Sydney didn't know why her eyes suddenly burned . She jumped down from the table and walked out without looking back . Julian watched her go , her sudden flight striking him like a slap to the chest . The restless heat beneath his skin only intensified . When the front door slammed shut , he swung his long leg and sent a dining chair crashing to the floor . On December 29th , Tiffany left for home to celebrate the New Year . After seeing her off , Sydney crawled back into bed for another round of sleep .
Half - dreaming , she remembered that Bruce and the others would gather at Julian's for a housewarming . She had promised to go . But now she and Caleb were " fake divorced , " and Julian might not welcome a mistress showing up in front of his friends . Thus , she simply rolled over , buried herself deeper in her pillow , and fell back asleep . The doorbell rang just as Sydney finished washing up near noon . She hurried to answer , phone in hand . " Jul- " The word froze on her tongue . Something hollowed her chest , yet her smile remained . " Agatha ! Happy New Year . What a surprise .
Come in , come in . " Agatha entered , her kindly face soft . " Happy New Year , child . It's the holiday , so I fried some food for you - meatballs and banana fritters , " she said warmly . A sudden warmth bloomed in Sydney's chest . " I thought you'd be busy with your grandson , so I planned to visit in a few days . " " Oh , don't even mention him . " Agatha feigned annoyance as she bustled about , tucking the food neatly into the fridge . " He's too busy to care about me . I don't even know if he'll come home for New Year's Eve . " " He's that busy ? " " Busy , aye !
" She hesitated , then looked at Sydney with a hint of guilt . " This is my fault . When I tried to match you two , I didn't realize he already had a girl he liked . These past few days , he's been chasing after her , burning hot . " " Ah ? " Sydney smiled easily . " That's wonderful ! It means he finally gets what he wants . And you won't have to worry about his marriage anymore . " The matchmaking had never weighed heavily on her . The last time she went , she had only wanted to meet once so she could stop mentioning it .
When she showed up and the man did not , she knew they had shared the same thought . " Maybe so . " Agatha sighed , troubled , " The only thing is that I don't know how the girl feels . " 1/2 " Why not ? " " I asked him to bring her home for me to meet . He refused . Said they'd just started dating and she's still adjusting . He was afraid that bringing her home too soon would scare her off . " Sydney couldn't help thinking of what she had told Julian in his car - that she was still in her " adjustment period . " Still , their situations were hardly the same .
That girl was a proper girlfriend . Sydney was nothing more than a mistress hidden in the dark . She smiled to comfort Agatha . " Young people have their own pace . Just wait , and he'll bring his future wife home soon enough . " " Hopefully he doesn't push her away . " Agatha's worry was clear . " That boy is hard - mouthed and soft - hearted . He could chase her off without realizing it . " Sydney laughed softly . She thought of Julian again . He was indeed hard - mouthed , but his heart was anything but soft . Because it was nearly New Year's , Agatha did not stay long .
At the door , she extended one final invitation . " Sydney , why don't you come to my house tomorrow night ? Spend New Year's Eve with us . " Sydney knew Agatha feared she would spend the holiday alone . However , she had grown used to that long ago . She smiled . " No need . Let me wish you an early New Year . May all your wishes come true , and may you meet your granddaughter - in - law soon . " After sending Agatha off , Sydney returned to find her refrigerator crammed full . She laughed softly . Before leaving the country , Eliana had stocked her up with food as well . 2/2