Chapter 8

Caleb's heart skipped a beat. He stopped in his tracks and met her clear, steady gaze.

"Sydney…" Her name slipped out before he could stop himself.

She smiled suddenly, her voice soft and light. "Relax. Why are you so tense? I know you and Penelope have known each other a long time. It's natural you're still used to calling her by her nickname."

…

As the black Maybach disappeared down the driveway, Sydney slowly leaned back on the sofa. She hadn't expected herself to say that.

She'd always been good at playing the sweet, obedient wife. All she needed was Caleb's guilt and remorse to secure a clean divorce. So why had she thrown it off course with such a pointless question?

She tilted her head back and stared at the ceiling. Her eyes burned. Before she could unravel the thought, her phone rang. It was Tiffany.

"Syd, wanna go out for drinks tonight?"

"Sure," she said quickly, then added, "But a bit later. I've got a wellness livestream. Should be done by ten."

The livestreams were part of the clinic's outreach. They weren't technically her job, but she had filled in once when a colleague was out, and the feedback had been excellent.

That same colleague had shown her how to use a beauty filter—so dramatic, her late mother might not have recognized her. She looked good on camera, and her soft voice had a calming effect. Since then, the clinic had started assigning her to the streams regularly.

"Cool. I'll swing by after work to pick you up. Should be perfect timing," Tiffany said.

"Okay."

They chatted a bit longer. Sydney felt noticeably better and went back to her room to review her notes for the night's segment.

One undeniable perk of being married to Caleb was freedom. He never meddled in her business. The Sterling family couldn't monitor her as closely either—not with the Hampton name behind her.

Quietly, she had continued building her medical career and held regular consultations at the clinic. After three years, her savings were stronger than she'd expected.

…

The stream wrapped up right on time, at 10:00 p.m.

Sydney came downstairs in high spirits just as Tiffany pulled up outside.

As she slid into the car, Tiffany raised a brow. "Someone's in a good mood. Divorce going well?"

"Pretty well." Sydney smiled. "Worth celebrating."

…

The bar was packed, but Tiffany had a reserved spot thanks to her connection with the owner.

By the time Tiffany returned from the restroom, Sydney had already started drinking.

Tiffany laughed. "Does Caleb know you drink?"

"Of course not." Sydney tilted her head slightly, a faint dimple appearing. "Just like I didn't know his heart belonged to Pen—"

"Kiss! Kiss!"

"Come on, make a move!"

"Cal, you're not going home tonight, are you?"

The noise from the dance floor drowned her out. She turned toward the commotion, and her smile froze.

Tiffany followed her gaze, her expression darkening. "Is that Caleb?"

In the middle of the crowd, under flashing lights, Caleb stood with his arms around a woman in a striking red dress. His sharp features were unmistakable. The always-composed Caleb had a rare softness in his eyes.

Tiffany stared. "Wait, his great love is Penelope Monroe?"

"Yeah, shocking, right?" Sydney drained her glass. Her voice had turned hoarse. "I didn't see it coming either."

Just then, Penelope rose on tiptoe and kissed him. Caleb reflexively pulled her closer. They looked like the perfect couple.

"Whoa!"

"She's good!"

"Cal's not going home tonight!"

The same crowd that used to call Sydney "Mrs. Hampton" now cheered them on.

Tiffany stood abruptly, but Sydney grabbed her wrist. "Don't."

"You think I'm stupid?" Tiffany snapped a few photos, then pulled Sydney up. "I know you have your plan, but this place is gross. Let's go somewhere else."

…

Sydney was a total lightweight. She didn't wake up until late the next afternoon. Her head pounded and her eyes were puffy. She blinked a few times before she believed the 700,000-dollar deposit in her bank account wasn't a hangover-induced hallucination.

She rubbed her eyes and checked the sender. It was Penelope.

Memories from the night before came rushing back. 'So she really did transfer it.'

Penelope must have been terrified of Dorothy. Still, given how things had played out last night, that money had probably come from Caleb.

Half the marital assets were hers. She felt fully entitled to it. Phone in hand, Sydney went downstairs and poured herself a glass of honey water.

Nancy spotted her pallor. "Ms. Wilson, want something to eat? I've got medicinal stew, or I can make you some chicken soup first."

Sydney had always customized recipes for Nancy based on her and Caleb's health needs, year-round.

"My stomach's queasy. Just the soup, please," she said, glancing around. "Did Caleb and Penelope come home last night?"

"Doesn't look like it," Nancy called from the kitchen.

She added a chocolate cookie to the tray, knowing Sydney's sweet tooth.

Just then, Timothy came barreling in. He planted his fists on his hips and scrunched his face at her. "Uncle Caleb and Mommy were together last night! You're not gonna be my aunt for long, bad woman! You don't deserve him!"

He jabbed a chubby finger at her, his eyes full of righteous fury.

Sydney nodded thoughtfully and swatted his hand away. "Do you know what that makes you, if your mom marries your Uncle Caleb?"

"What?"

"Dead weight." She bent down, smiling kindly, and patted his cheek. "Let me explain. That means burden. And once your mommy and your uncle have a new baby, no one will like you anymore. Happy now? Little burden."

"Waaah!" Timothy burst into tears. Fat tears rolled down his cheeks as he grabbed his tablet and tried to video call Penelope.

No answer.

He glared at Sydney, still sobbing, and called again.

"They don't like you anymore," Sydney said with a smile. "Told you."

She wasn't even lying. After last night, Penelope might already be carrying his new little half-sibling, half-cousin.

"Waaah! They won't…" Timothy kept crying, wiping his tears with his sleeve.

Sydney sipped her honey water and sat at the dining table. Her phone buzzed with a message from Tiffany. It was a forwarded news article.

Nancy came out with the soup, startled by the noise. "What's wrong with the little guy now? He's wailing like the sky's falling."

Sydney held up her screen. "Maybe he saw this and realized his mom's a homewrecker. Rough stuff for a kid."

Nancy read the headline and gasped.

[Hampton Corp.'s CEO, Caleb Hampton, Caught Kissing Mystery Woman in a Bar Late at Night!]