Chapter 7

Upon hearing her calm, matter-of-fact tone, something sharp jabbed Caleb's chest. He frowned. "Why are you suddenly throwing it away? Didn't you treasure that wedding dress?"

Sydney did not deny it. For three years, she had kept a spot in the closet just for that dress. Each year, she had it professionally cleaned and preserved. She had treasured it because she believed people married only once in a lifetime, and a wedding dress was something to keep.

But now, they were divorcing. Knowing Caleb would likely bring his new love into this house soon after, that dress, like her, had become redundant.

Sydney gave a faint smile. "It's ruined. I noticed the other day it has a huge tear."

"Even so, you can't just toss it like that." Caleb studied her forced smile, assuming she could not bear to part with it. "Tell you what—I'll have someone from the boutique take a look. Maybe it can be repaired."

"Don't bother." Sydney shook her head and met his eyes. "Some things, once broken, can't be fixed."

She was not just talking about the dress. She meant their marriage. Before he could say more, she turned and walked back inside.

Watching her limp slightly, Caleb suddenly remembered. He hurried to catch up. "Wait, are you still hurt? It's been days. Why are you still limping?"

'A little late, aren't we?' she thought mockingly.

Sydney needed his guilt now. She lowered her eyes and answered plainly, "It was almost better, but last night I had to kneel outside the Sterling estate for four hours."

"What did you say?" Caleb stared at her and noticed her swollen, reddened palms. His pupils tightened. "Your hands too?"

Sydney blinked. "Got beaten."

Her tone was casual, without a hint of complaint.

Caleb frowned. "Why did you kneel for so long? And why were you beaten?"

He did not dare imagine the details. 'Isn't Sydney practically family to the Sterlings? How did one visit leave her like this?'

Sydney looked up, and for a moment, a memory of her younger self, eager to marry him, flashed through her mind. She had truly dreamed of growing old with Caleb. She stayed silent for a long moment, then smiled faintly. "Because you didn't come with me."

Frustration swelled in his chest. His throat tightened. "You're still smiling. Doesn't it hurt?"

"It does." Sydney nodded. "But I'm used to it."

"Used to it?"

She pressed her palm gently and spoke as if it was someone else's story. "Anytime you don't come with me, something like this happens."

This was not even the worst. Since childhood, whenever she stepped out of line, Eloise would punish her. That pebble-lined path in the Sterlings' courtyard was made just for her.

Before she turned seven, Sydney already knew how to kneel perfectly—knees aligned, legs straight, toes tucked—to satisfy Eloise.

Caleb crouched and lifted the hem of her dress. What he saw twisted his gut.

Her knees were badly swollen, dark bruises blooming beneath. Her calves were mottled purple and blue, as if someone had painted her skin with cruelty. Against her fair complexion, the bruises looked even more painful.

Compared to this, Penelope's lightly reddened knees were not even close.

Caleb's anger surged. Without a word, he lifted Sydney into his arms and settled her on the sofa. His brow furrowed deeply. "Why didn't you call me?"

The Sterling and Hampton families once stood as equals. Only recently, after Julian Sterling's ruthless reforms, had the gap grown.

Still, Caleb's wife should not be treated like garbage.

Sydney's eyes were clear. Her tone was gentle as she teased, "You said you had an emergency when you left. I figured it was important. Didn't want to bother you."

Caleb was at a loss for words.

For a moment, he thought, 'If I'd known chasing after Penelope would cost this much, would I have gone?'

That thought lingered as he met Sydney's obedient, docile face. His chest tightened. He fetched the first-aid kit and began gently applying ointment. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Sydney stayed silent. She wanted to be a good wife and daughter-in-law. She truly believed Caleb would be a good partner.

To outsiders, the Sterlings were her family. What kind of woman badmouthed her family to her husband?

Sydney was no fool, and Caleb had never loved her enough to make her feel safe doing that. She had always known he barely loved her. Only recently did she realize he had never loved her at all.

It was good she had never depended on anyone's love to survive.

Her fingers pressed lightly into her palm. Her voice softened. "I didn't want to put you in a tough spot between me and the Sterlings. After all, Hampton Corp. still does business with them."

She could not tell the truth. All she could do was lie with a perfectly sincere face.

Caleb swallowed bitter guilt. Her consideration should never have been used against her.

He took a breath, pushed down the bitterness, and gently ruffled her hair. "I'm sorry. I should have done better. And I forgot our anniversary too. Is there anything you want? I'll get it for you."

"Hmm…" Sydney tilted her head and said in a light, steady voice, "Then I want you to like the birthday gift I gave you."

"That's it?"

She nodded. "Yeap."

When she turned 20, Sydney's birthday wish was to marry Caleb. At 24, it was to leave him, cleanly and completely.

For the briefest moment, as she met his sincere gaze, guilt flickered inside her. Then his phone rang. It was not the usual tone but a custom ringtone.

Sydney saw the caller ID: Penelope.

Caleb picked up, said a few words, and shot to his feet, his expression hardening. "How bad is it? Why didn't you have the driver take you? How'd you twist your ankle just walking? Send me your location. I'm coming now."

He hung up, ready to leave despite not finishing Sydney's treatment. The cotton swab in his hand made him hesitate.

Sydney reached out, took the swab, and offered him an out with practiced gentleness. "I'll finish it myself. You go ahead."

They said that the loudest child got the candy. In Sydney's world, crying only brought punishment. Still, she believed she would someday buy all the candy she wanted.

"Okay." Caleb looked visibly relieved. He added, almost defensively, "Penny got hurt. She's out with the kid alone. I just want to check on her."

Then he turned and left quickly.

For some reason, Sydney called after him, "Penny… Cal, why have I rarely heard you call her Penelope?"