Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 336

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 336**

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Chapter 336

“Ahh!” Penelope’s scream pierced the stillness of the night, echoing through the small confines of the bathroom.

With Adeline absent and Dorothy settled comfortably on the first floor, Penelope seized the fleeting opportunity to unleash her pent-up fury and frustration. The weight of her predicament pressed down on her like a heavy fog, suffocating her with every breath. It was simply unbearable to contemplate the idea of carrying this child to term. In a frantic rush, she fumbled for her phone, her fingers trembling as she hastily booked an obstetrics appointment, her heart pounding in her chest.

“What on earth are you yelling about in the middle of the night?” Adeline’s voice suddenly broke through the tension, ringing out from just outside the bathroom door, sharp and accusatory.

Startled, Penelope’s heart raced. She quickly hurled the pregnancy test into the trash can, burying it beneath a pile of tissues as if to hide her shame. With a deep breath, she turned off her phone, feeling the weight of her secret pressing against her, and reluctantly forced herself to open the door.

“Mom, didn’t you go to Ms. Rodney’s gathering? How are you back so early?” she asked, trying to mask her anxiety with a facade of nonchalance.

“If I hadn’t come back early, how could I hear you losing it?” Adeline shot her a suspicious glance, her brow furrowing as she scanned the chaos within the bathroom. “What’s happening? Don’t tell me you’ve done something shameful again.”

“Of course not,” Penelope replied, her voice steady and calm, even as her mind raced to concoct a believable excuse. “I just got some news about Sydney. Mom, did you hear? She’s been getting very close with the Huttons lately.”

“Then stay away from her!” Adeline’s voice was firm, a warning laced with concern. “I don’t want any trouble coming back to the Hampton family. Behave yourself! If I find out you’ve done anything to disgrace us, you won’t have an easy time!”

“I know! Don’t worry!” Penelope assured her, relief flooding her as Adeline turned to leave.

Once the door clicked shut, Penelope leaned against it, her heart still racing, cold sweat trickling down her back. She reopened her phone, her fingers trembling as she canceled the hospital appointment. A wave of lingering dread washed over her. If she went, the Hamptons would only need to glance at the records to uncover the truth she desperately wanted to hide.

‘But this child…’ Her thoughts sharpened, and her eyes narrowed as a new idea took root. Perhaps this unexpected pregnancy didn’t have to be a burden after all. It could serve a purpose, a means to an end she had yet to fully envision.

Meanwhile, Sydney and Julian had just returned to Haven after an uneventful dinner. The meal had left her feeling unsettled, a disquiet she couldn’t shake.

Julian noticed her brisk pace, the way she moved as if trying to escape something unseen, and instinctively reached for her hand, grounding her in that moment.

“If I said I regretted it, would that make you feel better?” His voice was calm, a rare gentleness threading through his words, a stark contrast to the turmoil swirling within her.

He had never admitted this to anyone before, but the truth was, he genuinely regretted it. Countless nights had passed where he had replayed the moments in his mind, wishing he had been stronger, wishing he could have sheltered her under his wings forever.

Sydney froze mid-step, lifting her head to meet his gaze, and the question that had haunted her for years slipped from her lips. “If you regret it, then why did you abandon me back then? Julian, don’t you owe me an explanation?”

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**End of Chapter 336**