Chapter\u00a025\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMhm,\u00a0visa\u00a0papers,\u201d\u00a0Sydney\u00a0said,\u00a0improvising.\u00a0\u201cTiffany\u00a0wants\u00a0to\u00a0travel abroad.\u00a0I\u00a0didn\u2019t<\/p>\n
want\u00a0to\u00a0deal\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0hassle,\u00a0but\u00a0when\u00a0Mom\u00a0found\u00a0out,\u00a0she\u00a0said\u00a0she\u2019d arrange\u00a0someone\u00a0to<\/p>\n
take\u00a0care\u00a0of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Just as\u00a0the\u00a0words\u00a0left\u00a0her\u00a0mouth,\u00a0her\u00a0phone\u00a0chimed.<\/p>\n
Azure\u00a0Bank:\u00a0[700,000\u00a0dollars\u00a0have\u00a0been\u00a0deposited\u00a0in\u00a0your\u00a0account.]<\/p>\n
Caleb\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0press\u00a0her.\u00a0Instead,\u00a0he\u00a0shifted\u00a0gears.\u00a0\u201cDidn\u2019t\u00a0you\u00a0say\u00a0you\u00a0wanted\u00a0to\u00a0talk\u00a0to\u00a0me\u00a0about\u00a0something\u00a0last\u00a0night?\u00a0What\u00a0was\u00a0it?\u201d<\/p>\n
Sydney\u00a0hesitated,\u00a0then\u00a0pressed\u00a0her\u00a0lips\u00a0together.\u00a0\u201cOh,\u00a0just the\u00a0visa\u00a0thing.\u00a0I\u00a0figured\u00a0it\u2019d\u00a0be\u00a0easier\u00a0to\u00a0ask\u00a0you\u00a0for\u00a0help.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo\u00a0I\u00a0came\u00a0home\u00a0a\u00a0little\u00a0too\u00a0late,\u00a0huh?\u201d\u00a0Caleb\u00a0chuckled.\u00a0His\u00a0gaze\u00a0landed\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0empty\u00a0gift\u00a0box\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0coffee\u00a0table.\u00a0\u201cThat\u00a0was\u00a0my\u00a0present,\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMom\u00a0saw\u00a0it and\u00a0liked\u00a0it,\u201d\u00a0Sydney\u00a0replied.\u00a0\u201cShe\u00a0took\u00a0it.\u00a0If you\u00a0want\u00a0one,\u00a0ask\u00a0her\u00a0for\u00a0another<\/p>\n
next\u00a0time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Caleb\u00a0nodded.\u00a0He\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0ask\u00a0what\u00a0the\u00a0gift\u00a0had\u00a0been.\u00a0\u201cIf\u00a0she\u00a0likes\u00a0it,\u00a0let\u00a0her\u00a0have\u00a0it.\u201d<\/p>\n
He\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0try\u00a0to\u00a0look\u00a0deeper\u2013just\u00a0like\u00a0he\u00a0hadn\u2019t\u00a0during\u00a0the\u00a0past\u00a0three\u00a0years\u00a0of\u00a0their\u00a0marriage.<\/p>\n
Sydney\u00a0had\u00a0once\u00a0mistaken\u00a0that\u00a0for\u00a0gentleness,\u00a0for\u00a0patience.\u00a0Only\u00a0now\u00a0did\u00a0she\u00a0see\u00a0it\u00a0for\u00a0what\u00a0it\u00a0was:\u00a0indifference.\u00a0He\u00a0hadn\u2019t\u00a0cared\u00a0about\u00a0the\u00a0gift.\u00a0He\u00a0hadn\u2019t\u00a0cared\u00a0about\u00a0her.\u00a0He\u00a0had\u00a0always\u00a0stood\u00a0just\u00a0outside\u00a0the\u00a0circle.<\/p>\n
But\u00a0now?\u00a0She\u00a0no\u00a0longer\u00a0minded.<\/p>\n
