CHAPTER 7: PROBATION

AUTHORS POV

THE RAIN PATTERED against the rooftops, its rhythmic beat echoing the tumultuous throbbing of Caleb's heart.

"How can you back out now? The work's almost concluded." Caleb's voice roared around the massive building as he paced around the living room.

Ashley sat in the dinette, having her morning tea. Her heart raced, what could have made him so furious this time?

"You claim to be a man with no faults yet your daughter is trending on the news for her infidelity. I can't continue on this train Mr. Morgan."

Caleb raised a brow. "What do you- hello, hello." He took the phone off his ear and uttered a vile word.

As far as Caleb knew, his daughters were happily married. Anita would never dare go against him by doing such an unruly thing. Sydney- he scoffed- she was too head over heels in love with Gavin to cheat on him.

Caleb groaned. The telephone buzzed, and he quickly went to pick it up. Without asking, he knew who it was.

"How many investors had backed out?"

"Twenty-seven in four hours sir."

"Customers lost?"

"Thirty-one sir."

Caleb sent a fist to the wall, causing Amaya, his maid, who was taking toast to Ashley, to nearly drop the plate. He glared at her and she quickly went to the dinette.

"And sir?"

"Speak!"

"Nine staff dropped their resignation letter." He sounded nauseous.

Caleb felt lost in the weeds. "What's the reason for all this disenchantment?"

Caleb could hear him swallow. "I'm afraid your daughter... Mrs. Reed has been rumored to be having an affair. I don't know the authenticity-"Caleb slammed the telephone back on the table.

He was seeing red. He didn't want any explanation. If the press said it was true then the information was authentic. How could she do such a thing without thinking? He had always known she was a damned child the very day she chose a different path from him. He had suffered a massive loss when she got pregnant at eighteen. He was so proud when she decided to go to college, that was the first time he smiled at her and called her his daughter.

"Honey, are you okay?" Ashley stood behind him, her eyes filled with apprehension.

Like mother like daughter, wasn't it? Caleb turned to her scornfully. "Did Sydney tell you she was going to cheat on Gavin?" He didn't wait for her reply. "She tells you everything, doesn't she? You knew if she threaded this path, I would be in ruin. This is your form of revenge, isn't it?"

She looked pale and tired. "I don't know what you are talking about."

His anger flared and he grabbed her by the chin. He could feel her bone; it then occurred to him how lean she was becoming, but that wasn't the issue now. "Maybe if I hadn't been forced into marrying you, my life would have been more easy. You are the reason Sydney is such an infamous child." She pushed her away by the chin, and she fell to the ground.

Amaya who had been watching them, ran to her. Caleb stared at Ashley viscously and then stormed out of the house.

Amaya helped her up, her hand was bleeding and she was wheezing. "Ma'am, breathe." She placed Ashley on the couch.

Ashley held her chest as she wheezed. Amaya ran out of the room and came back with a glass of water and two pills of bronchodilator.

"Relax," Amaya straightened her hair and lay her on the couch. Ashley's wheezing subsided eventually, and a teardrop slid down her temples.

Amaya looked at her in concern. For how long would she hide her suffering with makeup and a bright smile? "I suggest you tell your husband about your condition."

Ashley felt a swelling in her chest. "No, not yet." Her voice was raspy.

"Maybe he would have mercy-"Ashley knew he was a callous man and nothing could make him change.

"Please Maya, I need to rest."

Amaya sighed defeated. She covered her with a duvet. When Amaya left her alone, Ashley broke into a plaintive wail.

————————

Sydney killed the engine of her Mercedes in the parking space of Dandelions Elementary School. She looked more like the Sydney every knew, dressed in a pink skirt suit and white stilettos with her hair in a chignon. It wasn't a week yet why would she care? She thought she was ready to resume work.

"Hey you forgot something," Sydney said as Emily was about to run off.

Sydney pushed open the door, and Emily ran to her, giggling, and kissed her cheek.

"I'll miss you mommy."

Ethan stared at Sydney frowning. Sydney gestured for him to come. "What got you in a bad mood since morning?" She straightened the sleeves of his uniform.

"You should stay at home, you don't seem fine." He said worriedly, he had heard Jack Mc Murray's mother died after a month of pregnancy because she didn't give herself proper rest.

"I'm fine Ethan, don't worry about me." She smiled weakly.

Emily and Ethan spotted Kelly and they all went into the school together. Sydney felt eyes watching over her.

"Syd," Avery called as Sydney was about to get into the car.

Avery told some students cart walking to hasten their steps and get in before the bell rang. When Avery reached Sydney, she pulled her into a hug.

Sydney chuckled nervously. "Some parents are watching."

Avery pulled away and looked at her grimly. "Let them, I'm not going to leave my best friend because of some disparaging rumor."

Sydney gave her doe eyes. "But-"

"I'll stand on the rooftop and scream how much I love you if you don't shut up." She smiled but it was a wicked one. "Does Gavin know about it yet?"

Sydney bit her lips. He was gone before she woke up this morning. "Yes."

Avery almost gasped in excitement. "What did he say? I know he'd believe you." She hoped he didn't.

"He didn't exactly talk about it." She gave a nonchalant shrug.

Avery wasn't happy about it but brushed it off before Sydney could suspect anything. They talked for a short while before the bell rang and Avery had to go.

"Sydney, you have a new message from Alfred Patel," Alexa said, in her Mercedes-Benz, reading out the message aloud as she drove, "Good day Sydney Reed, I'm sorry about your miscarriage, however, I'm afraid I have to put you on three months probation, Riley Steward would take over your position... And Mrs. Reed, I hope you know your actions may affect people around you."

Sydney's grip on the steering wheel loosened. She had heard so much bad news in a short space of time she didn't even care again.

She pressed a button, and Alexa said, "Replying, Alfred Patel..."

"I appreciate your decision. I just plead that you give Sofia Miller a chance to occupy my position. She's better than she thinks she is. I hope you consider my request."