Chapter 158 For a moment , Sydney's mind went blank . That sentence from Caleb would have sounded routine any other time . But here and now , it struck her off guard . " Don't worry . It's not a real divorce . " He had already made the promise to Penelope . He gripped Sydney's shoulders , leaned slightly closer , and whispered , " Just a staged divorce for a while . We don't even need to file papers . " Sydney collected her scattered thoughts , her tone cool . " A real divorce would be fine too . " Since he raised the issue , she no longer needed to honor her contract with Adeline . " No.
" His rejection was immediate and firm . Once divorce papers were signed , he would lose her for good . He could not allow that . Even now , he had no idea how he would explain things if he ever found the real Precious . Maybe she had already married . In that case , all he could do was provide financial support and arrange protection to keep her safe from traffickers . The thought brought a strange , guilty sense of relief . He refused to dwell on why . Instead , he tightened his hold on Sydney's shoulders , his gaze steady as his voice softened .
" Syd , all I need is for you to go along with it . Just act divorced in front of Penelope . " Fearing misunderstanding , he added solemnly , " Believe me . I have my reasons . The only Mrs. Hampton in my heart is you . It has always been you . ' Sydney froze , caught off guard . She was not hesitating about agreeing . She simply didn't know which way to turn . Between him and Adeline , there was no trace of a mother - and - son bond . One demanded she act divorced . The other demanded she act loving. Caleb's brows drew together in anxiety at her silence . " Sydney , please .
I'm begging you , alright ? " He was begging for the sake of another woman . Sydney lifted her head , glanced at him , and gave her answer . " Fine . I'll agree . " She agreed but didn't speak the truth . There was no need to act . They were already divorced . Relief softened his expression . She opened her mouth to speak . " I want to- " The universe intervened . His phone rang again . He answered and left in a rush , leaving her no chance to speak . Sydney thought maybe it was for the best . The whole situation reeked of Penelope's schemes .
If Caleb could fake a divorce for her , there was no guarantee he would help Tiffany . Her eyes dropped as she rode the elevator upward , unsettled . When the doors slid open , Julian was the first to see her pale , shaken face . Beside him , Yoyo slipped free of the leash and bounded over , wagging furiously . 1/2 " Caleb upset you again ? You look like hell . " Sydney scooped up Yoyo and stepped out , avoiding his gaze . " He wants me to play along with a fake divorce . " Since that night when she first sensed something off between them , she had been unconsciously avoiding him .
Julian acted as if he hadn't noticed and wore a faint , careless smile . " Even the Ninja Turtles could learn patience from you . " Her mind was consumed with worry over Tiffany , leaving no energy to spar with him . She rubbed Yoyo's head , handed the leash back to Julian , and turned to head home . " Something else happened , didn't it ? " His voice , suddenly sharp and cutting , stopped her in her tracks . Her back stiffened . She hesitated . Should she tell him ? If it were not a last resort , she would never have turned to him .
But she could not bear imagining how desperate Tiffany must be , alone in custody . " Julian , can you help her ? Tiffany's been falsely accused and detained , " she uttered . 2/2