After dealing with the young women in the sitting room Caleb slowly grasped the full weight of the
situation.
No sooner had he stepped out than his mother, Adeline, approached him. “What do you think of those young women tonight?”
“What do you mean by, ‘What do I think‘?” Caleb asked, already knowing where this was going.
Adeline’s expression turned serious. “Don’t play dumb. You’re my son. Don’t think I don’t know how sharp you are.”
Caleb hesitated. He didn’t want to provoke an argument but was no longer willing to hide how he felt either. “Mom, you’re interfering in my personal life. It would be better if you stayed out of it.”
His tone was cooler than usual, but Adeline didn’t take offense. She replied evenly, “If you don’t want me involved, then what are you planning to do?”
Caleb frowned. He had no plans. Just as he had told Sydney, she was the only one he considered his wife. Although she had been difficult lately, he could admit that much of it was his fault. He understood that a young woman in love might lash out when she felt jealous or ignored.
However, his silence seemed to worry Adeline. She frowned and snapped, “Are you thinking of bringing Penelope into the Hampton family as a second wife? Two of my sons married to the same woman? What do you think people will say?”
The idea alone unsettled her so much that it had begun to keep her up at night.
Caleb let out a soft sigh. “Mom, what are you even talking about? I already have a wife. How could I possibly consider marrying someone else?”
Adeline looked away, unprepared for his response but unwilling to back off. “You’ve never thought about divorcing Sydney and marrying Penelope?”
“Of course not. I know what’s right,” he said firmly. “Don’t arrange anything like that again. And stop speaking to Sydney behind my back.”
Adeline hesitated, then gave a reluctant nod. “Sure.”
Caleb studied her face. Something didn’t sit right. “Are you hiding something from me?”
“No,” she said flatly.
But in her heart, she had already made up her mind. Sydney had to go. The moment Sydney demanded financial support and refused to negotiate, Adeline had lost all respect for her.
A woman who chose self–interest over dignity would never support her son’s future. She would only drag him down.
…
Once Victor left, Sydney leaned heavily against the wall and let out a long, weary breath. Her nerves had been on edge all day. Now that the tension had passed, she realized she had clenched her fist so tightly that her palm was bleeding.
1/2
Chapter 87
+15 BONUS
Every time she saw Victor, those old memories surged back–trauma, violation, fear–all flashing like waking nightmares.
She forced herself to breathe until the panic subsided. After that numbing chill passed, she straightened her dress and returned to the hall. She reminded herself why she came tonight.
As soon as she entered, a maid acting on Adeline’s orders guided her upstairs to the study.
Adeline sat inside, pouring tea. She glanced at Sydney. “Where did you go? Your legs look frozen.”
“The hall was stifling,” Sydney said calmly. “I stepped into the courtyard for some air.”
Adeline slid a teacup toward her. “Try this. Fresh from the garden this morning.”
The aroma alone offered a brief comfort. Raised by Julian, who had a discerning palate, Sydney had grown familiar with many varieties of fine tea and coffee.
She took a small sip. “Where are the divorce papers?”
The confrontation had already happened. There was no point in pretending otherwise.
Adeline paused, then set her teacup down. “I meant to give them to you today. But now, I think it’s safer to wait.”
Sydney frowned. “What do you mean?”
Everything she had done tonight made it clear she was here to sever all ties with the Hampton family.
