Chapter 57
Chapter 57
“Zander, since you and Sylvia are both on board, you two should definitely keep in touch and see where things go,” Felix said, beaming
Sylvia reluctantly nodded along. She didn’t want
to upset Felix and figured she could clear things up with Zander later.
Hearing this, Zander looked sharp, his handsome face flushing slightly. “Okay, Felix. I’ll listen to you.” Knowing Sylvia had agreed, even tentatively, made him ecstatic inside, though he fought to appear calm. Still, his heart started racing again.
Across from them, Byron Blair’s expression turned stormy, fury and jealousy churning within
Zander had just sworn up and down he’d give up pursuing Sylvia, and now he’d gone back on his word in the blink of an eye. ‘It’s like deserting on the battlefield,‘ Byron thought bitterly, ‘grounds for a court–martiall‘
He narrowed his eyes, shooting Zander a look that clearly meant–‘Take it back. Now.‘
Zander caught Byron’s glare. He felt a bit uneasy, even guilty about betraying his friend, but then he subtly looked away.
He wasn’t giving up on Sylvia.
Besides, they were divorced. They should be moving on separately.
Byron couldn’t stomach it anymore. Anger surged through him, and he shot up from the bench. “I have to go.”
It wasn’t just his best friend’s betrayal; it was Felix, a man he deeply respected, actively pushing his ex–wife and his best friend together. He was dangerously close to exploding.
He hesitated, then looked resentfully at Sylvia across the way. “Come outside with me. I need to talk to you.”
Sylvia showed him no courtesy whatsoever, replying coolly, “Sorry, Mr. Blair. I don’t have time right now.”
He hadn’t even bothered showing up for their court date today, and now he had the nerve to demand she
go
with him?
Byron’s face instantly darkened. He narrowed his eyes, his gaze ice–cold.
Before he could speak again, Felix jumped in. “Byron, you can just head out. Let Sylvia stay and chat with me a while longer!”
“Yeah! Let Sylvia stay. You go on, Byron!” Zander added quickly.
Byron suddenly felt completely isolated.
In Felix’s old unit, he’d been the most ruthless instructor, Felix’s most trusted subordinate.
And Zander was his brother–in–arms, someone he’d been through thick and thin with.
Now, they were teaming up to ask him to leave, all because of Sylvia.
His lips pressed into a hard, thin line. His tall frame spun around abruptly, and he strode
away.
Seeing Byron get shut down inade Sylvia feel considerably better. ‘Serves him right for being so self–centered,‘ she thought. ‘Does he really think everyone has to cater to him?‘
For the next while, she chatted casually with Felix and Zander.
Felix’s fondness for Sylvia was obvious, and he chuckled heartily and often. He urged her again, “Sylvia, if you ever run into any trouble, remember to call
me, or call Zander.”
Sylvia was touched and nodded her agreement.
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Chapter 57
Felix then made an excuse to leave, suggesting Zander show Sylvia around the resort grounds.
As they walked along a tree–lined path, Sylvia decided she needed to come clean.
“Zander, there’s something I have to tell you,” she began, her voice steady but tinged with hesitation.
Zander replied gently, “Sylvia, are you talking about you and Byron? I already know. You’re his ex–wife, And Ruby must be Byron’s daughter, right?”
Sylvia nodded silently. “So, let’s just stick to being friends. I don’t want to ruin your friendship with Byron because of me.”
“Sylvia,” Zander said candidly, “My friendship with Byron won’t be affected by you. Besides, you two are over. I’m not going to pass up potentially the most important chance of my life just because of him.”
His words took Sylvia by surprise, but she still shook her head firmly. “Zander, I’m really sorry, but I’m not looking for a relationship right now. I only agreed earlier because I didn’t want to upset Felix.”
She thought that would make him back off. However, after only a brief silence, a smile returned to his lips. “Sylvia, I know it’s not easy for you to accept me so quickly.
“Judge me by my actions from now on. At the very least, we can always be friends.”
Seeing his attitude, Sylvia was momentarily unsure how to respond.
Zander was well–spoken and knowledgeable, and even walking quietly side–by–side didn’t feel awkward at all.
Noticing the time, Sylvia said her goodbyes, explaining she needed to pick Ruby up from preschool.
Just as she walked out of the resort area, Byron burst out from a parked car at the roadside, grabbed her wrist, and yanked her inside the vehicle.
“Byron, what the hell do you think you’re doing?” Sylvia demanded icily.
Byron’s eyes blazed with fury. He questioned her through gritted teeth, “Sylvia! You’ve got some nerve! Getting together with my best friend? Is this your idea of revenge?”
“You’re reading too much into it. Besides, my life is none of your business,” Sylvia retorted, reaching for the door handle.
Byron slammed her back against the seat, staring intently at her as he yelled angrily, “Sylvia, was everything you used to say just bullshit? I remember perfectly! You said if you ever left me, you’d never fall for another man!”
Ever since Sylvia had come back, memories of their past kept flooding Byron’s mind.
Sylvia used to bend over backward for him, making him the center of her world. She’d even hit the farmer’s market at the crack of dawn just to find the freshest ingredients for his picky palate.
Back then, he’d taken it all for granted. Now that they were divorced, he realized he’d never taste cooking perfectly suited to him like that again.
He’d just spent over two hours stewing in the car, jealousy eating him alive. Images of Sylvia and Zander together played on repeat in his head, pushing him close to the edge.
The memories soured Sylvia’s mood instantly too. ‘God, I was such an idiot back then!‘ she thought bitterly. ‘Knowing Byron didn’t love me, but still wasting my life on him!‘
“The past? I don’t remember any of it!” She frowned, clearly annoyed. “Besides, we’re divorced now. Can we please drop the past? Anything I said back then… just consider it me messing with you!”
Byron nearly choked on his anger. ‘She’s just denying it!‘ he fumed inwardly. Her memory can’t be that bad. What a damn liar!”
Blinded by rage, he snarled, “Sylvia, get the hell back overseas! Now!”
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Chapter 57
‘If she was just out of sight, out of Silverton,’ he thought desperately, ‘maybe I wouldn’t feel this torn up.
Sylvia scoffed. “Still think you can order me around, Byron? On what grounds? Why the hell should I listen to you?”
With that, she slammed the cat door shut and stormed off, leaving Byron alone inside, his face a thundercloud.
AD
