Begging for a Second Chance (Sienna Sloan and Jarred Sterling) novel Chapter 65

"Hans, apologies for calling so late."

Celeste's voice was perfectly polite, yet a malicious smirk plastered her face. "I have some instructions regarding Owen's surgery."

Hans's tone instantly turned respectful. "Please tell me what you need, Ms. Carlyle."

But Celeste didn't continue.

She looked up, aiming a provocative stare at Sienna while pulling the phone slightly further away.

"Sienna, want me to keep going? Shall I tell Hans to cancel the surgery so you can walk right out of here?"

Sienna's heart seized violently, the pain so intense she could barely breathe.

She knew Celeste was ruthless, but she never imagined her depravity would extend to using an innocent life as leverage—using the person she loved most as a bargaining chip.

It was despicable to the core.

She wanted nothing more than to lunge forward and tear that hypocritical face to shreds, but she didn't dare risk it. Not even a fraction of a percent.

The silence in the room was terrifying, punctuated only by the slow, taunting rhythm of Celeste's breathing.

Suddenly, she started counting down.

Her slow, deliberate words fell like a death sentence, hammering into Sienna's chest.

"Three..."

Sienna clenched her fists.

She thought of Owen lying in the hospital bed, a tiny oxygen mask strapped to his face, still trying to smile at her.

She thought of how he would comfort her before every round of chemo, saying, "I'm not in pain, Sienna," only to cry quietly in the dead of night.

She thought of what he had promised her: "I'm all grown up now, Sienna. It's my turn to protect you. No one is allowed to bully you anymore."

But he was just a fifteen-year-old boy.

Inside, Helena Sterling sat by the edge of the bed, massaging the older woman's legs.

Seeing Sienna walk in, both of their faces immediately darkened.

Sienna, however, acted entirely oblivious. She stood numbly in place, her eyes hollow, like a puppet devoid of a soul.

Catching their expressions, Celeste walked over with a bright smile, greeted Helena, and sat down by Grandmother's side.

"Grandmother, Sienna said she wanted to care for you personally to make amends. Didn't you just say you were having a headache? Let Sienna give you a massage to help you relax."

Grandmother immediately sneered, her tone dripping with venom. "No need. I couldn't possibly handle that. If she massages me, I'm afraid it'll shave years off my life."

Helena chimed in with her own snide, acidic remarks. "Exactly. You could have lived for a few more decades, but if she touches you, you might only have minutes left. Who would dare let her serve them?"

Celeste smiled and smoothed things over. "Don't say that. Jarred already laid down the law. Sienna is going to be very obedient this time.

"She'll do whatever you tell her to do. If you don't believe me, test her out."