Begging for a Second Chance (Sienna Sloan and Jarred Sterling) novel Chapter 85

Jarred clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white.

They were clearly husband and wife, the most intimate of relations by law.

Yet in her eyes, he didn't even count as an attachment.

He desperately pushed down the surge of bitterness welling up in his chest and raised his eyes. "A high-risk mission like this requires a family member's informed consent. Why wasn't I notified?"

Looking at his reaction, the corner of Jonathan's mouth twitched—whether in mockery or something else, it was hard to tell.

He let out a cold laugh, his gaze filled with sarcasm. "Didn't Sienna call you? You were the one who hung up on her."

Jarred narrowed his eyes.

The phone call Sienna had made to him not long ago instantly flashed through his mind.

Her voice had sounded a bit weak then, saying she had a document that needed his signature.

He hadn't given it a second thought, assuming she was talking about the divorce agreement. He impatiently told her he didn't have time and hung up.

So it turned out, it wasn't the divorce agreement.

He had been the one to push her away with his own hands.

Jarred's eyes were clouded with gloom, though his face remained utterly unreadable.

He fell silent for two seconds before giving a slight nod, his voice returning to its initial politeness. "Sorry for the intrusion."

With that, he turned and took large strides toward the exit.

"Mr. Sterling."

Jonathan's voice rang out from behind.

Jarred's footsteps halted, but he didn't look back.

"I heard you have a woman you'd protect with your life," Jonathan said slowly. "Then you'd better protect her well, and step aside so another man can protect Sienna."

Jarred turned his head slightly, his gaze piercing.

Jonathan met his stare, refusing to back down a single inch.

The two men locked eyes for a couple of seconds.

Jarred knew that Jonathan was the person Sienna respected the most.

Sienna froze for a second as an unforgettable image instantly surfaced in her mind.

She closed her eyes to shake off the memory, pulled up the hood of her raincoat, and offered a faint smile. "No."

Lynn waited for a couple of seconds, and when no further explanation came, she couldn't help but ask, "Dr. Sloan, aren't you scared?"

Sienna's hand paused on her strap.

Scared?

She thought about it, but she honestly didn't feel much of anything.

Being afraid was a luxury reserved for those who had loved ones to worry about.

She didn't answer the question, simply saying, "Let's go."

The command center had assigned them a local village chief to act as their guide.

The village chief held a map, looking grim as he approached Captain Lawson and Sienna.

"Captain Lawson, Dr. Sloan, your group is responsible for Eagle's Point. It's the most dangerous zone out there. The mountain path has already collapsed twice, the communication signal is spotty at best, and heavy machinery can't get in. We'll have to rely entirely on hiking."