Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 362

**Chapter 362**

“It was probably from my kick,” Sydney remarked, a hint of defensiveness creeping into her tone. Almost instantly, she felt a wave of unease wash over her, realizing that she had just inadvertently implicated herself in Julian’s injury.

Julian had sustained his wounds during a fight, yet somehow, the burden of blame had shifted onto her shoulders like an unwelcome cloak.

Tiffany erupted into laughter, her voice ringing through the room with a delightful lightness. “What happened? Why’d you kick him?” she asked, her curiosity piqued, eyes sparkling with mischief.

“It’s really nothing,” Sydney replied, her cheeks flushing with warmth. She instinctively hugged the supplies closer to her chest, seeking solace in the mundane task. She scurried to the corner of the living room, where Yoyo’s little sanctuary was arranged, and began to meticulously organize his toys and blankets, avoiding Tiffany’s probing gaze.

How could she possibly confess that Julian had cornered her with an unwanted kiss, and in her shock, she had retaliated with a swift kick? The thought made her stomach churn.

Sensing that it would be best not to dig deeper into the matter, Tiffany shifted her focus. She opened the takeout bag resting on the table, a waft of delicious aromas filling the air. “Come eat first. I’m starving,” she declared, her tone cheerful and inviting.

At the mention of food, Sydney’s stomach growled in agreement, reminding her that she too had neglected her hunger. “Okay, coming,” she responded, rushing to wash her hands before joining Tiffany at the table.

The scene was unexpectedly serene: two women sharing a meal while a dog sat attentively nearby, embodying the perfect image of companionship.

Tiffany glanced at Yoyo, who was perched like a dignified little gentleman, and asked, “Did you name him? Why Yoyo?”

A sudden silence enveloped Sydney.

Julian’s last name was Sterling, and his first name was Julian. Initially, she had thought of calling the dog Juju, a playful nod to Julian, but he had firmly rejected that idea. In the end, she settled on Yoyo, a name that echoed the same playful spirit.

As she pondered this, a realization struck her like a bolt of lightning—so much of her life had been intertwined with Julian’s presence. Her temperament mirrored his, and even the name she had chosen for her dog was a reflection of him.

Just as she was contemplating how to articulate her thoughts, Caleb entered the room, his demeanor calm and collected.

He didn’t interrupt their meal; instead, he waited with quiet patience until the two women had finished eating. Once they had set aside their plates, he began to lay out the information he had gathered earlier that day, his voice steady and serious. “Right before I came up, I got word. They recovered seven bodies. But the last one… they’re not sure if he died or escaped.”

A nagging feeling tugged at Julian’s mind, an unsettling notion that Sydney’s newfound distance was somehow linked to Caleb.

Once Elliot acknowledged the order, Julian ended the call and quickly dialed another number, his heart racing with urgency.

Raymond picked up on the first ring, his familiarity with Julian evident in his tone. “The police finished the DNA test. The one who escaped was Flint Donovan, your grandmother’s old lover.”

“Your grandmother,” Julian echoed, his voice laced with disbelief.

“Fuck off,” Raymond chuckled, but there was a seriousness beneath his humor. “My grandparents were childhood sweethearts. Unlike yours, she didn’t play it wild.”

The levity faded as Raymond continued, his tone turning grave. “Bottom line, that car crash was no accident.”

Julian had reached the same conclusion, his mind racing as he stared out at the neon lights flickering through the window, his thoughts narrowing into a singular focus. “To go that far and stage something this elaborate just for a new identity… he must be planning something monumental.”

Raymond’s voice broke through his thoughts, echoing the concern that had been gnawing at him. “You’re really sure that the shootout from seven years ago, the one that almost killed you, was orchestrated by Flint’s men?”