Sydney woke up in the hospital.
Her entire body ached, and her delicate throat was wrapped in layers of gauze. The moment she tried to speak, it felt as if sharp knives were cutting through her throat, sending cold sweat down her spine.
“I…”
The nurse hurriedly stopped her. “Your throat is seriously injured. You can’t speak for now.”
Sydney picked up her phone and saw Savannah’s latest Instagram post.
At the amusement park, Preston held Chicago’s hand on one side, Savannah on the other—the three looking like a perfect happy family.
Sydney’s gaze darkened instantly, fists clenching so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Before Julien died, his greatest wish had been for Preston to take him to the amusement park. But the poor boy had never gotten that chance.
Not even on his birthday did Preston show up. They waited day and night for him, but he never came.
He said he was busy with work. But Sydney knew too well that was just an excuse!
Three whole years, he spared not a single day for Julien, yet the moment Savannah returned to New York, he immediately whisked her and Chicago off to the amusement park.
Sydney threw back the covers and tried to stand.
The nurse grew worried. “Hey, you can’t leave yet! You’re heavily injured and pregnant! If you must be discharged, your family has to come get you.”
Family?
A bitter laugh escaped Sydney’s lips. The Adelsons had always treated her like a tool. And her husband…
Welp, ever since Savannah and her son returned, Preston had probably already forgotten his wife existed.
The moment she stepped through the villa’s door, her blood boiled.
An Alaskan malamute wore a tiny outfit. To be specific, it was Julien’s outfit!
Every piece of the boy’s belongings had been carefully preserved by her, treasured like a lifeline. And now, someone had desecrated them like this!
Rage ignited inside her right there and then. Ignoring her injuries, she lunged to snatch the clothes.
Just then, Preston and Savannah walked in with Chicago.
The kid swung a wooden stick at Sydney. “Bad woman! Don’t hurt Loki! I’ll beat you to death! I’ll beat you to death, bad woman!”
But Sydney’s eyes were fixed only on Julien’s clothes.The next second, she shoved the kid aside.
The kid toppled to the floor and started wailing.
Preston’s face darkened instantly. He scooped up Chicago, soothing him, then spun around to scold Sydney.
“What’s gotten into you?!”
Her eyes were bloodshot, fury clouding all reason. “Preston, that’s Julien’s clothing! You’re putting Julien’s clothes on a dog!”
Savannah frowned. “It’s just a piece of clothing. Why make such a fuss? I can just buy her a new one. Sydney, there’s no need to hit a child over something so trivial.”
“You can’t replace it!” Sydney shot back. “Julien is dead, and you dare to humiliate him like this?!”
“That’s enough!” Preston’s voice cut through.
His gaze turned cold, sharp as a blade, his face hard with fury. “It’s just a piece of clothing. Is it really worth making such a scene? Seriously, Sydney, you’re becoming increasingly unruly!”
Sydney stared at him, dumbfounded.
‘Just a piece of clothing…’ she repeated in her head.
“Preston, that’s Julien’s clothing!” she roared.
Preston’s brows furrowed. “For god’s sake, Sydney, Julien is dead! How long are you going to keep this up?”
Sydney fell silent, her heart shattering.
How could someone be so cold-blooded?
Julien was his child, too.
At that moment, Chicago tugged Preston’s hand, pouting. “Loki doesn’t have a room yet. Can he stay in the room upstairs?”
Without hesitation, Preston replied, “Sure.”
The second-floor room was Julien’s room. Sydney’s pupils constricted, fury igniting in her eyes.
Preston wanted to give Julien’s room to a dog?!
Feeling invincible with Preston’s support, Chicago went further. He threw Julien’s favorite stuffed toy to the dog.
That toy had been Julien’s constant companion, smelled of him, and the only thing Sydney could hug each night to get any sleep.
Now, the toy was clamped between the dog’s teeth.
Pain twisted her insides like a knife in agony. Her chest felt pierced, heartache so sharp it was unbearable.
Teeth gritted, emotions spiraling out of control, she lunged for the toy—but Chicago shoved her hard.
Her forehead slammed against the crimson table corner; blood gushed instantly.
She couldn’t stand. Blood streamed over her lashes, her vision drowned in the red blurring her vision until everything around her turned scarlet.
Preston’s eyes flickered. His hand lifted, then he heard Savannah whisper.
“Preston, my hand really hurts.”
Preston immediately scooped her up and walked out, not even glancing at Sydney on the floor.
Sydney forced her eyes open. All she saw was Preston’s cold and distant back and Savannah’s triumphant smirk.
Every bone, every fiber in Sydney’s body hurt. But none of it compared to the agony in her chest!
Blood kept flowing, her temperature dropping. Her face turned as pale as paper; her brown pupils were like bottomless pits filled with pain and hatred…
Suddenly, her phone rang. It was Brooks.
With great effort, she picked up the phone.
On the other end of the line, Brooks said coldly, “I’ve found a divorce lawyer for you. Sydney… don’t make me wait too long.”
