Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 451

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 451**

**Chapter 451**

As Julian ended the call, he instinctively wrapped an arm around Sydney’s waist, his other hand deftly typing a message on his phone. The warmth of her body against him provided a sense of comfort amidst the chaos of their situation.

“Don’t worry. Alan and the others will be fine,” he reassured her gently, his voice steady.

Sydney, sensing the calmness in his demeanor, felt her tension begin to dissipate. “Okay,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

With a soft sigh, she leaned against his chest, her eyelids growing heavy as the weight of the day began to pull her into slumber. Julian, ever attentive, noticed the rhythmic rise and fall of her breathing as she surrendered to sleep. He brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, his fingers lingering for a moment longer than necessary, and turned to Elliot, signaling him to ease up on the speed.

He allowed her the peace of rest, knowing how restless she could be even in her dreams. As a child, she had never been one to lie still, and that hadn’t changed with age. Every now and then, she would shift in his embrace, yet her eyes remained closed, her expression serene.

Julian’s gaze fell to her waist, his fingers tracing the warm skin beneath his touch. He noted how she had filled out a bit over the years, the gentle curve of her belly drawing his attention. A wave of emotion washed over him, darkening his eyes. He felt a mix of protectiveness and something deeper, an unnameable feeling that stirred within him.

Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered by the ringing of Sydney’s phone. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open, and saw Caleb’s name on the screen.

Julian hesitated, a flicker of annoyance crossing his mind as he contemplated declining the call. But before he could act, Sydney had already picked up, glancing at him with a mix of curiosity and concern. “Hello?” she answered, her voice still thick with sleep.

Back in Brimcrest, Caleb had been the one to pull her from the brink of disaster. If it hadn’t been for him, that accident could have spiraled into something far more catastrophic.

“Syd, I saw what’s happening online,” Caleb’s voice came through, steady yet laced with tension. “I’m flying back to Jouleston tomorrow. Do you want to come with me?”

Still groggy from sleep, Sydney shot him an irritated glare before responding, “No. I’m with Jules.”

The line fell silent, the weight of her words hanging in the air.

Once upon a time, hearing that would have filled Caleb with reassurance. He had always convinced himself that he viewed Sydney as a younger sister, a bond forged in friendship rather than blood. With Julian being her “brother,” it had seemed perfectly acceptable—no familial ties, no legal obligations, yet close enough that their circle embraced it as family. When she was with Julian, he had felt a sense of ease wash over him.

But now, uncertainty gnawed at him, leaving him at a loss for words.

Was it jealousy that coursed through him? Perhaps.

He had once blamed Julian for the shift in their dynamic, but those feelings had faded. Deep down, he recognized that he yearned for the same connection, the same depth of emotion that Julian had with Sydney.