Chapter 20
“We’re having lunch,” Julian said evenly.
Sydney bristled. “Stop the car.”
He didn’t brake. Instead, he watched her through the rearview mirror, waiting for even a
flicker of hesitation.
When she saw he had no intention of stopping, she didn’t argue. She yanked the door handle and snapped, “You know I won’t listen to you. Three years ago, I would’ve jumped already–and I still will.”
Julian slammed the brakes. That memory from three years ago still clung to him like a shadow. He had seen this coming.
Leaning forward, he seized her wrist with a grip so cold it chilled her to the bone. “Who would you listen to? Caleb?”
Sydney ripped her arm away like a startled leopard. “I wouldn’t listen to anyone. Least of all you.”
Julian gave a dry laugh. “Who was the one begging me not to leave back then? Saying she’d do whatever I said?”
“As you said, that was ‘back then;!” Her control slipped for the first time. Her eyes burned red as she glared at him. “Mr. Sterling, I’m 24 now, not 7. You held out your pinky and made me follow you like a fool.”
His grip slackened.
In one swift motion, Sydney flung the door open and stepped out. She didn’t wait for a ride. She headed straight for the sidewalk, letting the cold wind seep into her skin and hair, hoping it would wash away the memories still clinging to her.
Those nine years with Julian had been the safest of her life. She had no real family, but he
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became one. He had shielded her, guiding her as she stumbled from a naïve girl into a grown
woman.
His friends used to joke, “Where’d you find such a sweet, obedient sister?”
Julian would just smile. “Don’t be fooled. She’s fierce at home.”
At 16, she was abandoned all over again. First, when her parents died. Then, when Julian, the man she had always regarded as her brother, gave up on her.
For a long time, she unraveled each night in silence. What was wrong with her? What wasn’t? Why did people always leave?
That night, when she was sent back to the Sterlings, they forced her to kneel for two full days.
Eloise had laughed from the doorway. “Julian’s always been like that. One day he’ll pamper a cat like royalty, and the next he’ll toss it out like garbage. Only someone with nothing would treat him like a lifeline. Learned your lesson yet?”
She remembered the sun scorching her back, the dizziness, and a maid dousing her with
cold water to keep her conscious.
After that, she vowed never to lean on anyone again or weigh anyone down. Every step she
took from then on was deliberate, measured.
…
That night, Sydney flew back to Jouleston with Marcus.
Tiffany was already waiting at baggage claim.
When he saw someone was there to pick Sydney up, Marcus left for the clinic without a
word.
Tiffany started the car, glanced at the suitcase in the backseat, and raised a brow. “Syd, you
staying with me or…‘
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Chapter 20
“I’m going to Viridian Garden first.”
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She didn’t say “home,” the one she had shared with Caleb. This was its real address–the
one in Jouleston’s most expensive district.
Tiffany rolled her eyes. “Still nothing from Caleb?”
“Not a word.”
“Busy paying his respects to your sister–in–law, is he?” she said, dry as dust.
Sydney wasn’t sure. That’s why she insisted on coming in person to settle the divorce.
They arrived just before midnight. A porch light glowed near the entrance, just like always.
Nancy stepped out when she heard the car, clearly surprised. “Ms. Wilson, you’re back early. Want something to eat?”
“No, thank you.” Sydney shook her head. “Is Caleb home?”
