By the time Sydney left the Sterling estate, her limp had worsened. For three years, every time Caleb failed to show up for her, she ended up punished like this. She no longer felt surprised.

What Caleb did not realize was that each time he "proved his devotion" to the woman he loved, he pushed Sydney one step closer to ruin. The Sterling family had no use for a weak woman who could not keep her husband's heart.

Jason sighed. "You could have lied, you know? Made up something harsher. Madam Sterling wouldn't have beaten you this badly."

"Jason, Grandma raised me. I could lie to anyone but never to her," Sydney said. Her clean, pale face showed no trace of resentment.

Jason sighed again, but this time his eyes showed genuine warmth as he looked at her bruised, red palms. "Don't wait too long. Get to a hospital quickly."

"Okay." She nodded without another word.

Jack had already left.

Every step sent sharp waves of pain through Sydney's body.

Since she was little, she suspected Eloise was the reincarnation of a cruel villain from some historical drama.

Dorothy Vettera, the matriarch of the Hampton family, had merely ordered Penelope to kneel in the courtyard. Eloise, the Sterling family's matriarch, had made the maids take Sydney to kneel on a path filled with jagged stones.

At first, the snow made it bearable. Yes, it was cold, but at least it did not hurt. Once the snow melted, only sharp rocks remained. By the time her whole body froze, the maids appeared with canes to whip her palms.

That part truly hurt.

The Sterling estate sat high in the scenic, serene mountains. Sydney had struggled to bribe a ride-share driver to come. Because it was snowing late at night, the driver refused to go beyond the hill's base.

Each step downhill brought pure agony. Despite the winter chill, her back drenched in sweat from pain.

Far ahead, a long black Bentley crawled along the icy road.

The driver squinted. "Sir, that looks like Ms. Wilson."

In the backseat, a man lounged with legs crossed. His face lay mostly in shadow, sharp and cold, radiating power. He did not even look up as he hummed. His expression was unreadable.

Elliot Tierney, the assistant in front, could not hold back. "Sir, shouldn't we help her?"

"You want to?" His low, magnetic voice was quiet but laced with frost.

Elliot fell silent.

After a long pause, the man finally looked out through the windshield, narrowing his eyes at the frail figure staggering in the snow. "Find out what Caleb was doing tonight."

"We already checked. Most likely enjoying a romantic night with Penelope." Elliot added quickly, "Ms. Wilson has probably been kneeling in the snow for hours. She's reaching her limit."

Just as he finished, the figure ahead collapsed.

"I told you that—"

The car door slammed open. The man's face stayed stone-cold as he swept the unconscious woman into his arms, wrapping her in his cashmere coat.

Elliot scrambled to open the rear door. "Sir, hospital or…"

"Back to the estate."

"Yes, sir."

"I want a doctor waiting," the man instructed.

"Already arranged."

Sensing the mood, the driver quietly turned up the heat. Inside the car, warm light filled the space. The man's gaze swept over her bruised knees. His dark eyes flashed cold, but his voice remained even. "They didn't hold back."

Elliot muttered, "Madam Sterling's punishments are always brutal."

"Is Victor Sterling returning soon?" the man asked.

"Yes," Elliot replied.

"Make arrangements," he ordered.

"To what extent?"

The man glanced over lazily, a violent glint flickering behind his calm eyes. "What do you think?"

…

Sydney woke weak all over but surprisingly without pain. Her palms and knees, which should have throbbed, looked frightening but hurt little. Even her tailbone, sore for days, felt better.

Still, something was wrong. She was not supposed to be here.

Frowning, she reached for the hotel phone, only to pause at a faint whiff of agarwood. The scent snapped her out of her daze. She scoffed silently, grabbed a familiar tube of custom-made ointment from the nightstand, and checked out without a word.

…

Back home, the atmosphere felt unusually pleasant, as if all the recent awkwardness was her fault for existing.

"Syd, you're back," Penelope greeted with a cheery smile.

Clearly, Caleb had made it up to her last night.

Sydney ignored her.

Penelope was not done. She walked over, flipped her hair behind her ear, and flashed a dazzling pair of rare pink diamond earrings.

Sydney had loved that set for years. It had resurfaced at auction recently, and Caleb had promised to buy it for her. He said soft pink tones suited her best and that the earrings would look stunning.

No doubt he said the same to Penelope.

Catching the flicker of emotion on Sydney's face, Penelope tilted her chin smugly. "Grandma said you have a good eye for jewelry. Take a look. These cost over a million dollars. Cal bought them for me. Think they're worth it?"

"They're decent," Sydney said with a faint smile, pushing down bitterness. "Oh, right. Cal and I are still legally married. So technically, half of that million is our joint marital property. The exact figure was 1.4 million."

She pulled out her phone. "Penelope, please wire 700,000 dollars to this account by midnight. Otherwise, I'll have to ask Grandma for it."

Penelope's phone buzzed. A message appeared with a bank account number.

Her face darkened. 'This bitch. Always threatening me with that old crone. 700,000 dollars? The Hampton family hasn't even formally split assets yet.'

After Lucas died, Penelope had inherited only 500,000 dollars.

Sydney did not care whether Penelope had the money. After a shower, she started decluttering. She refused to drag things out. She even packed her wedding dress and told Nancy to throw it away.

Just as she lugged the bundle downstairs, Caleb walked in. His eyes fell on the clumsily wrapped dress, and unease settled in his gut. "Why are you taking out the wedding dress?"

Sydney met his gaze, calm and steady. "I'm throwing it out."

'Useless things deserve to be discarded,' she thought.

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?"

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!]