LOGINSydney I stood at the entrance of the garden, my hand resting on Ian’s arm. I tried to remember how to breathe. This was it. It was finally happening.It looked exactly like what we had planned. I didn’t want anything that looked like the show of a wedding I had with Eric. We had done the wedding at a plaza with over five hundred guests not counting all the photographers and videographers. Eric wanted us to get an orchestra as well. It was a spectacle and now I knew he just wanted to show the world he was getting married to the daughter of Joseph Carter.It was beautiful but still fake. So this time, I wanted a garden. There were a few white chairs arranged in neat rows on either side, the aisle covered in rose petals. The white linen covered arched posts lead to a stage covered with white and red tosses. From here I could see the stretch of the garden, from the manicured lawns and the trees, waving in the wind.We had also agreed on only forty guests which was as private as it could
BryceSo maybe this was just one more impossible thing. I killed the engine outside her driveway and we walked towards the house. She opened the door and stepped in. An older woman was sitting on the couch, reading a children’s book. Miles was curled up beside her.He looked up as we stepped in and his face lit up as soon as he saw her.“Yay!” He scrambled off the couch, leaving his babysitter and running towards her, his small legs hitting against the floor. She dropped to her knees, spreading her arms wide, and caught him, pulling him against herself.I had been thinking of it wrong. It wasn’t just about the child. It was also about Sydney. She looked happy. “Hey, buddy.” She pulled back, grinning. “Were you good for Rosa?”She turned to the older woman who was beaming at both of them. She had olive skin that seemed to shine and her dark hair was held at the top of her head in a high bun.“Very good.” She smiled at them, standing up. “We had dinner, played with blocks, and read stor
Sydney“My lawyer is finalising the divorce papers.” I sighed, smiling at the ring. “Eric is in jail and facing murder charges so he’s sure it will be straightforward.”“Good.” Bryce picked up his phone scrolling. “Speaking of Eric, I thought you should see this.”He handed me the phone and there was a news report on the screen.STANLEY FAMILY BUSINESS EMPIRE COLLAPSES UNDER FRAUD SCANDALI quickly scanned the article. It was basically Chairman Stanley listing out his woes in an interview. They were suddenly facing bankruptcy especially with projects getting halted and investors pulling out.“This is a mess” I winced, scanning through. “They’re losing everything.”“I feel no pity for them actually,” he scoffed taking back the phone. “I can bet they all knew about the embezzlement.”I felt a small stab in my chest. I knew they knew. Every single one of them. I nodded. “Yeah. They did.”He smiled, lifting his glass. “A toast?”My eyes widened. “You want to toast to their downfall?”“Why
Sydney“Good evening Sir, Ma. Can I take your order?” He handed us the menus.I flipped it open, staring at the options. Something about the endless array of French cuisine made my head hurt.“The duck confit is great actually,” Bryce leaned in. “That’s if you like duck.”I smiled at him, turning to the waiter. “I do.”I ordered that as the main dish and ordered a butternut squash soup and crème brulee for dessert. Bryce ordered the filet mignon and asked for a bottle of Bordeaux. The waiter nodded and left.“So, did you change the locks?”“Err…” I trialed off, my mind instantly flashing to walking in and seeing Miles on the floor. Then confronting Kara and that horrifying conversation with Child Services. For some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to tell him yet. I still felt crazy and who knows how he would react to the news that I was planning to foster Eric’s child. Also, the evening was so perfect. It would be insane to ruin it.“Its complicated.” I sighed. “I didn’t end up changi
Sydney“Hello?” I placed the phone against my ear, gently dropping Miles on the kitchen counter.“Good morning. Am I on to Mrs. Stanley?”I stiffened. Something about that last name was starting to deeply irk me.“Yes, you are. Can I help you?”“This is Laura Burney from child protective services. I’m calling regarding Miles Stanley.”I straightened, my heart sinking to the bottom of my chest. “How…” I glanced at Miles. “How did you…”Her voice came back sharper. “We were contacted by the NYPD. They’re currently investigating the adoption fraud case involving St. Patricia’s Home for Children. Alongside other adoptions, Miles Stanley’s adoption was flagged as fraudulent. We are aware your husband is in police custody at the moment but we’ve tried to reach Miles’s birth mother Cassandra Witmore but haven’t been able to do so.”“I…I don’t know where she is.” I stuttered, grabbing the kettle to do something with my hands.“I see,” she drawled then perked up suddenly. “Mrs. Stanley, do you
Sydney“Where are you going?”“None of your business!” She hissed, dragging her luggage towards her red car parked not too far away. She opened the boot, throwing her luggage in.I followed her, still carrying Miles. “You’re not leaving, are you?”She said nothing.“You’re trying to run away before you get connected to the fraud and the adoption, aren’t you?”She glared at me, moving back to the entrance, to grab her other two luggage boxes. “What do you care? You got what you wanted. The police have Eric, you’ve taken the company and you’ve fucked up my life! What else do you want from me?”I frowned, resisting the urge to gloat. If the fool had killed me, she wouldn’t be out here pretending to be the miserable party would she?“I’m not the one who needs you.” I held out Miles as she dumped the boxes in her boot. “It’s your son who does.”I would have sworn that would get her but it didn’t. She scoffed. “He’s not my problem anymore.” She went back to pick another box. “You think I wa
SydneyThe conversation around the table faded. The warmth from his hand spread outward like ink in water, soaking into places I hadn’t realized were still starved. I gripped the edge of my napkin, trying to anchor myself to something—anything. My lips parted, breath quiet and shallow. I leaned bac
SydneyIt was fun watching Eric squirm in his chair.He drove with both hands on the wheel, his posture stiff, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.We were on our way to the orphanage.It was almost laughable how the man who’d spent days avoiding the topic from the first time I asked, suddenly decided
SydneyCeline wiped the last of her tears away, composing herself as she pulled back from our embrace.She studied me, her brows knitted together in frustration, concern, and something else—something close to desperation.“Sydney,” she said, her voice firm, “you need to leave him. Now. You should’ve
SydneyMy father had completely lost his mind.He was hosting a engagement gala for Bryce and I.Thankfully, the event planner had called me first to ‘confirm some details’ before they sent out anything.After telling her to wait, I left the Stanley house and came straight home.“This gala is a bad







