That sharp slap instantly drew everyone’s attention. The shattered phone screen, the vivid handprint on her skin, and Sydney’s reddened eyes told the whole story. She had clearly just been bullied.
It was a pitiful sight.
Caleb’s brow furrowed as he stepped over and picked up the phone. “What happened?”
Penelope tried to shift the blame to Sydney, but the words caught in her throat. There was no way to spin it. How could
she say Sydney had stood up for her and that she’d hit her in return? She couldn’t justify it, not even to herself.
All she could do was glare at the two women before snapping, “They were saying awful things behind my back! It was
horrible.”
The two women looked like they wanted to disappear.
Who would’ve guessed both of Caleb’s women would cause trouble? Especially Sydney. She seemed soft, someone easy
to push around–but once she spoke, she could tear you apart. From this moment on, no one would dare cross her again.
Sydney took back the phone and turned to Penelope. In the same calm, gentle tone Penelope had once used against her,
she said, “Penelope, maybe we should let it go. I might’ve misunderstood them. They were probably just joking. It’s
Bruce’s birthday party. Let’s not make a scene.
11
Despite losing her phone and taking a slap, Sydney was the first to ease the tension.
On the other hand, Penelope felt like she had a mouthful of blood she couldn’t spit out or swallow. She was furious, but
too many eyes were watching. If she lashed out now, she’d only make herself look worse.
Her nails dug into her palm as she forced a strained smile. “You’re right. Let’s not waste time on people like that.”
Caleb’s face remained unreadable. “Apologize.”
The women turned pale. In an instant, they bowed in panic. “We’re sorry, we’re really sorry.”
Penelope tried to keep her composure. “It’s fine, it’s fine-”
“I meant you,” Caleb cut her off, glancing at Sydney’s reddened hand. “Apologize to Sydney.”
Penelope’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at him. “What did you just say?”
Frowning, Caleb gently moved her behind Sydney, as if worried she might lash out again. “Syd, Penny has a bit of a
temper. I’m apologizing on her behalf.”
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Sydney had received the slap, yet her husband was apologizing on behalf of someone else. Everyone could see where his
loyalties lay.
Sydney’s clear eyes fixed on his. After a long pause, she offered a faint smile. “It’s fine.”
She tucked the broken phone into her purse, pulled out a velvet box, and walked toward Bruce. Her smile brightened,
genuine now. “Happy birthday, Bruce. There’s an emergency at my clinic, and Tiffany’s waiting outside. We’ll be leaving
now.”
With that, she took Tiffany’s hand and left.
Caleb watched her disappear through the doorway, and his chest tightened. Something about that smile didn’t sit right.
It felt like she was truly done with him.
He took a step to follow, but Penelope stumbled, twisting her ankle. She clutched his arm and winced. “Ouch! Cal, help
me.”
He paused, his eyes catching on the pendant slipping from the collar of her blouse. A flicker of realization crossed his
face.
Penelope tilted her head, still seated on the couch. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re worried Sydney’s upset?” Penelope asked gently, suppressing her own unease. “Didn’t you say she’s always so
obedient and sensible? Why would she be upset over something so trivial?”
It made sense. As Caleb replayed the scene in his mind, she hadn’t shed a tear. Her expression had stayed calm. She was
probably fine.
Outside the room, Tiffany held Sydney’s hand tightly.
“Does it hurt?” she asked, her voice full of concern.
