Chapter 28
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Sydney had only promised Adeline that she wouldn’t bring up the divorce with Caleb–at least not yet. She had never agreed to keep living under the same roof with him.
On the way back to Viridian Garden, Caleb sat in the back seat, staring out the window with a blank expression, lost in thought.
Penelope tugged on his arm. “Cal, what are you daydreaming about?”
He’d been distant ever since they got in the car. She had no idea what Sydney had told him.
“It’s nothing.” Caleb rubbed his temples and snapped out of it, just as the car passed the clinic where Sydney worked.
A flicker of helplessness crossed his face. Sydney had clearly entered her rebellious phase.
She was finally growing a spine.
Penelope didn’t miss the change in his expression. She followed his gaze and glanced
toward the clinic.
‘This clinic…‘ If she remembered correctly, this was the one where Sydney worked.
Perhaps afraid Sydney would change her mind or stir up more trouble, Adeline didn’t waste time. The money arrived quickly, and she promptly arranged for someone to accompany Sydney for the property transfer.
After a full morning of errands, Sydney held two crisp new property certificates in her
hands. Aurum Road ranked among the most expensive neighborhoods in Jouleston.
Tiffany had taken the day off to go with her–just in case something shady happened. But
everything, from the terms to the paperwork, went off without a hitch.
As they stepped out of the real estate office, Tiffany latched onto Sydney’s arm with exaggerated drama. “Rich lady, I’m done hustling. Please take care of me.”
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“Take care of you, huh?” Sydney grinned and ruffled her hair. “Wanna move in?”
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“Huh?” Tiffany’s eyes lit up, and she giggled. “Maybe not move in, but I could crash for a few days. Get a taste of the rich life.”
They didn’t have time for lunch, so they rushed back to Aurum Road with their luggage. The takeout Sydney had ordered arrived just as they got there.
Tiffany dug in with enthusiasm. “This place still hits the spot. Numb and spicy, just the way I like it. Shame I can’t get delivery where I live. I always have to go pick it up myself.
Honestly, I could squat here forever.”
“Then don’t leave,” Sydney said with a smile.
“No can do.” Tiffany flopped onto the couch and rubbed her full belly.
Sydney cleared the table and took out the trash. When she returned, she narrowed her eyes on Tiffany. “Why not? Are you seeing someone?”
“Please. Men just get in the way of making money.”
Tiffany had grown up with nothing. She’d always known exactly what she wanted in life.
Sydney raised an eyebrow. “Then what’s stopping you from moving in?”
“I’m not dating anyone. You’re the one still emotionally tangled.” Tiffany gave her a look and added, “I’ve just got a feeling things with you and Caleb won’t end as cleanly as you
think.”
“Why not?”
“Woman’s intuition.”
“Your intuition sucks.” Sydney didn’t even look up as she unpacked a box. “He likes
Penelope. You know that. The only reason he’s dragging this out is simple.”
“And that is?”
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“He doesn’t want Penelope to take the fall for it.”
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However, once Adeline delivered the finalized divorce agreement, Caleb’s opinion wouldn’t matter. Clean or not, he’d have no say. Sydney had no intention of being anyone’s pawn
again.
Eventually, Tiffany got up and helped her unpack.
As they worked, Sydney went online and ordered a load of household and kitchen essentials. Watching the house slowly take on the warmth of a home, she finally felt something loosen inside her. For the first time in a while, she could breathe again.
Unexpectedly, the person most excited about the divorce wasn’t Sydney. As soon as word got out, someone showed up at the clinic and waited for her shift to end.
