Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 457

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 457**
**Chapter 457**

A soft click of the tongue echoed from the bathroom, followed by a voice that was both teasing and low. “I meant my abs. What were you thinking about?”

Sydney felt her heart skip a beat, her mind racing with a flurry of thoughts that had taken a rather inappropriate turn. Whenever they shared a space, it was as if her brain had a mind of its own, drifting into realms of fantasy that left her feeling both exhilarated and flustered.

Thank goodness for the closed bathroom door; it served as a barrier between her and the embarrassment that was surely painting her cheeks a deep shade of crimson. She could only imagine the look on Julian’s face if he could see her now, the heat creeping up her neck betraying her inner turmoil.

Through the frosted glass, Julian caught a glimpse of her silhouette retreating as if she were fleeing from the very thoughts that plagued her. A subtle smile crept onto his lips, a mix of amusement and affection dancing in his eyes.

Approaching the sink, he noticed something immediately that sent a wave of relief washing over him. His electric toothbrush still rested beside hers, untouched and still in its place. The realization that she had neglected to put it away indicated that Caleb was definitely not spending the night here, a thought that soothed the simmering resentment he had been nursing since the news of the baby had broken.

Outside, Sydney leaned against the bed, her heart racing as she listened to the rhythmic sound of water cascading from the faucet. Her thoughts spiraled back to the toothbrush and the solitary bath towel hanging inside the bathroom, both symbols of their unspoken connection.

Knowing Julian, she imagined he would soon emerge, stretch out lazily across her bed, and make himself at home, as if he belonged there.

With a hint of mischief, she poked at her stomach through the soft fabric of her pajamas, whispering to herself, “When you finally arrive, just know that you’d better not inherit your father’s impossible personality.”

But the truth was, genetics were a fickle thing, and she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of anxiety about the unpredictable nature of life.

Yet, she wasn’t the only one awake that night.

Adeline’s thoughts were a tangled web of confusion and concern.

The chaos that had erupted during Albus’ birthday party had left her reeling, a whirlwind of emotions crashing over her.

Penelope was the Hutton family’s long-lost daughter? The very idea was audacious, leaving her utterly stunned and grappling with the implications of such a revelation.

The divorce proceedings she had orchestrated behind his back had created a rift between them, and Caleb had grown distant. Yet, even in that moment, he couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you still awake?”

It was nearly 2:00 a.m., a time when she usually found herself deep in slumber, lost in dreams.

Adeline’s mind was still racing, and his question provided her with a lifeline to cling to. “I was thinking about Penelope. What do you suppose we should do about her? Do you think she’ll try to tarnish our family’s name in front of the Huttons?”

If she did, it would be a true testament to how the Hamptons had raised an ungrateful wolf.

The news of the Huttons finding their long-lost daughter had already sent ripples through Brimcrest society. The party had been filled with guests, and the family seemed to revel in the revelation, not bothering to keep it under wraps. Word had spread like wildfire, and there was no way Caleb hadn’t heard about it.

“Even if she does, so what? The Huttons’ attitude toward her was crystal clear tonight,” he replied coolly, his tone betraying no emotion.

With their influence in Brimcrest, they could have easily cleared her name with a single word, yet they hadn’t lifted a finger to do so. Before the party had even concluded, Penelope had been whisked away by the police, leaving a cloud of uncertainty hanging over everyone. And the DNA test results? They were still pending, leaving the entire situation hanging in the balance.