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“Tell me now then leave,” she orders.
“I want to come in. I want to talk. I’m marrying Connor next week and I know you want to be in Syd’s life. I think it’s great, but I am really here for you. There are things you need to know.” I hold up the envelope, hoping to entice her.
I don’t get a response and a part of me feels like I failed Syd and Connor.
When the large dark wooden door swings open, I am shocked to see Sybil. She is wearing a pair of cream lounge pants with a matching sweater. Her hair is in a ponytail. She looks so young.
“Come in,” she says, and she turns away. “Close the door behind you.” She is already about twenty feet ahead of me and I scramble to close the door. With quick steps I follow her into her kitchen. It’s large and white with light wood floors, an island with black cabinets and gold accents. Each room in the house appears large, well decorated, and yet it feels sad and empty.
“You have a beautiful home,” I mutter.
Sybil walks around the island and motions for me to take a seat in front of her.
“Can I get you a coffee? Some water?” she asks, but her tone is less than hospitable.
I am a little thirsty, my throat dry from nerves. “I’m good, thanks.”
“Okay, so what information do you have for me?” She crosses her arms.
“You must know I am no longer in touch with my family,” I start. If this is going to work, I need to lay it on thick.
“I don’t care about your family dynamics.” She rolls her eyes.
“The reason I walked away is because my father’s business associate thought he could take me to bed and have fun with me as part of their deal. When I confronted my father, he told me to suck it up and do what’s best for the business. I truly don’t think he cared or gave it a second thought that a man who was close to his age physically came on to me and touched me when I asked him not to.”
Sybil’s demeanor shifts. Her shoulders slump, her chin comes down a few notches, and her lips turn upside down, but the most telling is the look in her eyes. The emotions she is conveying. “I’m sorry that happened to you.”
“What I have in this envelope proves that Warren is made of the same cloth as my father’s associate,” I say, holding up the envelope.
“I don’t know what you mean. I love Warren.” Her lip quivers. “His family may be going into business with mine, but we deeply care for each other. We plan to start a family.” Her words cut me deep, and I feel for her because I see she cares for Warren more than he deserves.
“I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news then, but the day I went out with you and Syd, Warren hit on me. He touched me without permission and told me he could make it worth my while if he took me to bed.”
“You’re joking,” she huffs.
“I wish I was. I hate to deliver this information, but I care about Syd and I am sure you do too. Having a man like him around her is dangerous. He doesn’t think the rules apply to him.”
“What do you have in that envelope, Ellie? I really don’t believe a fucking word you are saying right now. I know Connor is freaked about sharing custody. He’s always been a bit of a control freak where Sydney is concerned.”
“I’m not here to argue with you, Sybil. I wanted to bring this information myself.” I push the envelope across the white granite counter.
Sybil takes it and looks at the pictures of Warren groping me. Her face remains stone cold.
“So, he touched your shoulder,” she counters with a nonchalant shrug.
“His thumb caressed my skin back and forth,” I say incredulously.
“This doesn’t prove anything.” She spins away and begins to pace. “This is bullshit.”
Her eyes dart left to right and back again.
“Maybe this will convince you,” I say, and I place the small recorder that’s maybe half the size of the palm of my hand on the counter and I press play.
Sybils eyes turn wide as she hears Warren’s voice with clarity as we listen to the recording.
“She’s a sweet kid.”
“She is.”
