“What about Sydney? You think she’s just average?” Penelope asked.
Caleb didn’t know how to answer.
Since their marriage, he and Sydney had barely spent time together, let alone worked side by side. All he really knew was that she had been quietly working at the clinic for the past few years, never drawing much attention. If anyone there praised her; it would probably be because she was Marcus‘ junior.
Recalling the scene at the restaurant, Caleb didn’t wait for Sydney to return home. He called her directly.
She picked up almost immediately.
“What is it?” Her voice was calm and distant, enough to throw him off.
“Don’t you think you owe me an explanation for what happened at dinner tonight?”
“Explain what?” she asked with a soft, cool laugh. “Why I exposed the fact that my husband cheated on me? Or was it something else?”
She hadn’t expected him to have the nerve to call and question her.
Caleb frowned. Something felt different about her. The first few times she snapped at him, he’d assumed it was just anger. But this didn’t feel the same.
“I told you, Penny and I aren’t what you think. Are you really not going to stop until you drive her away?”
“Exactly,” Sydney said, dropping the last of her polite veneer. Her voice sharpened, every word colder and more precise. “I won’t stop until she’s gone. So? Has she left yet?”
She had swallowed that bitterness for too long. She had tried to let it go. All she wanted was the divorce. Nothing else mattered anymore.
What she hadn’t expected was for Caleb to turn it around, act like the victim, demand answers and question her. As if she were the one at fault.
“You’d better forget it!” he snapped.
This was the first time she’d truly gone toe–to–toe with him, and Caleb barely recognized the woman on the other end of the line. He was furious, but he reminded himself that she was still young.
Forcing down his anger, he softened his tone. “Sydney, she’s just different to me.”
Sydney didn’t flinch. Her voice dripped with sarcasm. “fferent how? Because it’s hotter when the little brother–in–law hooks up with the big sister–in–law?”
“Shut up! Are you insane?” Caleb hadn’t expected those words from her. A vein pulsed in his temple. “II living in this house is so unbearable for you, fine! Let’s get divorced!”
He hadn’t even realized what he’d said until it was already out. And by then, it was too late.
On the other end of the line, Sydney paused for a momer, then hung up.
Caleb walked over and cracked open a window, trying to get a breath of fresh air. Before he could, someone knocked loudly on the study door.
1/3
Chapter 72
+15 BONUS
“Uncle Caleb! Mommy’s washing fruit. We’re going downstairs to eat!”
He opened the door and gave Timothy’s hair a quick ruffle. “Go on ahead. I’ll just wash my hands.”
“Okay!” Timothy nodded and dashed off. He loved the house now. That mean lady hadn’t shown up in ages. Everything felt right again.
After washing up, Caleb was about to turn off the tap when he noticed something by the sink. It was a pendant.
His expression softened.
Earlier, Sydney had asked him what was so “different.” Maybe this was it.
He ran his fingers over the smooth pendant, an ache rising in his chest he couldn’t quite name. Then he froze. Leaning in, he examined the carving on the back. name had been etched into the metal: Precious.
“Cal, I live on Swetham Road! You better come visit me sometime, okay?” Precious had told him.
He hadn’t called Penelope that nickname in years.
Just then, Penelope appeared in the doorway holding a fruit platter. She frowned. “I thought maybe you weren’t feeling well after drinking so much.”
At dinner, once everyone realized who he was, the toasts had come nonstop.
She spotted the pendant in his hand, tilted her head, and lifted her chin. “I forgot to put that back on after my shower. Help me with it?”
“Sure.”
Caleb stepped forward and bent slightly to clasp the chain around her neck. His voice dropped, low and hoarse. “Precious, I’m just glad I found you again.”
Penelope’s eyes narrowed. The words slipped out before she could stop them. “Precious? Who’s Precious?! You’ve never called me that.”
Chapter 73
+15 BONUS
Chapter 73
