Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 263

**Chapter 263**

Julian’s expression hardened, his lips forming a tight line that spoke volumes of his displeasure. “If it matters so much, why can you never remember?” His voice cut through the air, sharp and accusatory, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

Sydney blinked, momentarily taken aback by the weight of his words. It took her a heartbeat to grasp his meaning, and when she did, a flicker of relief washed over her, lightening the burden of guilt she had been carrying. He had indeed denied it countless times. Almost every time she had mustered the courage to take him seriously, he had turned away, leaving her feeling dismissed and small.

She pressed her lips together, feeling the familiar sting of regret. “Many times,” she finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

“And yet?” His tone dripped with the same reproach that had haunted her childhood, but now it was colder, more distant. “When others speak, you choose to believe them. Whoever it may be, you trust their words. But me? You do not trust me?”

His words struck her like a physical blow, lodging themselves deep in her chest and making her feel unsteady. There had been a time when she had trusted him completely, a time when his presence had felt like an anchor in her turbulent world. But when he had left, the reality of that loss had been too much to bear. She had pleaded with him, called him her Precious, her lifeline, and she had cried, clinging desperately to him as if letting go would mean losing herself.

But now, that fierce emotion felt like a distant memory, replaced by a bitter emptiness. A sour taste rose in her throat, and she turned her gaze away, focusing on the seatback in front of her, willing the tears not to fall.

After a heavy silence, she murmured, “You didn’t tell me you came back either.”

Julian’s eyes remained fixed on her, but he seemed to miss the weight of her words. Instead, he observed the way she sank into the familiar softness of the moment, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth revealing the hint of a smile. “So what’s your explanation?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.

“I didn’t mean to stay at Viridian Garden,” Sydney replied quickly, her words tumbling out in a rush. “Caleb wouldn’t let me leave.”

A bitter thought crept into her mind. *You didn’t return my calls. Not once.*

Julian, having spent years under the same roof, recognized the flicker of resentment that danced in her eyes. “Anything else? Go ahead, say it all,” he prodded, his voice firm.

Sydney was acutely aware that his silence had been a reflection of her own. He hadn’t reached out, and this was his way of exacting retribution. It suited him, and it stung.

She chose not to press the issue any further. Instead, she redirected her focus to the real concern at hand. Caleb was unstable, and if Julian was willing to assist her, it would allow her to maintain as much distance from him as possible.

Just as she was about to voice her thoughts, her phone buzzed, interrupting her train of thought.

The first message read: [About the investigation—if you ask Julian, I will have all traces destroyed.]

The second message followed swiftly: [I guarantee Julian will find nothing.]

The weight of the situation settled heavily on her shoulders as she processed the implications of those words.