show\u00a0of\u00a0asking\u00a0for\u00a0permission\u00a0when\u00a0the\u00a0outcome\u00a0had\u00a0already\u00a0been\u00a0decided.<\/p>\n
His\u00a0concern\u00a0felt\u00a0performative\u2013like\u00a0a\u00a0neighbor\u00a0casually\u00a0asking\u00a0after\u00a0dinner,\u00a0\u201cHave\u00a0you\u00a0eaten?\u201d\u00a0The\u00a0question\u00a0didn\u2019t<\/p>\n
matter,\u00a0and\u00a0neither\u00a0did\u00a0the\u00a0answer.<\/p>\n
Sometimes,\u00a0Sydney\u00a0thought\u00a0that\u00a0kind\u00a0of\u00a0superficial\u00a0care\u00a0was\u00a0part\u00a0of\u00a0why\u00a0their\u00a0marriage\u00a0lasted\u00a0as\u00a0long\u00a0as\u00a0three\u00a0years.<\/p>\n
Caleb\u00a0would\u00a0say\u00a0things\u00a0like,\u00a0\u201cRemember\u00a0to\u00a0take\u00a0magnesium\u00a0during\u00a0your\u00a0period.\u201d<\/p>\n
If\u00a0she\u00a0got\u00a0caught\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0rain,\u00a0he\u2019d\u00a0say,\u00a0\u201cTake\u00a0a\u00a0hot\u00a0shower.\u201d<\/p>\n
If\u00a0she\u00a0tripped,\u00a0he\u2019d\u00a0tell\u00a0her,\u00a0\u201cBe\u00a0careful\u00a0next\u00a0time.\u201d<\/p>\n
But\u00a0he\u00a0never\u00a0prepared\u00a0the\u00a0dissolvable\u00a0magnesium\u00a0tablet\u00a0for\u00a0her.\u00a0Never\u00a0brought\u00a0an\u00a0umbrella.\u00a0Never\u00a0offered\u00a0to\u00a0take\u00a0her\u00a0to<\/p>\n
the\u00a0hospital.\u00a0His\u00a0kindness\u00a0never\u00a0moved beyond\u00a0words.<\/p>\n
As\u00a0expected,\u00a0he\u00a0agreed\u00a0and\u00a0reminded\u00a0her,\u00a0\u201cCome\u00a0home\u00a0early.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sydney\u00a0nodded.\u00a0\u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whether\u00a0she\u00a0actually\u00a0came\u00a0home\u00a0or\u00a0not\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0something\u00a0he\u2019d\u00a0bother\u00a0to\u00a0consider.<\/p>\n
Caleb\u00a0and\u00a0Penelope\u00a0walked\u00a0toward\u00a0the\u00a0gate.<\/p>\n
Halfway\u00a0there,\u00a0Penelope\u00a0suddenly\u00a0slapped\u00a0her\u00a0forehead.\u00a0\u201cCal,\u00a0you\u00a0go\u00a0ahead.\u00a0I\u00a0think\u00a0I\u00a0left\u00a0my\u00a0phone\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0car.\u00a0I\u2019ll\u00a0go<\/p>\n
grab\u00a0it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d\u00a0he\u00a0said,\u00a0frowning\u00a0slightly.<\/p>\n
Sydney\u00a0had\u00a0never\u00a0been\u00a0forgetful.\u00a0Despite\u00a0her\u00a0age,\u00a0she\u00a0was\u00a0always\u00a0composed\u00a0and\u00a0well\u2013organized\u2013more\u00a0mature\u00a0than<\/p>\n
most.\u00a0Caleb\u00a0had\u00a0never\u00a0had\u00a0to\u00a0worry\u00a0about\u00a0her.<\/p>\n
Just\u00a0as\u00a0Sydney\u00a0stepped\u00a0out\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0compound,\u00a0her\u00a0phone\u00a0rang.\u00a0Tiffany\u00a0was\u00a0on\u00a0her\u00a0way\u00a0to\u00a0pick\u00a0her\u00a0up.<\/p>\n
She\u00a0had\u00a0barely\u00a0hung\u00a0up\u00a0when\u00a0a\u00a0voice\u00a0called\u00a0out,\u00a0\u201cSydney!\u201d<\/p>\n
Penelope\u00a0approached\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0smug\u00a0smile.\u00a0\u201cDo\u00a0you\u00a0know\u00a0why\u00a0Cal\u00a0came\u00a0today?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d\u00a0Sydney\u00a0replied\u00a0flatly.\u00a0She\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0care.<\/p>\n
1\/2<\/p>\n
8:40\u00a0AM\u00a0Sun\u00a024\u00a0Aug<\/p>\n
Chapter\u00a039<\/p>\n
78%<\/p>\n
+15\u00a0BONUS<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m\u00a0going\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0Dr.\u00a0Conton\u2019s\u00a0student\u00a0too.\u201d\u00a0Penelope\u00a0hated\u00a0how\u00a0calm\u00a0Sydney\u00a0always\u00a0seemed.\u00a0She\u00a0was\u00a0too\u00a0good\u00a0at\u00a0pretending\u00a0not\u00a0to\u00a0care.\u00a0\u201cYou\u00a0were\u00a0just\u00a0one\u00a0of\u00a0many\u00a0students\u00a0at\u00a0Jouleston\u00a0University.\u00a0But\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0going\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0his\u00a0prot\u00e9g\u00e9.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sydney\u00a0looked\u00a0at\u00a0her.\u00a0\u201cDidn\u2019t\u00a0Alan\u00a0take\u00a0only\u00a0one\u00a0final\u00a0prot\u00e9g\u00e9\u00a0during\u00a0his\u00a0years\u00a0at\u00a0Jouleston?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf\u00a0course\u00a0I\u00a0know\u00a0that!\u201d\u00a0Penelope\u00a0huffed.\u00a0Everyone\u00a0knew.\u00a0That prot\u00e9g\u00e9\u00a0had\u00a0inherited\u00a0everything\u00a0from\u00a0him\u2013his\u00a0full\u00a0legacy,\u00a0his\u00a0knowledge.<\/p>\n
