Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 294

**Chapter 294**

After passing the wallet to her, Julian casually tucked one hand into his pocket, his demeanor as serene as ever, a picture of tranquility. There was no hint of the turmoil that might have brewed beneath the surface; he was simply Julian, as he always was.

Sydney felt a momentary hesitation, a flicker of uncertainty, but with the wallet now firmly in her grasp, her curiosity piqued. What could be inside? With a quick breath, she decided to indulge her inquisitiveness.

As she unzipped the wallet, her breath caught in her throat. It was completely devoid of contents—cleaner than a beggar’s pocket. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips, a mixture of surprise and amusement dancing in her eyes.

Still under the unwavering gaze of Julian, she allowed her slender fingers to explore a hidden compartment within the wallet. To her astonishment, she retrieved a photograph. This was the very picture Charlotte had once mentioned, the one Julian had kept close to his heart, a cherished memento that now rested in her palm.

She had half-expected to find it there, had even asked for his wallet as a means to confirm her suspicions. Yet, the moment she laid eyes on the photograph—herself beaming with joy, eyes sparkling with the fervor of youth—an unexpected stillness enveloped her. It was a bittersweet reminder of a time long past. She knew better than anyone that in that moment captured in time, she hadn’t been gazing at the camera; her focus had been solely on the man behind the lens.

She had been looking at Julian.

Years had slipped by, each one dragging her further along a path of solitude, as if time itself had meticulously stripped her of everything she once held dear. Yet, with just this one nudge, memories surged back, flooding her mind like a tide reclaiming the shore.

Those treasured moments replayed vividly in her thoughts, each frame a snapshot of nostalgia, like a film reel slowed down to capture every detail. She could see herself standing before the birthday cake, eyes tightly shut, pouring every ounce of her heart into a wish. “I wish never to be separated from Julian,” she had fervently wished.

The memory of opening her eyes came rushing back, along with the flicker of something in his gaze—was it surprise? Was it joy? At that moment, she had believed he felt the same way she did, that they were bound by an unbreakable connection, that neither could endure a life without the other.

But now, as she reflected on it all, she realized the truth might have been far less romantic. He had likely been amused by her naivety. While she had yearned for an eternal bond, he had probably been contemplating how to distance himself from the overly attached girl by his side.

Sydney blinked, her gaze drifting back to the photograph. This time, she noticed the small dog nestled beside her, sitting obediently for the camera, a silent witness to their shared history.

Yoyo, the little bundle of joy he had gifted her that very birthday.

As she stood there, frozen in thought, Julian deftly took the photo from her hand, slipping it back into his wallet with a practiced ease. His tone was light, almost casual. “This photo was taken the day Yoyo came home. It’s his first picture—a keepsake.”

Sydney felt the tension in her posture begin to dissolve. Her voice emerged softly, almost a whisper. “Oh. Then cut off the half with me in it.”

“That won’t do,” Julian replied, his voice firm, carrying the weight of his usual effortless authority. “This is the best photo I’ve ever taken. The angle and composition are perfect.”