Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23

‘Never shared a bed…‘ As a married woman, Adeline knew exactly what that phrase implied.

“You’re not messing with me, are you?” she asked, disbelief heavy in her voice.

Sydney looked up, her small, delicate face dim and tired. Her voice remained soft. “How could I joke about something like this? Mom, other than divorce, I can’t think of any way

out.”

Adeline’s anger boiled, but not at Sydney. Her fury targeted her son and Penelope–one was oblivious, the other selfish to the core. Still, at this point, even as a strong–willed mother- in–law, she could not stop Sydney from divorcing.

What could she say? Her own son had wasted three years of someone else’s life. Sydney carried the title of a married woman but had never truly lived as a wife.

Adeline drew a deep breath, trying to steady herself, and patted Sydney’s hand. “I skimmed the divorce agreement. You’re only asking for the apartment on Aurum Road?”

Sydney nodded slightly. “If that’s not okay, I can let it go.”

She knew her goal today was to finalize the divorce. With the 3.2 million dollars she had received recently, plus her own savings, she had more than enough to live comfortably.

To outsiders, it might seem she had worn a multicolored crown of humiliation for three years and walked away with nothing–a joke in elite circles.

But she knew the truth. In these three years, she had lived freer than ever in the Sterling family. Judging by how often she had been punished and beaten, she had no regrets.

Adeline regarded her seriously. “You’ve got it all wrong. If word gets out, people will say our family mistreated our daughter–in–law. How about this? Keep the apartment, and I’ll give you another, also on Aurum Road. One for you to live in, and the other to rent out.”

Sydney blinked in surprise. Apartments on Aurum Road were single–unit–per–floor luxury

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Chapter 23

spaces.

Their sale price aside, renting one brought in at least five figures a month.

The Hampton family had treated her decently, but they never shared a deep emotional

bond. Logically, they had no reason to give her another apartment for free.

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That second Aurum Road apartment was hush money–payment for silence until the new

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Chapter 25

Hampton daughter–in–law was confirmed.

Sydney wanted a clean break. She hated loose ends.

She looked at Adeline with uncertainty. “Mom, I understand, but

“Sydney,” Adeline interrupted gently, “this is a win–win.”

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