Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 406

**Chapter 406**

As the last remnants of dinner lingered on the table, an unspoken tension hung in the air, thick enough to cut with a knife. Julian, seemingly aware of the weight of the moment, rose from his chair with a deliberate grace.

“It’s getting late,” he stated, his voice steady and devoid of emotion. “You’ve had a long day. Get some rest.”

With that, he turned away, leaving the words to hang in the air like a distant echo, not bothering to see if Caleb grasped the underlying message.

Caleb, caught in a web of conflicting emotions, felt an urge to remain, but the weight of Julian’s departure pressed heavily upon him. He swiftly cleared the table, his movements mechanical, and loaded the dishwasher with a sense of finality. “I’ll head down too,” he announced, the words tumbling out as if to fill the silence.

But then he paused, a genuine warmth breaking through his earlier tension. A smile crept across his face, softening the edges of his demeanor. “Almost forgot to congratulate you. From now on, you can finally live life on your own terms.”

He understood the significance of the drug’s successful launch for Sydney, the freedom it promised her.

Sydney offered a faint smile in return, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. “Thank you.”

As they made their way to the elevator, the atmosphere shifted, charged with unspoken feelings and lingering doubts. When the elevator doors slid shut behind Caleb, Sydney turned to retreat to her apartment, only to find Julian emerging from his own across the hall, effectively blocking her path.

He stood there, tall and imposing, his posture rigid as he looked down at her. His gaze flicked momentarily to the elevator, then returned to her, intense and unwavering.

“Not planning to take responsibility?” he questioned, his voice carrying an edge of accusation.

She frowned, confusion knitting her brow. “Responsibility for what?”

“The Internet’s full of rumors.” His eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of wounded pride seeping into his tone. “People are already speculating that we’re getting married.”

Sydney had stumbled upon those comments herself, and a chill swept through her. Her expression hardened, a wall rising between them.

“If those people knew how hard I worked to escape the Sterling family, they wouldn’t be saying that,” she replied dryly, her voice laced with bitterness.

The ghosts of her past haunted her thoughts. Beyond the tragedy of her parents’ deaths, the torment inflicted by Eloise was enough to seal her resolve never to return to that den of wolves.

He continued, “Sydney, from the moment you called me ‘Brother’ for the first time at seven years old, I’ve never wanted to stand on anyone else’s side.”

The memories flooded back to him—when she had first been introduced into the Sterling family. At that time, he had barely noticed her, a mere shadow in the chaos of his life. Then tragedy struck; his parents were taken from him, and Eloise seized control, leaving him feeling isolated and alone.

That fateful night…

As Julian kept vigil beside his parents’ coffins, lost in a sea of grief, Sydney had appeared out of nowhere—a fragile little girl clutching two nearly expired lemon candies, her presence a surprising light in the darkness.

With unsteady hands, she peeled one open and offered it to him, placing it gently in his mouth. In the next heartbeat, the delicate girl knelt beside him, her large dark eyes sparkling like black grapes in the flickering candlelight.

She asked softly, “Is it sweet?”

Then, in a serious little voice, she added, “Mom said, when you’re sad, eat something sweet. When your mouth feels sweet, your heart won’t hurt as much.”

Julian sat there, stiff and silent, as the candy slowly dissolved on his tongue, its sweetness a stark contrast to the bitterness of his sorrow. Finally, he broke the silence, his voice barely above a whisper. “What about your mom? Why are you in my house?”