Now, he cursed himself for his foolishness and selfishness. He had shattered Sydney’s trust and destroyed the life they had built together, all for a fling and the lure of easy money. The impending scandal and public humiliation paled in comparison to the thought of losing Sydney forever. Tears streaming down his face, Ollie felt utterly lost and alone. He knew he had brought this misery upon himself, but that knowledge did little to ease the overwhelming despair consuming him.
Desperate for closure, he called Sydney, surprised when she answered.
‘The police know everything. They’ve already taken Alex and Jack in for questioning. They’re looking for you too.’
‘I’ll deny they had anything to do with it. I won’t let them go down for something that was my doing. I’ll tell the police I acted alone.’
There was a long silence, a sob.
‘I just don’t get it. You had everything. Everything. What more did you need?’ Sydney asked, her voice laced with pain and anger.
A bitter smile played at the corners of his mouth.
‘I don’t know,’ he said honestly. ‘I guess I just wanted to feel like I mattered. Like I was more than just some washed-up loser living in your shadow.’
‘Well, congratulations,’ Sydney said sarcastically. ‘You certainly managed to make a name for yourself.’
‘Sydney, I . . .’ he began, his voice catching in his throat. ‘I’m so sorry. I know I messed up, I know I hurt you and everyone else. I just . . . I felt undervalued. Like I was just some accessory in your life, some trophy husband who didn’t matter. I wanted to carve out something for myself, to prove that I was more than just Mr Sydney Deville.’
Sydney let out a sharp bark of laughter, the sound cutting through him like a knife.
‘Is that the best you can do?’ she asked incredulously. ‘You felt undervalued? Poor baby. Well, let me tell you something. You threw away everything we had, everything we built together, for what? For cheap thrills and some easy cash? You disgust me.’
He felt tears pricking at the corners of his eyes, the weight of his shame pressing down on him like a physical force.
‘Sydney, please—’
‘You’re going to pay the price, Oliver. I hope it was worth it.’
With that, she hung up. Ollie sat in silence, the reality of his situation sinking in. There was no way back from the hell he had created, and he had no one to blame but himself.
With a heavy heart, Ollie started the car and drove off into the gathering darkness, ready to confront the ruins of the life he had so carelessly thrown away.
Chapter Forty
Lauren knocked on Sydney’s door, her heart heavy with concern for her sister. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of emotions, and she knew that Sydney was struggling to come to terms with everything that had happened.
Sydney opened the door, her eyes red and puffy from crying. ‘Hey,’ she said softly, stepping aside to let Lauren in.
‘Oh, Syd,’ Lauren sighed, pulling her sister into a tight hug. ‘I’m so sorry. How are you holding up?’
Sydney shrugged, wiping away a stray tear. ‘I’ve been better. It’s just . . . it’s a lot to process, you know?’
Lauren nodded, leading Sydney over to the sofa. ‘I know, but you’re strong, Syd. You’ll get through this.’
They sat in silence for a moment, Lauren’s arm wrapped around Sydney’s shoulders. Finally, Sydney spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.
‘Ollie called me.’
Lauren’s eyes widened in surprise. ‘What? When?’
‘This morning. He said he wants to see me, to explain everything.’
Lauren’s jaw clenched, anger rising in her chest. ‘And what did you say?’
Sydney laughed bitterly. ‘I told him he can rot in hell for all I care. I’m done with him, Lauren. I can’t keep putting myself through this.’
Lauren nodded, squeezing Sydney’s hand. ‘Good for you. You deserve so much better than him.’
Sydney sighed, leaning her head on Lauren’s shoulder. ‘I know. And I’m going to focus on myself for a while, you know? Pick myself up and start over.’
Lauren smiled, an idea forming in her mind. ‘Actually, I have a suggestion. Why don’t you move out to the cottage for a bit? Get away from everything, clear your head?’
Sydney looked up at her, surprised. ‘The cottage? But what about work?’
Lauren waved a hand dismissively. ‘You can work from home. And I’ll come visit you with Ben whenever I can. It’ll be perfect.’
Sydney considered it for a moment, a small smile playing on her lips. ‘You know what? That actually sounds really nice. A change of scenery might be exactly what I need.’
Lauren grinned, already picturing Sydney relaxing in the peaceful countryside, far away from the drama and heartache of the past few months. And who knows? Maybe she’d even meet someone new, someone who would appreciate her for the amazing woman she was.
The handsome neighbour sprang to mind.
‘Then it’s settled,’ Lauren said, clapping her hands together. ‘I’ll make the arrangements, and you can move in whenever you’re ready.’
Sydney hugged her sister tightly, tears of gratitude welling up in her eyes. ‘Thank you, Lauren. For everything. I don’t know what I’d do without you.’
Lauren hugged her back, her own eyes misty. ‘That’s what sisters are for. We stick together, no matter what.’