They\u00a0were\u00a0a\u00a0true genius\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0field,\u00a0but no one\u00a0knew\u00a0their\u00a0identity.<\/p>\n
Sydney\u00a0smiled\u00a0faintly.\u00a0\u201cThen\u00a0why\u00a0do\u00a0you\u00a0think\u00a0he\u2019ll\u00a0choose\u00a0you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0better\u00a0than\u00a0you.\u00a0And\u00a0Cal\u00a0will\u00a0support\u00a0me.\u201d\u00a0Penelope\u2019s\u00a0voice\u00a0brimmed\u00a0with\u00a0certainty.\u00a0\u201cJust\u00a0watch,\u00a0Sydney.\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0going\u00a0to\u00a0surpass\u00a0you\u2013bit\u00a0by\u00a0bit.\u201d<\/p>\n
To\u00a0become\u00a0Alan\u2019s prot\u00e9g\u00e9\u00a0was\u00a0to\u00a0step\u00a0into\u00a0the\u00a0field\u00a0already\u00a0crowned\u00a0with\u00a0prestige.\u00a0Penelope\u00a0turned\u00a0away,\u00a0already\u00a0savoring\u00a0victory.\u00a0She\u00a0did\u00a0not\u00a0bother\u00a0to\u00a0wait\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0response.<\/p>\n
Alan\u00a0leaned\u00a0back\u00a0on the\u00a0sofa,\u00a0sipping\u00a0the\u00a0digestive tonic\u00a0Sydney\u00a0had\u00a0brewed\u00a0before\u00a0leaving.\u00a0\u201cYou\u00a0want\u00a0me\u00a0to\u00a0take\u00a0your\u00a0sister\u2013in\u2013law\u00a0as\u00a0my\u00a0prot\u00e9g\u00e9?\u201d<\/p>\n
His\u00a0eyes\u00a0scanned\u00a0the\u00a0gifts\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0coffee\u00a0table:\u00a0a\u00a0jar\u00a0of\u00a0wild\u2013harvested\u00a0echinacea,\u00a0a\u00a0bundle\u00a0of\u00a0dried\u00a0goldenseal,\u00a0and\u00a0a<\/p>\n
pouch\u00a0of\u00a0organic\u00a0ginseng\u00a0root.\u00a0It\u00a0was\u00a0a\u00a0significant\u00a0investment.\u00a0Plain\u00a0sincerity.<\/p>\n
Caleb\u00a0nodded.\u00a0\u201cYes.\u00a0Dr.\u00a0Conton,\u00a0I\u00a0know\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0at\u00a0retirement\u00a0age\u00a0and\u00a0not\u00a0accepting\u00a0students\u00a0anymore.\u00a0But\u00a0she\u2019s\u00a0really\u00a0been\u00a0through\u00a0a\u00a0lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alan\u00a0paused,\u00a0then\u00a0spoke\u00a0with\u00a0cool\u00a0authority.\u00a0\u201cIf\u00a0she\u2019s\u00a0had\u00a0it\u00a0rough,\u00a0surely\u00a0having\u00a0her\u00a0scandal\u2013ridden\u00a0brother\u2013in\u2013law\u00a0hasn\u2019t\u00a0helped.\u00a0You\u00a0know\u00a0how\u00a0much\u00a0shame\u00a0you\u2019ve\u00a0dragged\u00a0your\u00a0wife\u00a0through.\u201d<\/p>\n
His\u00a0voice\u00a0held\u00a0a\u00a0subtle\u00a0edge.\u00a0He\u00a0was\u00a0defending\u00a0Sydney,\u00a0even\u00a0if\u00a0only\u00a0through\u00a0sarcasm.<\/p>\n
Caleb\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0flinch.\u00a0\u201cYou\u2019ve\u00a0seen\u00a0the\u00a0news.\u00a0She\u00a0said\u00a0it\u00a0was\u00a0a\u00a0misunderstanding,\u00a0not\u00a0the\u00a0truth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alan\u00a0scoffed,\u00a0impressed\u00a0that\u00a0he\u00a0could\u00a0lie\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0straight\u00a0face.\u00a0\u201cWhether\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0true\u00a0or\u00a0not,\u00a0I\u00a0see\u00a0it\u00a0all\u00a0clearly.\u201d<\/p>\n
ES2\/2<\/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 39 show\u00a0of\u00a0asking\u00a0for\u00a0permission\u00a0when\u00a0the\u00a0outcome\u00a0had\u00a0already\u00a0been\u00a0decided. His\u00a0concern\u00a0felt\u00a0performative\u2013like\u00a0a\u00a0neighbor\u00a0casually\u00a0asking\u00a0after\u00a0dinner,\u00a0\u201cHave\u00a0you\u00a0eaten?\u201d\u00a0The\u00a0question\u00a0didn\u2019t matter,\u00a0and\u00a0neither\u00a0did\u00a0the\u00a0answer. Sometimes,\u00a0Sydney\u00a0thought\u00a0that\u00a0kind\u00a0of\u00a0superficial\u00a0care\u00a0was\u00a0part\u00a0of\u00a0why\u00a0their\u00a0marriage\u00a0lasted\u00a0as\u00a0long\u00a0as\u00a0three\u00a0years. […]<\/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-22022","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\/22022","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=22022"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22022\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22022"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22022"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22022"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}