\u201cSydney\u2026\u201d Her name slipped out before he could stop himself.<\/p>\n
She smiled suddenly, her voice soft and light. \u201cRelax. Why are you so tense? I know you and Penelope have known each other a long time. It\u2019s natural you\u2019re still used to calling her by her nickname.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2026<\/p>\n
As the black Maybach disappeared down the driveway, Sydney slowly leaned back on the sofa. She hadn\u2019t expected herself to say that.<\/p>\n
She\u2019d always been good at playing the sweet, obedient wife. All she needed was Caleb\u2019s guilt and remorse to secure a clean divorce. So why had she thrown it off course with such a pointless question?<\/p>\n
She tilted her head back and stared at the ceiling. Her eyes burned. Before she could unravel the thought, her phone rang. It was Tiffany.<\/p>\n
\u201cSyd, wanna go out for drinks tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure,\u201d she said quickly, then added, \u201cBut a bit later. I\u2019ve got a wellness livestream. Should be done by ten.\u201d<\/p>\n
The livestreams were part of the clinic\u2019s outreach. They weren\u2019t technically her job, but she had filled in once when a colleague was out, and the feedback had been excellent.<\/p>\n
That same colleague had shown her how to use a beauty filter\u2014so dramatic, her late mother might not have recognized her. She looked good on camera, and her soft voice had a calming effect. Since then, the clinic had started assigning her to the streams regularly.<\/p>\n
\u201cCool. I\u2019ll swing by after work to pick you up. Should be perfect timing,\u201d Tiffany said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n
They chatted a bit longer. Sydney felt noticeably better and went back to her room to review her notes for the night\u2019s segment.<\/p>\n
One undeniable perk of being married to Caleb was freedom. He never meddled in her business. The Sterling family couldn\u2019t monitor her as closely either\u2014not with the Hampton name behind her.<\/p>\n
Quietly, she had continued building her medical career and held regular consultations at the clinic. After three years, her savings were stronger than she\u2019d expected.<\/p>\n
\u2026<\/p>\n
The stream wrapped up right on time, at 10:00 p.m.<\/p>\n
Sydney came downstairs in high spirits just as Tiffany pulled up outside.<\/p>\n
As she slid into the car, Tiffany raised a brow. \u201cSomeone\u2019s in a good mood. Divorce going well?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPretty well.\u201d Sydney smiled. \u201cWorth celebrating.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2026<\/p>\n
The bar was packed, but Tiffany had a reserved spot thanks to her connection with the owner.<\/p>\n
By the time Tiffany returned from the restroom, Sydney had already started drinking.<\/p>\n
Tiffany laughed. \u201cDoes Caleb know you drink?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course not.\u201d Sydney tilted her head slightly, a faint dimple appearing. \u201cJust like I didn\u2019t know his heart belonged to Pen\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cKiss! Kiss!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on, make a move!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCal, you\u2019re not going home tonight, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
The noise from the dance floor drowned her out. She turned toward the commotion, and her smile froze.<\/p>\n
Tiffany followed her gaze, her expression darkening. \u201cIs that Caleb?\u201d<\/p>\n
In the middle of the crowd, under flashing lights, Caleb stood with his arms around a woman in a striking red dress. His sharp features were unmistakable. The always-composed Caleb had a rare softness in his eyes.<\/p>\n
Tiffany stared. \u201cWait, his great love is Penelope Monroe?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, shocking, right?\u201d Sydney drained her glass. Her voice had turned hoarse. \u201cI didn\u2019t see it coming either.\u201d<\/p>\n
Just then, Penelope rose on tiptoe and kissed him. Caleb reflexively pulled her closer. They looked like the perfect couple.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoa!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s good!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCal\u2019s not going home tonight!\u201d<\/p>\n
The same crowd that used to call Sydney \u201cMrs. Hampton\u201d now cheered them on.<\/p>\n
Tiffany stood abruptly, but Sydney grabbed her wrist. \u201cDon\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou think I\u2019m stupid?\u201d Tiffany snapped a few photos, then pulled Sydney up. \u201cI know you have your plan, but this place is gross. Let\u2019s go somewhere else.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2026<\/p>\n
Sydney was a total lightweight. She didn\u2019t wake up until late the next afternoon. Her head pounded and her eyes were puffy. She blinked a few times before she believed the 700,000-dollar deposit in her bank account wasn\u2019t a hangover-induced hallucination.<\/p>\n
She rubbed her eyes and checked the sender. It was Penelope.<\/p>\n
Memories from the night before came rushing back. \u2018So she really did transfer it.\u2019<\/p>\n
Penelope must have been terrified of Dorothy. Still, given how things had played out last night, that money had probably come from Caleb.<\/p>\n
Half the marital assets were hers. She felt fully entitled to it. Phone in hand, Sydney went downstairs and poured herself a glass of honey water.<\/p>\n
Nancy spotted her pallor. \u201cMs. Wilson, want something to eat? I\u2019ve got medicinal stew, or I can make you some chicken soup first.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sydney had always customized recipes for Nancy based on her and Caleb\u2019s health needs, year-round.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy stomach\u2019s queasy. Just the soup, please,\u201d she said, glancing around. \u201cDid Caleb and Penelope come home last night?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDoesn\u2019t look like it,\u201d Nancy called from the kitchen.<\/p>\n
She added a chocolate cookie to the tray, knowing Sydney\u2019s sweet tooth.<\/p>\n
Just then, Timothy came barreling in. He planted his fists on his hips and scrunched his face at her. \u201cUncle Caleb and Mommy were together last night! You\u2019re not gonna be my aunt for long, bad woman! You don\u2019t deserve him!\u201d<\/p>\n
He jabbed a chubby finger at her, his eyes full of righteous fury.<\/p>\n
Sydney nodded thoughtfully and swatted his hand away. \u201cDo you know what that makes you, if your mom marries your Uncle Caleb?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDead weight.\u201d She bent down, smiling kindly, and patted his cheek. \u201cLet me explain. That means burden. And once your mommy and your uncle have a new baby, no one will like you anymore. Happy now? Little burden.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWaaah!\u201d Timothy burst into tears. Fat tears rolled down his cheeks as he grabbed his tablet and tried to video call Penelope.<\/p>\n
No answer.<\/p>\n
He glared at Sydney, still sobbing, and called again.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey don\u2019t like you anymore,\u201d Sydney said with a smile. \u201cTold you.\u201d<\/p>\n
She wasn\u2019t even lying. After last night, Penelope might already be carrying his new little half-sibling, half-cousin.<\/p>\n
\u201cWaaah! They won\u2019t\u2026\u201d Timothy kept crying, wiping his tears with his sleeve.<\/p>\n
Sydney sipped her honey water and sat at the dining table. Her phone buzzed with a message from Tiffany. It was a forwarded news article.<\/p>\n
Nancy came out with the soup, startled by the noise. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with the little guy now? He\u2019s wailing like the sky\u2019s falling.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sydney held up her screen. \u201cMaybe he saw this and realized his mom\u2019s a homewrecker. Rough stuff for a kid.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nancy read the headline and gasped.<\/p>\n
[Hampton Corp.\u2019s CEO, Caleb Hampton, Caught Kissing Mystery Woman in a Bar Late at Night!]<\/p>\n
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella\u2019s storytelling style is immersive and addictive\u2014perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.<\/p>\n
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 8 Chapter 8 \u201cSydney\u2026\u201d Her […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21991","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-when-love-is-gone-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21991","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21991"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21991\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21991"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21991"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21991"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}