Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 348

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 348**

**Chapter 348**

Caleb stood frozen, a chill sweeping through him as memories flooded his mind. He recalled the countless times he had meticulously dodged Sydney, all in an effort to keep Penelope feeling secure. It was a strategy that had led him to stay away from Sydney’s side, even on the most significant days of her life—her birthdays, filled with laughter and joy, had become just another reminder of his absence.

Julian’s laughter echoed in the dimly lit room, but the shadows on his face remained unyielding, a testament to the tension that hung in the air. “Enough, Caleb. I’ve had my fill. Get out,” he said, his voice sharp and commanding, cutting through the silence like a knife.

The living room was only illuminated by the faint glow of a wall lamp, casting long shadows that danced across the walls. In this empty space, both men bore the marks of their recent confrontation—fresh bruises marring their faces, reminders of the violence that had erupted moments before.

Caleb leaned against the sofa, his body weary but his spirit unbroken. He inhaled deeply, savoring the moment before turning to Julian with a slight smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“You really think that forcing Sydney into submission means she’s yours?” Caleb scoffed, the disdain evident in his tone. “Jules, no matter what you do, she will always be mine.”

With deliberate movements, he pulled out two tissues from his pocket, dabbing at the blood that trickled down his face. Each wipe felt like a small act of defiance as he made his way toward the door, his steps measured and purposeful.

Julian’s fingers, long and elegant, gripped Caleb’s collar with a fierce intensity. “She’s her own person. She doesn’t belong to anyone. You can’t own her,” he asserted, his voice steady, though frustration simmered just beneath the surface.

Caleb let out a low chuckle, the sound almost mocking. “No matter who she is or what she believes, one thing is certain: you and she will never be together,” he declared, the bitterness in his voice palpable.

The weight of their parents’ deaths loomed heavily between them, an insurmountable barrier that cast a long shadow over any future they might have hoped for.

Sydney felt the tight coil of anxiety within her begin to unwind. She made her way to the fridge, retrieving two cans of beer. She handed one to Tiffany and cracked open the other for herself, the sound of the tab popping open a small comfort.

The alcohol was a fleeting solace. With her low tolerance, even a sip could provide a brief escape from the chaos of her thoughts.

Tiffany popped her can open, taking a sip before looking at Sydney intently. “So, what really happened tonight?” she asked, her curiosity evident, eyes searching for the truth.

Sydney took a deep breath, the weight of her emotions pressing down on her. “We broke up,” she replied, the words tasting bitter on her tongue.

Even with the alcohol softening her edges, she couldn’t shake the guilt that washed over her. She remembered the lies she had told Tiffany before, the fabrications that had woven a web of deception. So, she left it at that, choosing silence over the painful truth of the agreement that had come to an end.