She\u00a0smiled.\u00a0\u201cFine\u00a0by\u00a0me,\u00a0as\u00a0long\u00a0as\u00a0I\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0have\u00a0to\u00a0spend\u00a0money on\u00a0another\u00a0one.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u00a0little\u00a0penny\u2013pincher.\u201d\u00a0Caleb\u00a0shot\u00a0her\u00a0a\u00a0sidelong\u00a0look.\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m\u00a0not\u00a0stingier\u00a0than\u00a0Julian,\u00a0am<\/p>\n
I?\u201d<\/p>\n
1\/3<\/p>\n
5:49\u00a0AM\u00a0Sun\u00a024\u00a0Aug<\/p>\n
Chapter\u00a025<\/p>\n
89%<\/p>\n
+15\u00a0BONUS<\/p>\n
Sydney\u00a0traced\u00a0her\u00a0fingernail\u00a0lightly\u00a0over\u00a0her\u00a0fingertip\u00a0and\u00a0offered\u00a0a\u00a0faint\u00a0smile.\u00a0\u201cYou\u2019ve\u00a0always\u00a0been\u00a0generous.\u201d<\/p>\n
When\u00a0she\u00a0was\u00a0younger,\u00a0she\u00a0had\u00a0celebrated\u00a0more\u00a0than\u00a0a\u00a0few\u00a0birthdays\u00a0with\u00a0Julian\u2019s\u00a0group.\u00a0Caleb\u00a0had\u00a0always\u00a0given\u00a0her\u00a0exactly\u00a0the\u00a0sort\u00a0of\u00a0gifts\u00a0she\u00a0liked.\u00a0He\u00a0was\u00a0thoughtful,\u00a0never\u00a0stingy.\u00a0A\u00a0gentleman.\u00a0A\u00a0man\u00a0who\u00a0enjoyed\u00a0pleasing\u00a0his\u00a0friends\u2018\u00a0little\u00a0sisters\u2013and\u00a0only\u00a0that.<\/p>\n
That answer\u00a0seemed\u00a0to\u00a0satisfy\u00a0him.\u00a0He\u00a0smiled.\u00a0\u201cStill\u00a0sulking\u00a0with\u00a0your\u00a0brother?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m\u00a0not\u00a0sulking,\u201d\u00a0Sydney\u00a0said evenly.\u00a0She never\u00a0had\u00a0been.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0front\u00a0door\u00a0had\u00a0been\u00a0left\u00a0ajar\u00a0when\u00a0Adeline\u00a0left,\u00a0and\u00a0cold\u00a0wind\u00a0kept\u00a0slipping\u00a0through\u00a0the\u00a0crack.\u00a0Sydney\u00a0sniffled\u00a0and\u00a0steered\u00a0the\u00a0conversation\u00a0away.\u00a0\u201cCal,\u00a0I\u00a0should\u00a0get\u00a0going.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBack\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0clinic?\u201d\u00a0He\u00a0still\u00a0hadn\u2019t\u00a0caught\u00a0the\u00a0subtext.<\/p>\n
Sydney\u00a0didn\u2019t explain.\u00a0She\u00a0simply\u00a0nodded.\u00a0\u201cYeah.\u00a0Marc\u2019s\u00a0swamped\u00a0today,\u00a0so\u00a0I\u00a0offered\u00a0to\u00a0help.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright.\u00a0Want\u00a0me\u00a0to\u00a0have\u00a0the\u00a0driver\u00a0take\u00a0you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo\u00a0need,\u201d\u00a0she\u00a0said.\u00a0\u201cI\u00a0can\u00a0manage.\u201d<\/p>\n
She\u00a0had\u00a0been\u00a0doing\u00a0things\u00a0on\u00a0her\u00a0own\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0long\u00a0time.<\/p>\n
After pulling\u00a0on\u00a0her\u00a0long\u00a0down\u00a0coat,\u00a0she\u00a0stepped\u00a0out\u00a0into\u00a0the\u00a0cold.\u00a0The icy\u00a0ground\u00a0gleamed\u00a0underfoot,\u00a0the\u00a0winter\u00a0sun\u00a0casting\u00a0long\u00a0golden\u00a0rays.<\/p>\n
She\u00a0flagged\u00a0down\u00a0a\u00a0cab,\u00a0took\u00a0out\u00a0her\u00a0phone,\u00a0and\u00a0transferred\u00a0the\u00a0newly\u00a0received\u00a0money\u00a0to\u00a0a\u00a0charitable\u00a0foundation\u00a0supporting\u00a0underprivileged\u00a0girls\u00a0in\u00a0their\u00a0pursuit\u00a0of\u00a0education\u00a0and<\/p>\n
