Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

The instant Penelope spoke , Sydney's spine went rigid . If she and Julian had a proper , open , clean relationship , she could have admitted it without fear . Even if someone guessed , there would be no shame . However , they did not . They were lovers , in the rawest , filthiest sense . If anyone discovered it , the scorn would fall solely on her . Julian would escape unscathed , and the contempt would be hers alone .

They would say she had clung to him ten years ago under the excuse of being his " little sister , " and now , desperate to attach herself to the Sterling family , she had degraded herself into his mistress . " Penelope ! " Caleb's face turned cold , and he said sharply , " What the hell are you thinking ? Syd and Jules are brother and sister . " Back then , Sydney had been willing to burn every bridge with Julian just to marry Caleb . To him , her loyalties had always been crystal clear . Naturally , he had never suspected anything between her and Julian . Bruce and the others frowned .

" Cal , maybe you should send her home ? She's killing the mood . " Everyone knew what Sydney was to Julian . As for Penelope , what was she ? An outsider , a mistress , daring to wag her tongue here ? Caleb glanced at the time , noted it was still early , and gave a terse nod toward Penelope . " Let's go . " Sydney blinked , startled . He was not defending Penelope the way he used to . Without waiting for her to protest , Caleb gripped her arm and marched her toward the elevator . Humiliation flared in Penelope . " What did I say that was wrong ? Look at the lipstick Sydney's wearing .

not just the lipstick . Everything about Julian and Sydney was off . Brother and sister ? Only thick - headed men could believe it . What kind of " sister " came out of her " brother's " apartment with ears burning red ? " Enough ! " Caleb's patience snapped . He shoved her hard against the side of the car , his voice a furious grind of teeth . " You insisted on tagging along , so I let you .

today just to see for herself . Caleb did not just feel disgust but also loathing . He yanked open the car door and shoved her inside , his tone steely . " Jack , drive her home . Now . " Penelope fumbled for the handle . The door was locked tight . In a panic , she rolled down the window and seized his sleeve . " Then when will you take me

You're lying to me , aren't you? The divorce certificate was fake , wasn't it ? " He could throw divorce papers at her , fine . But if he were truly marrying her , why would he not take her to the courthouse himself ? Why send someone else ? Unless it had all been a lie . She was not like Sydney . She was not so easy to fool . A chill like a blade slid into Caleb's gaze . His rage flared