Chapter 58
Just as Sydney opened the car door, Penelope’s voice rang out from the front of the lot. “Syd, what a coincidence. Did
you somehow know Cal was giving me a car and come all this way just to see it?”
Sydney frowned and turned.
Penelope wasn’t alone. Caleb stood beside her in a sharp iron–gray three–piece suit. He looked poised and refined, but
the way he watched Sydney held a trace of scrutiny.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
Sydney rarely lost her temper, but she was close now. Maybe she should’ve checked the almanac before leaving home.
Who would’ve thought picking up a car would make her look like a stalker?
Her slender fingers curled slightly as she tapped the hood. “Picking up a car. Isn’t it obvious?”
“Tired of the ones at home?” Caleb’s tone softened into its usual gentle cadence. “If you wanted something new, you should’ve told me. I could’ve had Gordon deliver it to the house.”
Gordon Hall was his assistant. For the past three years, most of the luxury bags and jewelry in her wardrobe had come
from Gordon–always timed for birthdays or anniversaries.
More often than not, Gordon had probably picked them out too. In some ways, he had felt more like her husband than
Caleb ever did.
And Caleb? He was Penelope’s husband.
The sales director hurried out to greet them, full of flattery. “Mr. Hampton, you’re here!”
He turned to Penelope with a bright smile. “Mrs. Hampton, your car is in the showroom. The pickup ceremony is ready, just as Mr. Hampton requested. You’re going to love it!”
‘Mrs. Hampton…‘ Sydney turned quietly and got into her car.
“Sydney.” Caleb stepped forward and grabbed the door, stopping her. “They misunderstood my relationship with
Penny. Don’t overthink it.”
Sometimes, Sydney couldn’t understand Caleb at all. How could someone be this hypocritical? Or maybe it was just part of being a man. He was the one who couldn’t let go of Penelope. The one always showing up with her. But in front of Sydney, he still wouldn’t admit it.
Did he think she was some obedient little fool? Someone easy to lie to and easier to appease? Why else would he think
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Chapter 58
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“Cal, you don’t owe me an explanation. You owe them one,” she said coolly and tipped her chin toward the cluster of gawking sales staff. “They’re the ones who misunderstood your relationship with your sister–in–law. Not me.”
“Sydney…” His voice stayed gentle, coaxing. “If I explain now, they’ll see Penny differently. It’s not worth it, okay?”
“Okay. Let’s not.” Her voice was flat. She tugged at the car door he still held. “Can you let go now? Go keep your sister-
in–law company. Don’t keep her waiting.”
The showroom’s limited–edition sports car and the cascade of 999 Floyd roses–everything was finally being claimed
by the woman it had all been arranged for.
Sydney didn’t need to ask. She already knew who had planned it.
Caleb’s gaze lingered on her face, as if trying to read whether her smile was real or not. “So, I should go?”
“Of course.”
They were divorced. Whether he stayed or left, what difference did it make?
Still, even though her tone was light and her expression calm as always, Caleb felt something was off.
He had always liked how obedient she was. But now she was being too obedient, calm, and ready to let him go.
Suddenly, it didn’t feel right. His chest tightened like a sponge soaked through.
Without thinking, he said, “I’m not going. I’ll take you home first.”
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