independence.<\/p>\n
She\u00a0thought,\u00a0\u2018Every\u00a0girl\u00a0deserves\u00a0a\u00a0life\u00a0of\u00a0her\u00a0own.\u00a0To\u00a0stand\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0sunlight\u00a0and\u00a0live\u00a0freely.<\/p>\n
Not\u00a0like\u00a0me.\u00a0Never\u00a0like\u00a0me.\u2018<\/p>\n
Inside,\u00a0Caleb\u00a0watched\u00a0her\u00a0walk\u00a0away,\u00a0and\u00a0a\u00a0quiet\u00a0sigh\u00a0caught\u00a0in\u00a0his\u00a0chest.\u00a0That\u00a0little\u00a0girl\u00a0from\u00a0long\u00a0ago\u00a0had\u00a0grown up\u00a0so\u00a0quickly.<\/p>\n
2\/3<\/p>\n
5:49 AM\u00a0Sun\u00a024\u00a0Aug<\/p>\n
Chapter\u00a025<\/p>\n
89%<\/p>\n
+15\u00a0BONUS<\/p>\n
Nancy\u2019s\u00a0flustered\u00a0and\u00a0sharp\u00a0came\u00a0from\u00a0the\u00a0back.\u00a0\u201cHey!\u00a0Be\u00a0careful\u00a0with\u00a0that!\u00a0Don\u2019t\u00a0drop\u00a0anything!\u201d<\/p>\n
Caleb\u00a0turned.\u00a0He\u00a0saw\u00a0Nancy\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0backyard,\u00a0directing\u00a0workers\u00a0as\u00a0they\u00a0loaded\u00a0boxes.<\/p>\n
He\u00a0walked\u00a0over,\u00a0frowning.\u00a0\u201cWhat\u00a0are\u00a0you\u00a0moving?\u201d<\/p>\n
Nancy\u00a0answered\u00a0honestly.\u00a0\u201cI\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0know.\u00a0Ms.\u00a0Wilson\u00a0packed\u00a0everything\u00a0herself\u00a0and\u00a0asked\u00a0me\u00a0to\u00a0send\u00a0the\u00a0boxes\u00a0by\u00a0courier.\u201d<\/p>\n
Caleb\u2019s\u00a0frown\u00a0deepened.\u00a0Something\u00a0felt\u00a0off.\u00a0He\u00a0lifted\u00a0his\u00a0chin.\u00a0\u201cOpen\u00a0a\u00a0box.\u00a0Let\u00a0me\u00a0see.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWouldn\u2019t\u00a0that\u00a0be\u2026\u00a0inappropriate?\u00a0She\u2019ll\u00a0be\u00a0upset\u00a0if\u00a0she\u00a0finds\u00a0out\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhose\u00a0word\u00a0do\u00a0you\u00a0follow?\u00a0Hers or\u00a0mine?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYours.\u201d\u00a0Nancy\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0hesitate.\u00a0She\u00a0knew\u00a0who\u00a0signed\u00a0her\u00a0paychecks.\u00a0She\u00a0grabbed\u00a0a\u00a0pair\u00a0of<\/p>\n
scissors\u00a0and\u00a0carefully\u00a0opened\u00a0one\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0boxes.<\/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 25 Chapter\u00a025\u00a0 \u201cMhm,\u00a0visa\u00a0papers,\u201d\u00a0Sydney\u00a0said,\u00a0improvising.\u00a0\u201cTiffany\u00a0wants\u00a0to\u00a0travel abroad.\u00a0I\u00a0didn\u2019t want\u00a0to\u00a0deal\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0hassle,\u00a0but\u00a0when\u00a0Mom\u00a0found\u00a0out,\u00a0she\u00a0said\u00a0she\u2019d […]<\/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-22008","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\/22008","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=22008"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22008\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}