Chapter 24
Adeline remained calm and measured, though her tone carried a chill. “Outwardly, you’re still a member of the Hampton family. The Sterlings will at least show us some respect, won’t they?”
Sydney’s hands clenched. She stared at Adeline, slightly stunned.
“If Madam Sterling truly cared about you, why would she sabotage your job opportunity at the hospital back then?” Adeline spoke slowly. “And every time you came back from the Sterling residence, you could barely walk straight.”
Sydney’s entire body tensed. Her gaze drifted toward Nancy, who stood in the corner.
Nancy looked away, guilt etched across her face.
At that moment, everything clicked for Sydney. All those years she had kept up a façade, pretending she was fine. Adeline had seen through it, but like most sharp–eyed people, she’d waited until the moment suited her to say it out loud.
Sydney went pale. Her fists loosened, and a rebellious glint sparked in her eyes.
“How long is this temporary arrangement you mentioned?” she asked.
“I’ll take care of it as soon as I can,” Adeline replied.
“700,000.”
“What?”
Sydney didn’t flinch. Her tone stayed even. “The two apartments on Aurum Road and
700,000 dollars.”
She knew she was asking for a lot–outrageously so–but said it anyway. She had never responded well to pressure.
If Adeline had appealed to her using Dorothy’s health, she might have agreed without
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protest. However, this condescending tone, this pretense of generosity, reminded her too
much of Eloise.
She had lived worse than a stray in the Sterling household, yet to everyone else, she was the one who should be grateful.
Adeline’s chest heaved with fury. “You don’t know what you’re saying! Ungrateful!”
She grabbed a cup and hurled it to the floor. It struck the rug with a dull thud. Coffee splattered across the wool, soaking into the fibers. A mess—just like the end of this
marriage. Ugly. Irreversible.
Suddenly, the sound of the front door echoed through the house. A sleek black Maybach sat in the courtyard.
Caleb had returned, unnoticed. His face looked drawn, his coat slung over one arm. As he
stepped into the living room and took in the scene, his brow tightened.
He turned to his mother. “Mom, why are you yelling at Sydney?”
Adeline still seethed. She opened her mouth but faltered. At last she snapped, “Would I yell
at her for no reason?”
This time, Sydney didn’t step in to smooth things over. She didn’t play the dutiful daughter–in–law. She just lowered her eyes and stayed silent.
The warm winter sunlight poured through the floor–to–ceiling windows, washing over her face. Her skin looked pale and flawless beneath the light. Even the fine hairs on her cheeks
showed. Shadows fell from her lashes, her black hair draped softly across her shoulders. She
looked quiet, docile, and gentle.
Caleb understood. The only thing that could have triggered his mother like this was
Penelope’s post from the night before. But Sydney had ended up on the receiving end of her misplaced anger.
He stepped forward and grabbed Sydney’s wrist, pulling her behind him. His voice was firm. “Whatever has upset you, please show respect to both of us.”
–
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Sydney blinked in surprise. Her gaze landed on his back, broad and steady. For a moment, she remembered that scene at the Hampton residence, when he had shielded Penelope the
same way.
‘So righteous. So decisive,‘ she thought. ‘Even if he never loved me, he’s still willing to protect me. He really is a kind man.‘
Adeline narrowed her eyes. “So your wings have grown, huh? Always standing up
someone else.”
for
She snatched up her bag and stormed off. At the door, she changed her shoes, then turned back to Sydney. “I’ll take care of what we discussed.”
“Thank you, Mom.” Sydney stood and walked her out. “And the divorce papers…”
“I’ll have someone deliver them once they’re ready.” Adeline didn’t bother softening her tone. Her heels clicked sharply against the floor as she left, still fuming.
Sydney let out a slow breath. When she turned around, she met Caleb’s puzzled expression.
“Papers?” he asked.
