LOGINSydney had just forced herself to calm down and stop spiraling when her phone rang in her bag.The caller ID showed the Jouleston City Police Department.Puzzled, she answered. "Hello?""Hello." A young male voice came through, brisk and official. "This is the Jouleston Police Department. Are you a family member of Penelope Monroe?"At the mention of Penelope's name, Sydney frowned. "No. You have the wrong person.""You're Ms. Sydney Wilson, correct?"The officer had just begun confirming her identity when another tense, urgent voice cut in. "Sydney, I know I did a lot wrong before. I know you won't acknowledge me as your sister-in-law, but do you remember the message I sent you last time? I wasn't lying. I really do know I was wrong. Can we meet? Please?"It was Penelope.Sydney had been about to hang up, but as her finger hovered over the end-call button, she paused.What had Penelope said in that message again? That she knew the truth about Sydney's background.On the othe
Jeremiah was an old fox. He caught her hesitation at once and spoke in a grave, measured tone. "This matter is too serious. Too many people are involved. No one would hand over the evidence to me lightly. Give me a little time, and I will show it to you. I was old friends with your father and mother. I would never joke about something like this. Besides, what would I gain by lying to you?"Sydney lowered her eyes and concealed every trace of emotion. She sat in silence for a long time, deep in thought.When she finally looked back at him, her gaze was cool and distant. "No matter what, I won't believe any of this unless I see the evidence."With that, she did not wait for him to speak again. She picked up her bag and strode out, leaving only one sentence behind. "Have a nurse remove the needles in 35 minutes."Marcus had readily agreed to let her return to the clinic, but in practice, he blocked any additional appointments for her. Her work hours were much shorter than before.Syd
Maybe Sydney's reaction was too calm, because Jeremiah looked faintly surprised. Still, he did not rush to speak. He simply asked her to treat him first."My cough has gotten much worse lately. I'll have to trouble you to take a look.""Of course."Sydney had taken over Jeremiah's treatment partly out of respect for the Shepard family. The only reason it had paused recently was that she had been unable to reach him.After examining him, she wrote a new prescription and adjusted his treatment plan.When she finished with the day's patients, she had him lie down on the exam bed in the consultation room and began the acupuncture session.As Sydney inserted the first needle, Jeremiah showed no sign of discomfort. Instead, he struck up a casual conversation. "Dr. Wilson, what do you think of the Hutton family?""The Hutton family?"Her hand paused for a fraction of a second. She did not know why he had suddenly brought them up. Still, she resumed placing the needles and answered in
Sydney froze.Had Marcus not told her to ask Alan herself?The moment she hung up, he sold her out.She had been weighing how to bring it up, but now she abandoned that plan and followed the opening he had given her. "Mm. I've fully recovered, and it's still not that close to my due date, so I thought it would be better to go back to the clinic."Alan extended his hand. "Give me your wrist.""Okay."Sydney took his response as a sign he was already halfway convinced. She held out her hand without hesitation.The past few days of rest at home had not been in vain.Alan placed two fingers on her pulse. His expression softened slightly, but he did not yield. "Did you discuss this with Julian?"As he spoke, he tipped his chin toward the kitchen.Sydney followed his glance and saw only the man's straight back. He seemed to be washing produce. The sound of running water carried over.Her heart settled into an unexpected calm. "I didn't discuss—"Alan's expression sharpened at onc
To Sydney, Alan was both a mentor and a father.Back then, if Alan had not taken her in as his student, Julian would never have dared send her back to Eloise. She would have been cornered at every turn, and in the end, neither of them might have come through it well.Eliana understood that his respect for them came from how deeply Sydney mattered to him. That only made her happier for Sydney. With a broad smile, she said, "Alright, alright. Don't just stand there. Come inside.""Okay."Sydney looked at Alan and leaned forward, about to help him up. "Alan...""Enough." Alan cut her off at once. Bracing himself on the armrest of the rocking chair, he rose neatly on his own. "I'm still young. I'm not at the stage where I need you two helping me."He was old, yes, but he refused to admit it.Eliana could not resist replying, "Of course, of course. You're much younger than the two of them."Sydney and Julian exchanged a smile. The two elders had been married for decades, yet their r
Julian trusted Sydney. He trusted her to take care of her body first. He trusted every decision she made.Just like that, the unease in Sydney's heart eased. "Really?"She could see how much he cared about their child, which was why she had not expected him to agree so easily."What else would I do?" Julian pinched her cheek. "Demand that, before the baby is born, you give up your career, give up everything you enjoy, and stay home every day waiting to deliver? Precious, the child matters. But your freedom to live the way you want matters more."He held her gaze and stressed each word. "This is not me indulging you or making allowances. It's your right."'Freedom…' Sydney's eyes stung. She had wanted nothing more than that since she was little.She looked at the man in front of her. Sunlight cast a soft glow over him and sharpened the strong lines of his face."Okay. I understand."Julian smiled at her seriousness. "Come on. I'll go with you to see Alan.""Don't you need to go
Now it was Sydney's turn to fuss over Agatha.Tilting her head, Agatha studied Sydney's face with fond amusement. The longer she looked, the more content she felt."Much better," she said with a smile. "Give me another couple of days, and I'll be ready to go shopping with you. Can you believe it?"
After hanging up, Sydney sat back at her desk, her heart still hammering against her ribs.A few minutes later, Tiffany pushed open the door and found her sitting there, red-eared and flustered, trying to steady her breathing."What happened?" Tiffany asked with a teasing grin. "Did Mr. Sterling s
After lunch, Sydney remembered she had not visited Alan and Eliana in quite some time. Since she finally had a free afternoon, she decided to bring Tiffany along.Agatha knew how much the couple had helped Sydney in the past. Before they left, she asked Polly to load several boxes of gifts into the
After Sydney got into the car, Tiffany felt a strange unease creep over her. The man beside her seemed different today. Raymond walked toward the parking space in silence, quiet and reserved.Tiffany slowed. "I can take a cab home myself.""I'll drive you." Raymond rarely spoke so little. He point







