That\u00a0sharp\u00a0slap\u00a0instantly\u00a0drew\u00a0everyone\u2019s\u00a0attention.\u00a0The\u00a0shattered\u00a0phone\u00a0screen,\u00a0the\u00a0vivid\u00a0handprint\u00a0on\u00a0her\u00a0skin,\u00a0and\u00a0Sydney\u2019s\u00a0reddened\u00a0eyes\u00a0told\u00a0the\u00a0whole\u00a0story.\u00a0She\u00a0had\u00a0clearly\u00a0just\u00a0been\u00a0bullied.<\/p>\n
It\u00a0was\u00a0a\u00a0pitiful\u00a0sight.<\/p>\n
Caleb\u2019s\u00a0brow\u00a0furrowed\u00a0as\u00a0he\u00a0stepped\u00a0over\u00a0and\u00a0picked\u00a0up\u00a0the\u00a0phone.\u00a0\u201cWhat\u00a0happened?\u201d<\/p>\n
Penelope\u00a0tried\u00a0to\u00a0shift\u00a0the\u00a0blame\u00a0to\u00a0Sydney,\u00a0but\u00a0the\u00a0words\u00a0caught\u00a0in\u00a0her\u00a0throat.\u00a0There\u00a0was\u00a0no\u00a0way\u00a0to\u00a0spin\u00a0it.\u00a0How\u00a0could<\/p>\n
she\u00a0say\u00a0Sydney\u00a0had\u00a0stood\u00a0up\u00a0for\u00a0her\u00a0and\u00a0that\u00a0she\u2019d\u00a0hit\u00a0her\u00a0in\u00a0return?\u00a0She\u00a0couldn\u2019t\u00a0justify\u00a0it,\u00a0not\u00a0even\u00a0to\u00a0herself.<\/p>\n
All\u00a0she\u00a0could\u00a0do\u00a0was\u00a0glare\u00a0at\u00a0the\u00a0two\u00a0women\u00a0before\u00a0snapping,\u00a0\u201cThey\u00a0were\u00a0saying\u00a0awful\u00a0things\u00a0behind\u00a0my\u00a0back!\u00a0It\u00a0was<\/p>\n
horrible.\u201d<\/p>\n
The\u00a0two\u00a0women\u00a0looked\u00a0like\u00a0they\u00a0wanted\u00a0to\u00a0disappear.<\/p>\n
Who\u00a0would\u2019ve\u00a0guessed\u00a0both\u00a0of\u00a0Caleb\u2019s\u00a0women\u00a0would\u00a0cause\u00a0trouble?\u00a0Especially Sydney.\u00a0She\u00a0seemed\u00a0soft,\u00a0someone\u00a0easy<\/p>\n
to\u00a0push\u00a0around\u2013but\u00a0once\u00a0she\u00a0spoke,\u00a0she\u00a0could\u00a0tear\u00a0you\u00a0apart.\u00a0From\u00a0this\u00a0moment\u00a0on,\u00a0no\u00a0one\u00a0would\u00a0dare\u00a0cross\u00a0her\u00a0again.<\/p>\n
Sydney\u00a0took\u00a0back\u00a0the\u00a0phone\u00a0and\u00a0turned\u00a0to\u00a0Penelope.\u00a0In\u00a0the\u00a0same\u00a0calm,\u00a0gentle\u00a0tone\u00a0Penelope\u00a0had\u00a0once\u00a0used\u00a0against\u00a0her,<\/p>\n
she\u00a0said,\u00a0\u201cPenelope,\u00a0maybe\u00a0we\u00a0should\u00a0let\u00a0it\u00a0go.\u00a0I\u00a0might\u2019ve\u00a0misunderstood\u00a0them.\u00a0They\u00a0were\u00a0probably\u00a0just\u00a0joking.\u00a0It\u2019s<\/p>\n
Bruce\u2019s\u00a0birthday party.\u00a0Let\u2019s\u00a0not\u00a0make\u00a0a\u00a0scene.<\/p>\n
11<\/p>\n
Despite losing\u00a0her\u00a0phone\u00a0and\u00a0taking\u00a0a slap,\u00a0Sydney\u00a0was\u00a0the\u00a0first to\u00a0ease\u00a0the\u00a0tension.<\/p>\n
On\u00a0the\u00a0other\u00a0hand,\u00a0Penelope\u00a0felt\u00a0like\u00a0she\u00a0had\u00a0a\u00a0mouthful\u00a0of\u00a0blood\u00a0she\u00a0couldn\u2019t\u00a0spit\u00a0out or\u00a0swallow.\u00a0She\u00a0was\u00a0furious,\u00a0but<\/p>\n
too\u00a0many\u00a0eyes\u00a0were\u00a0watching.\u00a0If\u00a0she\u00a0lashed\u00a0out\u00a0now,\u00a0she\u2019d\u00a0only\u00a0make\u00a0herself\u00a0look\u00a0worse.<\/p>\n
