Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 427

Chapter 427

For a moment, the air around the dinner table froze.

Sydney knew exactly what he meant, but uncertainty churned inside her. She instinctively looked up.

Under the warm glow of the chandelier, Julian’s sharp features seemed even more defined-stern, cool, distant, as if carved from stone.

She almost doubted her own hearing. Had those words truly come from his mouth?

But when his dark eyes met hers, she knew.

Yes. They had.

Heat rushed through her chest. She lowered her gaze, avoiding his steady stare. Something inside her surged uncontrollably—an ache, a longing she could neither name nor suppress.

Megan was oblivious to the tension, and her smile widened.

“Then let’s make a bet,” she said brightly. “We’ll see who gives in first. Me or whoever you’re waiting for.”

Raymond’s patience finally snapped. “Can’t you tell he doesn’t even want to look at you? Can’t you keep quiet for one meal?”

No one knew better than he did. Julian would never look at Megan that way. That man had already fallen, completely and irrevocably, for Sydney.

He had repeatedly warned his sister not to chase an impossible dream. Yet the more she failed, the harder she pushed.

Megan’s face flushed with anger. “Raymond! Are we even family anymore?”

Theodore shot his son a glare. “You come home once in a century, and the first thing you do is upset your sister.”

“I don’t have that many sisters,” Raymond said with a faint smile, his tone calm but firm. “Just one older sister, and one younger one, Vee.”

“Dad!” Tears welled in Megan’s eyes. “Did you hear what he just said? Him, Diana, James… none of them ever-

Megan had joined the Hutton family when she was seven, growing up alongside the others. But no matter how many years passed, they had never truly seen her as one of them.

Theodore was the only one who ever treated her like family.

Florence’s expression darkened, but she said nothing.

Trying to ease the tension, Raymond arched a brow and turned to Julian. “Had enough to eat? Come on, I’ll show you my father’s collection room. He’s got a treasure trove of antiques.”

Theodore had no bad habits, but he did have an obsession with rare artifacts.

Julian raised a brow, then nodded, “Alright.”

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Chapter

As the two men left, Sydney knew she should not stay either.

“Mr. and Mrs. Hutton,” she said politely, rising from her seat. “Thank you for dinner. I’ll head upstairs first.”

She had just started up the stairs when faint sounds of argument drifted from the dining room. Megan’s broken sobs echoed behind her.

Sydney did not pause. She quickened her pace and went upstairs.

A guest should always know their place.

Just as she reached her room, a light tap landed on her shoulder. She turned, startled, to see Raymond.

“Ray, what is it?”

He nodded toward her room. “Just checking. Are you comfortable here?”

“I am,” she said with a small smile.

Strangely, she really was. She usually had trouble sleeping in unfamiliar places, yet she had slept soundly here.

“Good.” Raymond nodded, then cleared his throat. “There’s a small terrace on the fourth floor. The night view’s great. Go take a look if you get bored.”

The Hutton estate rose halfway up the mountain, and it reminded her of how she and Julian once climbed out the window at the Sterling estate to sit on the rooftop and watch Jouleston below.

She had always loved night views.

After Raymond left, she noticed it was still early and decided to go up for some fresh air.

Before she reached the terrace railing, a familiar, cool voice came from behind her. “If you really want to draw a line between us, why can’t you at least pretend not to care?”

Sydney’s back stiffened. She turned too quickly. “What are you talking about? I don’t understand.”

Julian’s hand was in his pocket as he walked toward her, his steps deliberate.

“Don’t understand,” he echoed softly with a dangerous smile. “Truly, or conveniently?”

Under his

she

gaze, she felt completely exposed, every emotion she had tried to bury laid bare. With this man, never had anywhere to hide. He could shatter her composure with just a few words, like now, using Megan’s teasing to push her to the edge.

Julian’s eyes stayed fixed on her, his brows drawing together. “So you did understand, didn’t you?”

It sounded like a question, but his tone left no doubt.

Sydney inhaled slowly and forced down the ache rising in her chest. “Yes, I did. So what?”

She met his gaze, her voice calm but trembling at the edges. “Mr. Sterling, are you saying you’re willing to be someone’s stepfather?”

He stepped closer, and she instinctively stepped back. Then, unexpectedly, he gave a low laugh-half bitter, half

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Chapter 427

resigned.

“If I said yes, would that make you happy?” he murmured.

Sydney froze.

He held her gaze, his eyes dark and unreadable. “If that’s what it takes, then fine.”

His voice dropped to a husky whisper. “I said yes, Sydney. I’ll take it. I’ll be the damn stepfather.”

Each syllable fell heavy and sharp, cutting straight into her chest. For a moment, her mind went blank.

At dinner, when he had rejected Megan so clearly, she had assumed she had understood him. However, she had never imagined this.

A proud, untouchable man like him, born to stand above others, was now lowering his head for her. And yet, after all those years wishing he would yield just once, she felt no joy-only pain.

His words were like barbed hooks, sinking into her heart and twisting deep. Her chest ached so much she could hardly breathe.

In the moonlight, she lifted her eyes and met his. Those dark, fathomless eyes were full of something raw and dangerous.

Just as his lips parted to speak again, something inside her broke loose. Before she could think, she rose onto her toes, reached up, and kissed him.

She didn’t even know why. Maybe because, deep down, she didn’t want him to lower his head. A man like him should never have to bow to anyone.

P

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