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Caleb had known Sydney long enough to understand her temperament. She was gentle, cautious, and always careful to keep her head down. Thus, he truly couldn't fathom when she had become someone who seized the moment so boldly.The last time they'd spoken, she had said Eloise's grudges couldn't be blamed on Julian. He had thought that was her limit. But now she had calmly and openly acknowledged her relationship with him.Had she not considered what that meant? That Julian would never allow her to seek revenge against his family? Or had she thought it through and simply decided she didn't care? Did she love Julian so deeply that even knowing it might not last, she still wanted the world to know?Because when she had been with Caleb, when she was still his wife, she had never once introduced him to anyone as her husband. Never once claimed him as hers in front of others.Caleb couldn't help wondering if she had ever loved him even a little. Maybe that marriage had never been about lov

For a moment, Iris froze. She wasn't foolish—she could hear the venom dripping from Adeline's voice. Still, offending Sydney wasn't an option either, not when the woman had deep ties to the Sterlings. One wrong word, and Iris might end up paying for it later.Just as she was looking for a graceful way to excuse herself, a low, cutting laugh echoed from the entryway."If someone like you could marry into the Hampton family, then for Sydney, joining the Sterlings would be effortless." The words were calm, but the tone carried a chill edged with mockery.The room fell silent.Most of the guests had long resented Adeline in private, but no one dared cross her while her son kept Hampton Corp. afloat. Now, though, the jab was too good. A few who lacked restraint nearly burst out laughing.Who was it? Who finally had the courage to say what everyone else was thinking?Sydney turned toward the speaker.Julian stood not far away, dressed in a navy suit. His expression was composed, but t

By the time Sydney stepped out of the Hampton estate, dusk had already fallen over the city. The evening wind slipped through her coat collar, cold enough to raise goosebumps along her neck.Julian opened the car door for her. She ducked inside quickly, handing her keys to Elliot on the way."Drive mine back to Delta Mansion," she said before closing the door.As soon as Julian settled into the driver's seat, Sydney turned to him, the question already forming. "Why did you suddenly go public about your relationship with Eloise?"Their feud was nothing new—it had been festering for years. Yet out of nowhere, he had torn off the Sterlings' last shred of pretense.Julian toyed with her fingers, his gaze dark and unreadable. "Why do you think?"'Because of me.' That was Sydney's first thought. If not for her, he could have exposed Eloise long ago. He had led the family for years. If he had wanted to cut ties, he would have done it already.Thus, she asked softly, half-testing, half-

When James saw how calm and composed Sydney looked, he couldn't help but ask in a gentle, brotherly tone, "You've really let it go?"He wasn't even sure why he asked. Maybe he didn't want her pretending to be fine if she wasn't. Or maybe, deep down, he wanted her to admit she was still hurting. If she did, he'd find a way to stop that marriage himself.Sydney heard the sincerity in his voice and smiled. "I've really let it go."And she meant it. Her life was peaceful now, far more than she had ever dared to hope for. Why waste her energy caring about other people's choices?If she and Caleb stayed friends, fine. If not, that was fine too. Some things were better left behind.Of course, she wasn't generous enough to stay friends in the scenario he married Penelope. Those two had already disgusted her enough, especially Penelope, who had tried to ruin her again and again.Seeing her so steady, James finally relaxed and gestured toward the plate in front of her. "Do you like this fl

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?""I'll check your ankle again before you go to bed tonight."They chatted lightly as they walked back into the villa.During dinner, Sydney didn't forget to place food on Agatha's plate.Not far away, Polly sat quietly, ready to help whenever needed. Watching them, she felt something stir inside her.The once cold and lifeless house was slowly coming back to life—warm, peaceful, and full of the comfort she had nearly forgotten.'If only things could stay this way forever,' she thought.Agatha still didn't know that Julian had gone abroad. After dinner, she turned to Polly."Check the time later and make some supper," she said. "Don't let those rascals come home hungry in the middle o