today? He usually never interferes with how we interact, but today... he was acting so protective of Sienna."

The words drove like a spike straight into Jarred's weakest nerve.

If someone as simple-minded as Celeste could tell that Maloney treated Sienna differently, did those two really think they were fooling anyone?

By the elevators, Maloney caught up with Sienna.

"Sienna," his voice was smooth and reassuring as always. "What exactly happened between you and Jarred?"

Sienna paused, offering a faint, dismissive smile. "It's nothing."

Maloney studied the deep exhaustion pooling in her eyes and lowered his voice. "If he's mistreating you, you can tell me. I haven't forgotten what Grandpa told us."

Sienna was taken aback, memories flashing to her very first days with the Sterlings. Grandpa had held the hands of his three grandsons and repeatedly warned them, "Sienna is part of our family now. None of you are allowed to bully her, and you certainly can't let outsiders disrespect her."

Back then, Jarred had looked completely checked out, while Maloney was the only one who offered a solemn nod of agreement.

"Thank you, Maloney." Sienna's smile reached her eyes. "But there's less than half a month left anyway. Whether I'm being mistreated or not doesn't really matter anymore."

As the elevator doors slowly slid shut, Maloney watched Sienna's composed face and suddenly remembered.

Her five-year contract marriage with the Sterling family was rapidly approaching its expiration date.

She had been counting down the days all along.

In the final second before the doors closed completely, Maloney spoke again. "Sienna, what I just said stands forever."

Sienna blinked in surprise, but before she could process the weight of his words, the elevator began its ascent.

A quiet wave of gratitude washed over her.

In the freezing, calculated world of the Sterling family, Maloney was one of the only two people who had ever shown her genuine kindness.

She had zero interest in getting into a screaming match, but Jarred was pushing her past her breaking point.

"Not everyone is like you two, parading your little romance around like you need the whole world's validation. You act like the universe owes you a grand romantic backdrop."

"Us?" Jarred's expression instantly darkened. "Who am I parading a romance with? How many times do I have to tell you? Celeste is practically my sister!"

"Your sister?" Sienna looked at him like he had just told the most absurd joke on earth. "Do brothers and sisters constantly plaster the tabloids together? Do sisters completely lack boundaries, constantly demanding their brothers hold them and coddle them in public?"

Jarred opened his mouth, completely choked on his own words.

Watching his sudden inability to formulate an excuse, Sienna let out a sharp, cynical laugh. "Honestly, you should count your lucky stars you two don't share any blood."

"Sienna!"

Fueled by a blinding rage, Jarred viciously clamped his hand around her wrist.