Chapter 34 Chapter 34 Sydney wondered if she had been cursed in Storia. Why had she never run into Julian all those years, yet now here he was again? "Syd, you're here!" Bruce greeted her warmly. "Come on in." Caleb's other friends nodded and smiled at her. She pressed one palm into the other before stepping in and greeting them in turn, "Hey, Bruce. Hey, Mason." When it was Julian's turn, she hesitated. "Mr. Sterling." Silence stretched for a few heartbeats. Bruce and the others felt a chill run down their spines. Julian stayed calm, his deep eyes fixed on her. A small smile curved his lips. "So now I'm Mr. Sterling instead of Julian, huh?" Faced with him, Sydney spoke before she could stop herself. "What... What do I have to do with you?" Those were the exact words Julian had said seven years ago when he had her abandoned at Eloise's place. Sydney remembered them clearly. "You really think you're my sister? What do you have to do with me?" he had asked then. Sydney looked away, then glanced at Caleb, who had already fallen asleep. Quickly, she appealed to Bruce. "Bruce, could you help get him into the car?" "Sure," Bruce replied. The room felt awkward as he lifted Caleb and tried to slip away. Caleb, normally composed, had started drinking heavily after a few words with Julian. Bruce asked Sydney, "Can you handle him? Want me to drive him home?" Sydney shook her head. "No, I'm fine. Thanks, Bruce." "No need to thank me." Bruce chuckled. "Get home safe, okay? And remember to come to my birthday." Seeing her hesitation, he teased, "You went to Penny's birthday last month, but you're not coming to mine?" 1/3 Sun 24 Aug Chapter 34 She nodded. "All right, I'll come." Bruce's kindness touched her. After she agreed, he reminded her to stay safe and left. 78% +15 BONUS As she closed the car door to get in, Caleb suddenly reached out, grabbed her wrist, and murmured, "Don't even think about-" She frowned. "Think about what?" Did he know about the divorce? Before she could process more, he slumped unconscious. She gently pushed him further in, closed the door, and climbed into the driver's seat. Just as she was about to close her door, a sharp sound rang out. Another car door swung open beside her, jamming her door shut. Before she could react, Julian leaned against the other vehicle, one elegant hand pressing firmly against her door. He smirked. "Are you planning to be fine with him cheating on you right under your nose?" Anger flared in her chest. "What? Are you upset that I embarrassed the Sterling family?" He glanced at her and said coldly, "He's not thinking about you." "I know." Sydney shrugged. "But as long as he comes home now and then, I'm content." Sydney sounded like a total love-struck fool. Veins bulged on his hand gripping her door. "You really like him that much?" "Yes. I like him so much it's unbelievable." Julian's frosty gaze swept over her. He sneered, "Even Mother Teresa would have to give you props.' "You only just figured that out today?" she asked evenly. "Mr. Sterling, I asked you once. I asked who he liked. You didn't tell me then." Julian remained silent. She asked firmly, "What's the point of taunts now?" After years of devotedly caring for her family, she was met with relentless ingratitude from her husband and son—who even brazenly vowed to form a "real family" with a glamorous actress. Heartbroken b...