Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 428

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 428**

Chapter 428

The unexpected kiss took Julian completely by surprise, leaving him momentarily stunned.

Sydney, with her clumsy technique, seemed to have no idea what she was doing, yet there was something about that awkwardness that only heightened his heartbeat. It was as if her inexperience was a spark, igniting the final remnants of his restraint.

And in that moment, he found himself willing to surrender completely.

In a swift motion, he shifted their positions, drawing her closer into his embrace. His strong arm encircled her waist, pulling her against him as he deepened the kiss, driven by an urgency he could no longer contain. Their breaths intertwined, mingling in the air, laced with the subtle fragrance of sandalwood that lingered around them.

For a fleeting moment, Sydney entertained the thought that if time could freeze right here and now, it would be a perfect moment—an eternal pause where nothing else existed but the two of them, lost in this shared intimacy.

But the gentle night breeze caressed her skin, a stark reminder of reality that jolted her back to her senses. With a surge of adrenaline, she pushed him away, gasping for breath, her mind racing. She had to regain control before she lost herself entirely in this whirlwind of emotions.

After taking a steadying breath, she managed to muster a small smile, feigning nonchalance. “Mr. Sterling, your willingness doesn’t really matter. I’m not in the business of making someone a stepfather.”

His brows furrowed, almost amused yet tinged with disbelief. “My willingness doesn’t matter?” Julian’s voice held a note of incredulity, quickly morphing into frustration.

He ran his thumb across his lips, the warmth of their shared moment now replaced by a chill. “Then what was that kiss, Sydney? What on earth was that supposed to signify?”

‘Who taught her to do that? To steal my breath and just walk away? Oh right, that fool Caleb,’ he thought bitterly, irritation bubbling beneath the surface.

“Fainted?” Sydney’s heart plummeted, a wave of dread washing over her. She dashed toward the stairs, her pulse racing as she forced herself to maintain a calm facade. “How did it happen? Did she fall?”

Florence’s blood pressure had been stable for weeks; a sudden collapse like this was utterly bewildering.

The housekeeper’s anxious demeanor only added to her worry. “She was in the middle of an argument with Mr. Hutton,” she explained, her voice trembling slightly. “They were heatedly discussing something when she—”

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Chapter 429