Chapter 35 Thirty-Five

Chapter 35 Thirty-Five
Sydney
“Sydney…” he exhaled.
Like I thought. He would never choose me over them. It was almost impossible to imagine a world where Eric Stanley placed me above his family and I was the biggest fool for always hoping.
“Sydney why are you acting like this? We agreed to work on our marriage. You said you wanted to try and I believe we can fix this.”
He was doing it again. Trying to manipulate me and remind me of my agreement to make this sham of a marriage work. I turned to face him.
How could someone so good-looking be a liar, a thief, and even worse a murderer? It didn’t matter that I was the only one who knew that part but he was a murderer.
Closing my eyes, I tried to draw up tears. I’d been working on it for a while. The trick was to think about myself in that hospital bed, after losing my father, and realizing Eric was trying to kill me.
“It’s all hurting me, Eric” I whispered, my voice breaking. I pressed my face into my palms. “They’re always talking about having a child. About how I’m failing you, failing them, failing everyone!”
My eyes flung open, tears running down my cheeks. He had the decency to look concerned and walked towards me, wrapping his hands around my shoulders.
“Sydney, no. You’re not failing me. It’s okay. It’s why I’m suggesting the adoption. So this would be over.” I stared at him through tears and he reached to wipe them off, his thumbs brushing my cheeks. “We will give the child a loving home, baby and we can build the family we’ve always wanted…”
“And your parents would finally get the grandchild they’ve always wanted,” I muttered bitterly.
“That’s not…” he stopped himself, letting go of my face and reaching for my hands. “Sydney, I want this for us. Not for my parents but because I want you to be happier.”
The lie was so smooth, I almost believed it. I had to give it to him. The child would inherit all I owned but it would be his, genetically and legally. However, I would simply be the barren wife that his family graciously allowed to adopt.
Someone had to give him his flowers. It was brilliant, really. Evil but brilliant.
“Fine.” I sniffed, pulling one hand to wipe my eyes. “You’re right. Once the orphanage is done with the paperwork and everything is finalized, let’s go bring our baby home.”
His face lit up so bright, he couldn’t even hide it. His lips curled into a wide smile like he’d just won the lottery and I hated him.
I hated him so much I would have strangled him on the spot.
“Really?” He squeezed my hand in excitement. “Really? Sydney that’s…Oh woah. I’m going to contact the orphanage tomorrow and we can start the process and we can..”
“After the paperwork.” I insisted, pulling away my second hand. I stepped back. I needed him to stop touching me before I forgot myself and spat on his face from all the hate I felt. “There’s no rush. They can take their time.”
“Yeah. There isn’t. They can take their time.” He nodded but he was vibrating with excitement. “Baby, this will change everything you’ll see. Once we have the child, my parents will back off and I’ll ensure they do.”
I managed a smile. I knew things would get worse because next, he would pressure me to hand over stuff to my “son”, while his parents would think I was irrational for still working instead of leaving everything to Eric and caring for Miles.
But what did it matter? I smiled at him and nodded.
He closed the distance between us and before I could step back, he cupped my cheeks, tilting my head so my eyes would meet his.
“I love you,” he whispered. “I know things have been hard and my family can be…difficult. But I’m committed to making this work.”
Then before I could say a word, he leaned in and kissed me. It was a soft kiss. His breath smelled of the grape wine he’d been drinking. I closed my eyes and let him kiss me, my hands hanging uselessly at my sides.
I couldn’t pull away otherwise he would get suspicious and I didn’t want that. So I endured it, trying to pretend it was not happening until he pulled back.
“I’m going to ask my parents to leave.” He smiled. “You need to get some rest.”
Of course.
“Sure,” I muttered. My lips felt oddly numb. “Thank you.”
He leaned in and kissed my forehead this time. I wondered how he was able to carry these displays of affection for someone he actually wanted dead.
“I love you Sydney. I wish you knew how much.”
It took everything in me not to snort as he stepped out of the room, shutting the door behind him. Sighing, I hurried to the bathroom, turned on the tap, and washed my face. I splashed water on my face twice, hoping to wash off the feeling of Eric’s lips. Jeez!
In my first life, I would have been relieved. I’d have been too horrified to suggest a divorce and I’d have been grateful that he was just so understanding and so committed to making things work. I would have eagerly accepted Miles as well.
I’d been such an idiot.
I grabbed the hand towel, drying my face, and headed back to the room. Grabbing my phone, I searched for the number I had saved on the plane.
Victor Webb.
He was a private investigator and a financial auditor. After all I had seen in Dad’s office, I clearly needed to be tracking the financials myself.
He picked on the first ring. “Webb.”
“Mr Webb, This is Sydney Carter Stanley. I’m reaching out because I need your services.”