Sydney 100
Chapter 100
Caleb stayed so busy that he often forgot he still had a wife at home.
Sydney paused, then turned back to look at him. “How did you find out?”
She didn’t bother denying it.
Caleb wasn’t surprised, yet a strange pressure filled his chest, making it hard to breathe.
“I guessed,” he forced out.
Sydney smiled faintly. “I thought you’d never notice.”
He stared at her. The tightness in his chest made his brow furrow. “Am I really that incompetent as a husband?”
“You’re very competent,” Sydney said, her smile deepening. “Just only when it comes to Penelope.‘
He was not a good husband, but he was an excellent lover. She meant what she said.
When the words reached Caleb’s ears, they felt more like a slap in the face. He exhaled slowly, trying to ease the pressure in his chest. “I’ll make sure she moves out soon. When that’s done, I’ll come pick you up.”
“We’ll see,” Sydney replied, leaving the rest unsaid.
Those words made Caleb feel even more suffocated. He almost panicked and grabbed her wrist. “What does that mean? You’re not planning to come back?”
Sydney wanted to nod and admit it. The yet–to–be–obtained divorce papers still shackled her, though.
“No. You’re overthinking,” she replied. “Alright, Tiff only gave me 20 minutes. I better go.”
She pulled her wrist back gently, adjusted her cashmere coat, and strode away.
Caleb sat in his car. Sydney’s calm and almost indifferent gaze remained fresh in his mind. She had not always been like this.
Unfamiliar anxiety swept through him. No matter what Sydney was thinking, he was still her legal husband. The thought settled his heart a bit.
As long as he withheld his consent, she would always be his Mrs. Hampton.
…
The restaurant sat across the street from the Sterling Corp. building.
Sydney went to the company’s underground garage to get her car, then drove home.
She was still unlocking the fingerprint lock when she heard a commotion inside the house. The moment she opened the door, a loud bang exploded beside her ear.
Multicolored confetti fluttered through the air.
Startled, Sydney looked up just in time to see Tiffany toss the party popper aside and run toward her, throwing her arms around her. “Babe! Congrats on single life again!”
1/3
Chapter 100
+15 BONUS
Glancing at the bright colorful decorations in the living room, Sydney laughed out loud. It looked less like a divorce celebration and more like someone was getting married.
“You’ve been working on this all day?” she asked.
“Not just me.” Tiffany pointed toward the kitchen and gave her a knowing wink. “Marcus helped too. He’s been here since the afternoon.”
All three of them were alumni of Jouleston University. When Tiffany had just started at her law firm, Sydney had introduced her to Marcus.
According to Tiffany, anyone with a pulse was a potential client. Someone like Marcus with family wealth to boot? Definitely a premium one. They had grown familiar quickly after that.
Sydney looked a little surprised. “No wonder he didn’t show up at the lab today.”
“Of course not. Marcus knows how to prioritize,” Tiffany said meaningfully.
Sydney shot her a sideways glance. “Don’t start matchmaking again.”
She had married up with the Hampton family. Marrying into the Shepard family would be a similar scenario.
Her relationship with Marcus had always stayed in a good place–not too close, not too distant. She liked it
that way. Just the right amount of comfort.
“Syd,” said Marcus.
He walked out of the kitchen carrying a dish, apron still on, looking every bit like the sunny, dependable older brother next door. “Tiffany told me you finally got your divorce papers. Congratulations.”