Her\u00a0nails\u00a0dug\u00a0into\u00a0her\u00a0palm\u00a0as\u00a0she\u00a0forced\u00a0a\u00a0strained\u00a0smile.\u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re\u00a0right.\u00a0Let\u2019s\u00a0not\u00a0waste\u00a0time\u00a0on\u00a0people\u00a0like\u00a0that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Caleb\u2019s\u00a0face\u00a0remained\u00a0unreadable.\u00a0\u201cApologize.\u201d<\/p>\n
The\u00a0women\u00a0turned\u00a0pale.\u00a0In\u00a0an\u00a0instant,\u00a0they\u00a0bowed\u00a0in\u00a0panic.\u00a0\u201cWe\u2019re\u00a0sorry,\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0really\u00a0sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Penelope\u00a0tried\u00a0to\u00a0keep\u00a0her\u00a0composure.\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0fine,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0fine-\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u00a0meant\u00a0you,\u201d\u00a0Caleb\u00a0cut\u00a0her\u00a0off,\u00a0glancing\u00a0at\u00a0Sydney\u2019s\u00a0reddened\u00a0hand.\u00a0\u201cApologize\u00a0to\u00a0Sydney.\u201d<\/p>\n
Penelope\u2019s\u00a0eyes\u00a0widened\u00a0in\u00a0disbelief\u00a0as\u00a0she\u00a0stared\u00a0at\u00a0him.\u00a0\u201cWhat\u00a0did\u00a0you\u00a0just\u00a0say?\u201d<\/p>\n
Frowning,\u00a0Caleb\u00a0gently\u00a0moved\u00a0her\u00a0behind\u00a0Sydney,\u00a0as\u00a0if\u00a0worried\u00a0she\u00a0might\u00a0lash\u00a0out\u00a0again.\u00a0\u201cSyd,\u00a0Penny\u00a0has\u00a0a\u00a0bit\u00a0of\u00a0a<\/p>\n
temper.\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0apologizing\u00a0on\u00a0her\u00a0behalf.\u201d<\/p>\n
8\u00a0g\u00a01\/2<\/p>\n
8:42\u00a0AM\u00a0Sun\u00a024\u00a0Aug\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter\u00a053<\/p>\n
78%<\/p>\n
+15\u00a0BONUS<\/p>\n
Sydney\u00a0had\u00a0received\u00a0the\u00a0slap,\u00a0yet\u00a0her\u00a0husband\u00a0was\u00a0apologizing\u00a0on\u00a0behalf of\u00a0someone\u00a0else.\u00a0Everyone\u00a0could\u00a0see\u00a0where\u00a0his<\/p>\n
loyalties\u00a0lay.<\/p>\n
Sydney\u2019s\u00a0clear\u00a0eyes\u00a0fixed\u00a0on\u00a0his.\u00a0After\u00a0a\u00a0long\u00a0pause,\u00a0she\u00a0offered\u00a0a\u00a0faint\u00a0smile.\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
She\u00a0tucked\u00a0the\u00a0broken\u00a0phone\u00a0into\u00a0her\u00a0purse,\u00a0pulled\u00a0out\u00a0a\u00a0velvet\u00a0box,\u00a0and\u00a0walked\u00a0toward\u00a0Bruce.\u00a0Her\u00a0smile\u00a0brightened,<\/p>\n
genuine\u00a0now.\u00a0\u201cHappy\u00a0birthday,\u00a0Bruce.\u00a0There\u2019s\u00a0an\u00a0emergency\u00a0at\u00a0my\u00a0clinic,\u00a0and\u00a0Tiffany\u2019s waiting\u00a0outside.\u00a0We\u2019ll\u00a0be\u00a0leaving<\/p>\n
now.\u201d<\/p>\n
With\u00a0that,\u00a0she\u00a0took\u00a0Tiffany\u2019s\u00a0hand\u00a0and\u00a0left.<\/p>\n
Caleb\u00a0watched\u00a0her\u00a0disappear\u00a0through\u00a0the\u00a0doorway,\u00a0and\u00a0his\u00a0chest\u00a0tightened.\u00a0Something\u00a0about\u00a0that\u00a0smile\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0sit\u00a0right.<\/p>\n
