Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 290

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia**
**Chapter 290**

Sydney’s eyes felt as if they were on fire, dry and scratchy, a sensation that had crept up on her after what felt like an eternity of not blinking. She turned her gaze toward the bathroom, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips, a small victory against the weight of her thoughts.

There were moments when she found herself utterly bewildered by Julian. If she were to be completely honest, she had never truly grasped the enigma that was him.

The desire she once had for that stunning pair of high heels had long since faded into the background of her life. Now, as she spent her days immersed in the sterile environment of the clinic and the bustling chaos of the laboratory, those heels seemed more like relics of a past life—one that no longer had a place in her current reality.

At her feet, Yoyo, her loyal canine companion, brushed against her legs, as if instinctively sensing the turmoil within her. Suddenly, the little dog sprang up, attempting to wrap its paws around her waist in a clumsy display of affection.

A wave of emotion washed over Sydney, and her eyes stung with unshed tears. She crouched down, enveloping the dog in her arms, running her fingers through its soft fur, and pressing her nose against its snout.

“Good Yoyo,” she whispered softly, feeling a surge of warmth in the simple exchange.

Just then, her phone buzzed insistently, breaking the moment. She picked it up, her heart lifting slightly at the familiar voice. “Hello, Tiff?”

“Babe, when are you coming home?” Tiffany’s voice was laced with a casual cheerfulness that made Sydney smile. “I’ll have to head out in about 20 minutes.”

“I’ll be right back,” Sydney replied, the urgency of her tone evident as she hung up and called out to Julian, “I’m leaving first, Tiff’s waiting for me!”

Before he could muster a response, she was already out the door, the cool air greeting her like an old friend.

As she approached her apartment, something unusual caught her eye—a kraft paper bag dangling from the doorknob. A frown creased her forehead as she grabbed it and stepped inside, the familiar scent of home wrapping around her.

Tiffany’s keen eyes noticed it immediately. “What’s that?” she asked, curiosity piqued.

“I have no idea,” Sydney replied, her tone a mix of intrigue and confusion. She hurriedly changed and washed her hands, handing the bag to Tiffany as she made her way to the bathroom. “Open it for me. I need to brush my teeth.”

Just as she squeezed toothpaste onto her brush, Tiffany burst into the bathroom, her eyes wide with disbelief. “It’s a property deed! The owner’s name is yours!”

Sydney froze mid-brush, the toothbrush nearly slipping from her grasp.

“Julian gave it to you?” Tiffany’s question hung in the air, laden with expectation.

That wouldn’t have shocked Sydney in the least.

Shaking her head slowly, Sydney hesitated, then admitted, “It should be Caleb.”

“Really?” Tiffany turned back, her laughter bubbling up as she caught sight of Sydney’s resigned expression. “Hahahahaha!”

Who could blame her? The formidable Julian, a titan in the realm of business and an embodiment of authority, had stumbled over something so fundamentally human.

But then, a thought crossed Tiffany’s mind, and her laughter dimmed. She rubbed her nose awkwardly, her expression shifting. “Wait… doesn’t he seem kind of, I don’t know, kidney-deficient?”

Sydney trusted her friend’s instincts, knowing that observation could often reveal more than any medical examination. No pulse-taking was necessary—Tiffany’s keen eye had seen plenty.

Sydney shook her head, trying to dispel the doubt creeping in. “No. I don’t think that’s it. He should be fine.”

Yet, for a fleeting moment, she felt a flicker of uncertainty about her own assessment.

“Then…” Tiffany hesitated, choosing her words carefully, “Then he’s probably never been with a woman before. Got too excited. I didn’t expect him to be the ‘pure as snow’ type.”

In their world, men devoted solely to one woman were rare enough, let alone one who had remained untouched altogether.

Meanwhile, that very man—untouched for thirty long years—sat in his study, engrossed in his work, bringing the same unwavering focus to his tasks as he did to every high-stakes deal he navigated.