Chapter 23
‘Never shared a bed…‘ As a married woman, Adeline knew exactly what that phrase implied.
“You’re not messing with me, are you?” she asked, disbelief heavy in her voice.
Sydney looked up, her small, delicate face dim and tired. Her voice remained soft. “How could I joke about something like this? Mom, other than divorce, I can’t think of any way
out.”
Adeline’s anger boiled, but not at Sydney. Her fury targeted her son and Penelope–one was oblivious, the other selfish to the core. Still, at this point, even as a strong–willed mother- in–law, she could not stop Sydney from divorcing.
What could she say? Her own son had wasted three years of someone else’s life. Sydney carried the title of a married woman but had never truly lived as a wife.
Adeline drew a deep breath, trying to steady herself, and patted Sydney’s hand. “I skimmed the divorce agreement. You’re only asking for the apartment on Aurum Road?”
Sydney nodded slightly. “If that’s not okay, I can let it go.”
She knew her goal today was to finalize the divorce. With the 3.2 million dollars she had received recently, plus her own savings, she had more than enough to live comfortably.
To outsiders, it might seem she had worn a multicolored crown of humiliation for three years and walked away with nothing–a joke in elite circles.
But she knew the truth. In these three years, she had lived freer than ever in the Sterling family. Judging by how often she had been punished and beaten, she had no regrets.
Adeline regarded her seriously. “You’ve got it all wrong. If word gets out, people will say our family mistreated our daughter–in–law. How about this? Keep the apartment, and I’ll give you another, also on Aurum Road. One for you to live in, and the other to rent out.”
Sydney blinked in surprise. Apartments on Aurum Road were single–unit–per–floor luxury
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Chapter 23
spaces.
Their sale price aside, renting one brought in at least five figures a month.
The Hampton family had treated her decently, but they never shared a deep emotional
bond. Logically, they had no reason to give her another apartment for free.
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Sydney was still processing when Adeline spoke again, her tone sincere. “Syd, I know growing up in the Sterling family wasn’t easy. Even if Madam Sterling doted on you, life must have been tough. That’s why we all tried our best to treat you well when you came to live with us. Don’t you think so?”
“Mom, you, Grandpa, and Grandma have all been very kind to me,” Sydney replied.
That was true. The Hampton family had no obligation to treat her like one of their own. The fact that they had treated her decently meant a lot, especially Benjamin, who had always shown her genuine affection.
Adeline nodded, pleased. “I knew it. When it comes to being considerate and selfless, you’re a hundred times better than Penelope.”
She poured a cup of coffee and spoke slowly. “Oh, Sydney, I have a small request. One I
wouldn’t ask unless I had no other choice.”
Sydney accepted the cup. “Go ahead.”
“I agree to the divorce,” Adeline said plainly, “but for now, can you keep it from Caleb?”
Sydney hesitated. “What do you mean?”
“I’ll have the divorce certificate processed,” Adeline said firmly. “But for now, only you and I will know about it. I’ll start looking for a suitable new match for Caleb. Once I find someone, we’ll make the divorce public.”
The message was clear. This was about closing the door before Penelope could wedge herself in. They wanted to avoid a scandal embarrassing the Hampton family right after the divorce.
That second Aurum Road apartment was hush money–payment for silence until the new
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Chapter 25
Hampton daughter–in–law was confirmed.
Sydney wanted a clean break. She hated loose ends.
She looked at Adeline with uncertainty. “Mom, I understand, but
“Sydney,” Adeline interrupted gently, “this is a win–win.”
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