It\u00a0felt\u00a0like\u00a0she\u00a0was\u00a0truly\u00a0done\u00a0with\u00a0him.<\/p>\n
He\u00a0took\u00a0a\u00a0step\u00a0to\u00a0follow,\u00a0but\u00a0Penelope\u00a0stumbled,\u00a0twisting\u00a0her\u00a0ankle.\u00a0She\u00a0clutched\u00a0his\u00a0arm\u00a0and\u00a0winced.\u00a0\u201cOuch!\u00a0Cal,\u00a0help<\/p>\n
me.\u201d<\/p>\n
He\u00a0paused,\u00a0his\u00a0eyes\u00a0catching\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0pendant slipping\u00a0from\u00a0the\u00a0collar\u00a0of\u00a0her\u00a0blouse.\u00a0A\u00a0flicker\u00a0of\u00a0realization\u00a0crossed\u00a0his<\/p>\n
face.<\/p>\n
Penelope\u00a0tilted\u00a0her\u00a0head,\u00a0still\u00a0seated\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0couch.\u00a0\u201cWhat\u2019s\u00a0wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re\u00a0worried\u00a0Sydney\u2019s\u00a0upset?\u201d\u00a0Penelope\u00a0asked\u00a0gently,\u00a0suppressing\u00a0her\u00a0own\u00a0unease.\u00a0\u201cDidn\u2019t\u00a0you\u00a0say\u00a0she\u2019s\u00a0always\u00a0so<\/p>\n
obedient and\u00a0sensible?\u00a0Why\u00a0would\u00a0she\u00a0be upset\u00a0over\u00a0something\u00a0so\u00a0trivial?\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u00a0made\u00a0sense.\u00a0As\u00a0Caleb\u00a0replayed\u00a0the\u00a0scene\u00a0in\u00a0his\u00a0mind,\u00a0she\u00a0hadn\u2019t\u00a0shed\u00a0a\u00a0tear.\u00a0Her\u00a0expression\u00a0had\u00a0stayed\u00a0calm.\u00a0She\u00a0was<\/p>\n
probably\u00a0fine.<\/p>\n
Outside\u00a0the\u00a0room,\u00a0Tiffany\u00a0held\u00a0Sydney\u2019s\u00a0hand\u00a0tightly.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes\u00a0it\u00a0hurt?\u201d\u00a0she\u00a0asked,\u00a0her\u00a0voice\u00a0full\u00a0of\u00a0concern.<\/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 53 That\u00a0sharp\u00a0slap\u00a0instantly\u00a0drew\u00a0everyone\u2019s\u00a0attention.\u00a0The\u00a0shattered\u00a0phone\u00a0screen,\u00a0the\u00a0vivid\u00a0handprint\u00a0on\u00a0her\u00a0skin,\u00a0and\u00a0Sydney\u2019s\u00a0reddened\u00a0eyes\u00a0told\u00a0the\u00a0whole\u00a0story.\u00a0She\u00a0had\u00a0clearly\u00a0just\u00a0been\u00a0bullied. It\u00a0was\u00a0a\u00a0pitiful\u00a0sight. Caleb\u2019s\u00a0brow\u00a0furrowed\u00a0as\u00a0he\u00a0stepped\u00a0over\u00a0and\u00a0picked\u00a0up\u00a0the\u00a0phone.\u00a0\u201cWhat\u00a0happened?\u201d Penelope\u00a0tried\u00a0to\u00a0shift\u00a0the\u00a0blame\u00a0to\u00a0Sydney,\u00a0but\u00a0the\u00a0words\u00a0caught\u00a0in\u00a0her\u00a0throat.\u00a0There\u00a0was\u00a0no\u00a0way\u00a0to\u00a0spin\u00a0it.\u00a0How\u00a0could […]<\/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-22036","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\/22036","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=22036"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22036\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22036"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22036"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22036"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}