Caleb avoided Penelope’s gesture and set the box in the empty passenger seat.
“She’s young and has a sweet tooth,” he said. “Aren’t you cutting back on sugar?”
Penelope stared at him in disbelief. He looked the same–gentle, handsome, composed. But after a long silence, something clicked. Maybe his feelings had changed. He always claimed Sydney was like a sister, but perhaps he’d started falling for her without realizing it.
Her nails pressed into her palms. She no longer doubted he had feelings for Sydney.
“Are you always this nice to every friend’s little sister?” she asked softly.
“She went no contact with Julian to marry me,” Caleb said matter–of–factly. “Shouldn’t I treat her better?”
Back home, Sydney stepped out of a hot shower and was blow–drying her hair when Tiffany walked in, carrying a plate
of cherries.
She popped one into Sydney’s mouth and said, “Spill. What’s wrong?”
“Huh?”
“You didn’t look that upset, but my hawk–eyes say otherwise.”
Sydney gave a quiet laugh. Life wasn’t so bad. Alan and Eliana treated her like family, and Tiffany had always been her
rock.
She turned off the dryer. “Guess who I ran into after leaving Alan’s?”
“Who?”
“Caleb and Penelope.” Sydney pressed her lips together. “He went to smooth things over for her and asked Alan to take
her on as a student.”
A knot tightened in her chest. She hadn’t expected him to use her as a bridge to help the woman he loved. It wasn’t sadness. More like quiet frustration.
“That’s like a slap in the face. What is Caleb thinking? The divorce isn’t even finalized yet. Doesn’t that seem a little bold?” Tiffany scowled.
It was a slap. Sydney hated how much it stung. Still, telling Tiffany made it easier to bear. She let out a breath and said,
1/2
3:40 AM Sun 24 Aug
Chapter 41
“Probably only Penelope knows what’s going through his head.”
“And the divorce agreement?” Tiffany asked.
“I checked today. They said it’s nearly done,” Sydney replied.
“You sure she’s not lying?” Tiffany pressed.
“She’s not,” Sydney said.
Adeline came across as calm, but Sydney knew she was sharp–and likely in no hurry for a daughter–in–law. If
anything, she probably wanted this over even more than Sydney did.
Just then, Tiffany’s phone buzzed. She hurried out to take the call.
78%
+15 BONUS
Sydney picked up the blow dryer again, but her phone vibrated. She flinched at the caller ID. Her fingers traced shaky
lines across her palm before she answered. “Hello? Madam Sterling?”
The voice was cold and impatient. “Why didn’t you answer sooner?”
Sydney spoke softly. “I was showering.”
“Sydney,” Eloise cut in, her voice cool and mocking. “Being a little late is one thing. Not answering at all? That’s
something else.”
Sydney’s grip tightened until her knuckles turned white. “Madam Sterling, I didn’t—”
“Enough,” Eloise said, her tone softening. “We’re having a family dinner tomorrow. Be home early. Victor just flew in
and he’s been asking about you.”
Sydney flinched as if shocked. The phone slipped from her hand and hit the floor with a dull thud. When she picked it up
again, the line was dead.
She stared at the ceiling and breathed deeply, trying to calm the turmoil inside her. But the tension only spread.
Finally, she called Caleb.
He picked up right away. “Hey, Syd. What’s wrong?”
She could hear Penelope urging him to eat fruit in the background.
Keeping her voice steady, Sydney asked, “There’s a family dinner at the Sterling estate tomorrow night. Can you come
with me?”
2/2
8:40 AM Sun 24 Aug
Chapter 42
78%
