Sydney Mdlalose's Ever After

Chapter Thirty-One.

Sitting down with the Miller family along with Elizabeth for lunch has never felt as awkward as it does today.

Karen hasn't looked up from her plate or said anything. Jason has been sitting nonchalantly and quietly at the end of the table with his plate and usual glass of bourbon.

Elizabeth has been momentarily looking at Andre and I from across the table. Knowing I'm the reason for this irregular silence, I eat quietly as well.

Andre clears his throat. "Mum, I don't know if I'm going crazy," he chuckles, "but I'm pretty sure I purchased a Range Rover a few weeks back. I just, can't remember why."

His mother glares at me before faking a smile at her son. "Yes, that you did. But you were considering selling it since you no longer needed it."

"That's not true." Elizabeth says aloud. Karen whips her head in her direction. "You bought that car for Sydney, as a wedding gift." Elizabeth looks at me. I give her a look of appreciation.

Andre looks at me and chuckles. "But, Sydney can't drive."

"You were going to teach her." Elizabeth adds. Andre looks around the table. "Well then, I guess I will." He smiles at me.

Karen rolls her eyes and stands up, dramatically exiting the room.

I look at Jason, who doesn't seem to be fazed at all. "That's my queue. Hopefully I'll get to see you kids later tonight." Andre slightly nods.

Elizabeth smirks. "Don't you think she's eager to see it?" Elizabeth then looks at me. I turn my head to Andre. "Yeah, I'd really love to see this postponed wedding gift, and my first car."

Andre chews the food he has now put into his mouth. "I first have to remember where the keys to it are." Elizabeth sighs and chuckles. "Damn, aging so soon?" She jokes.

The three of us break into laughter. "That's okay. We'll see it when you do." Andre nods.

Elizabeth sighs. "Alright. I should head out now." I push my chair out as she stands. "I'll walk you out." She looks at me with surprise and nods.

We both quietly walk to the door. She stops. "I enjoyed having dinner with you. It feels nice when we're getting along."

I step towards her. "And I appreciate your help with Karen, but just to make it clear, we're not friends." Elizabeth raises an eyebrow. "I didn't say anything about friends either, we're just not enemies."

I fold my arms. "I'm only being nice because of Andre. You're still married to my husband and that will always cause conflict between us." Elizabeth chuckles and rolls her eyes. "Have fun driving yourself crazy with your self-made conflict. I, am not interested. There's a lot more I'd rather waste time on."

She pulls the door open. "Goodnight." She closes the door behind her.

Andre's footsteps sound as he walks towards the door. I turn and smile at him. "Hey." He looks down and crosses his arms. "You really want me to divorce her, don't you?"

I look anywhere else but at him. "I just, your marriage makes me feel like I'm in second place. You know this."

Andre sighs. "Sydney, divorcing her comes with a cost." I roll my eyes. "Yeah, sure."

I walk towards the staircase. "Glad to see you remember that one."

"Is being with me not enough for you? Is my love for you not enough? Sydney, I'm human. There are wishes that I can't grant you." Andre says. I pause for a second and continue to walk upstairs.

Keith's P.O.V.
As soon as I heard that Andre was doing a lot better, I booked a flight back home.

My head knows that Sydney and I will always just be going in circles and that she will never be mine. But my heart will forever fail to do the same.

"Mr Fuller, can I offer you anything to drink?" The flight attendant asks. I shake my head and give her a small smile. She nods and walks away.

I should've said goodbye. But I didn't want to. Seeing her would've probably made me change my mind and given me reason to stay longer. Unfortunately, staying isn't healthy or good for either of us.

Andre's P.O.V.
I enter the bedroom and Sydney is getting dressed into a comfortable outfit for bed. I run my eyes down her thick body and squint my eyes at her thighs. Are those, bruise marks?

"When did you get those?" Sydney turns to me and looks down. She takes a hold of her left thigh and quickly shrugs it off. "I don't know." I look closer but still keep my distance.

My head almost starts racing when they start looking like finger marks. Did someone hit her? But why her thighs?

Sydney sits down on the bed. "It's nothing, Andre." "What do you mean nothing? It looks like someone hit you."

Sydney sighs and gets under the covers. "Did someone hit you?" "No, Andre."

I look at her. Even if someone did, she wouldn't tell me. "Can we just go to sleep?" I sigh and walk around to my side of the bed and sit down. She shifts closer towards me and places her hands on my shoulders.

"I promise you that no one hit me." She whispers behind me. I slightly turn my head in her direction. I pause and contemplate whether I should continue to push it and ask where she got the bruises from but choose not to.

More than anything, I really just want to rest. I nod my head and undress before joining her under the covers. I turn off the table lamp and close my eyes as Sydney places her head against my shoulder.