Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 417

They would get married.

At a grand wedding, in front of everyone, Julian would finally take the woman he had longed for all these years. He would do it openly, proudly, completely. He would stand beside her, filled with joy, waiting for their child to arrive.

Their baby only needed to be healthy and happy. That would be enough.

“Jules.”

He had spoken only half a sentence when the bathroom door opened.

Caleb walked out carrying a plate of blueberries, set it on the bedside table, and turned to Julian with an easy smile.

“Congratulations,” he said lightly. “You’re going to be an uncle.”

The word hit Julian like a cruel joke.

“Uncle?” His eyes darkened at once. He forced a hollow laugh and looked toward Sydney, his as glass cutting into her heart. “So this child isn’t mine?”

Sydney’s heart twisted, but she still nodded. “No.”

gaze sharp

It was the simplest, cleanest way to avoid future custody battles. She had decided to keep the baby because she wanted a family of her own. But that also meant she could never risk having the child taken from her once it was born.

Julian didn’t believe a word of it. “Impossible.”

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Forcing himself to stay calm for her pregnancy’s sake, he said coldly, “If you won’t tell me the truth, I’ll ask the doctor.”

The report would prove everything. He knew the girl he had raised wasn’t someone who could be with him one day and another man the next.

Before he could move, Caleb stepped forward, blocking his path. “Jules, don’t turn this into something ugly.”

“Get out of my way.” Rage poured off Julian. Seeing Caleb stand firm only made it worse. He brushed past him and strode toward the door.

Caleb frowned and followed him into the hallway. “Sydney’s answer said it all. If the child were yours, why would she hide it from you?”

A second later, Julian’s fist smashed squarely into Caleb’s face. The blow sent him staggering against the wall.

Julian grabbed his collar, veins standing out. His dark eyes fixed on him, and he demanded with a cruel smile, “Not mine? Then it’s yours? Caleb, you think you deserve her?”

Chapter 417

He had given Caleb a chance. During the three years of their marriage, Julian had known Sydney’s heart still belonged to Caleb. Thus, he had kept his distance, cut off old friends, and stayed out of her life. He had been afraid that he wouldn’t be able to stop himself if he saw her too often.

Every time he looked at her, he wanted to draw closer. Even when he wasn’t near her, he still felt like a thief, longing for what used to be his treasure.

Caleb wiped the blood from his mouth and let out a cold laugh. “Deserve her? You think you do? Julian, neither of us are clean. I hurt her, but you’re no better.”

After Julian left her behind, he had watched Sydney change from bright and cheerful to quiet and withdrawn.

“At least, Jules hasn’t had another woman all these years,” a new, clear voice said.

Raymond stepped out of the room and quietly closed the door behind him. “You were married to her for three years, Caleb. Tell me, what were you doing during those three years?”

It was a question everyone already knew the answer to.

Caleb’s expression froze.

Before he could respond, Julian shoved him aside and stormed down the hall toward the doctor’s office.

Caleb started after him, but Raymond blocked his path. “Caleb, whatever you two once were, there are still lines you shouldn’t cross.”

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