Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 465

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 465**

**Chapter 465**

Sydney had always harbored an aversion to Penelope, yet Florence was a different story altogether—a gentle spirit in a world that often felt harsh and unyielding.

“Sydney.” Florence’s voice, tinged with fatigue from the relentless days that had worn her down, transformed as soon as she heard the soft lilt of Sydney’s greeting. “I’m heading back to Jouleston today. When you find a moment, please come to Seraph Villa again for my treatments.”

“So soon?” Sydney’s surprise was palpable, her eyebrows arching in disbelief.

Deep within her, she understood the profound depths of Florence’s guilt and the affection she held for her younger daughter. Logically speaking, after finally unearthing the lost child she had yearned for all these years, one would expect Florence to linger at the old manor for a few more days, savoring the reunion.

Florence, however, caught the underlying sentiment in Sydney’s words and merely offered a faint smile, one that barely masked the complexity of her emotions. “What’s this? Are you truly suggesting you don’t want to see me anymore?”

“Of course not,” Sydney replied, her voice steady and unwavering. “I made a promise to help heal your legs, and I intend to uphold that promise.”

Yet, instead of bringing Florence comfort, Sydney’s words tightened the knot in her chest. What Sydney truly meant was that their relationship was destined to shift—transforming into nothing more than a clinical bond between a doctor and her patient.

And that was precisely Sydney’s intention. With the tangled web of emotions that ensnared her and Penelope, establishing boundaries was the only viable option to shield Florence from unnecessary turmoil.

Once the call concluded, Sydney tossed her phone aside, her thoughts drifting to her own parents.

Where were they now? Did they ever ponder her existence, miss her, in the same way the Huttons had mourned the absence of their beloved Vee?

At Jouleston Airport, a silver jet traced a delicate white line across the vast expanse of the sky as it descended gracefully.

Tiffany, with a determined flick of her wrist, removed her sunglasses and navigated through the bustling crowd, her luggage gliding effortlessly behind her toward the exit.

From a distance, Raymond’s gaze locked onto her instantly—not merely because she was someone he recognized, but also due to her striking presence that made her impossible to overlook.

While Sydney’s beauty radiated a soft, quiet allure, Tiffany’s was vibrant and sharp, almost dazzling to the eye. Her long, wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders, and the deep crimson silk of her blouse shimmered against her skin like a beacon.

The hem of her shirt was artfully half-tucked into jeans that clung to her curves, and with every confident stride she took, the flash of her pale ankle caught the light, each step resonating with Raymond’s heartbeat.

She appeared bolder, exuding a self-assuredness that had eluded her during their university days. The timid, self-conscious girl he once knew had vanished, replaced by a woman who commanded attention.

Raymond approached her, reaching out for her suitcase, but she deftly sidestepped him, her movements fluid and deliberate.

Her assistant had originally booked her flight for the following day, but Tiffany had hastily changed it to today, her concern for Sydney outweighing all else.

The situation online was increasingly dire. If she couldn’t see her friend safe and sound with her own eyes, she wouldn’t find peace of mind.

When Julian’s meeting finally wrapped up, his gaze immediately found its way to the woman curled up on the couch.

Sydney sat there, knees drawn tightly to her chest, her chin resting upon them, seemingly lost in a labyrinth of her thoughts. In that moment, she appeared small, quiet, and profoundly sad.

He approached her, bending down to scoop her effortlessly into his arms. His voice dropped to a soft murmur, “What are you thinking about?”

The sudden motion startled her, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. Before she could fully comprehend the situation, she found herself seated across his lap, enveloped in an intimacy that felt both familiar and foreign.

At that moment, all the misunderstandings that had once clouded their relationship seemed to evaporate into thin air.

Yet, as she gazed up at him, into the calm depths of his dark eyes, Sydney felt her vision blur with unshed tears.

She could endure the world’s cruelty in silence, but the instant he offered her even a sliver of tenderness, the dam within her threatened to break.