Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 496

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You**
**by Aurelia**
**Novel 496**

**Chapter 496**

“A child…” Julian thought to himself, grappling with the weight of that reality. It was a notion he could manage, at least in theory.

“It was me,” Sydney declared, her tone surprisingly unflinching. There was no hint of shame in her voice; she had endured far greater humiliations in her life. The secrets she once clutched tightly were now laid bare, leaving her exposed yet strangely liberated.

She blinked steadily, her voice unwavering. “But it wasn’t out of some love-induced haze. It was driven by a desperate need… for a taste of freedom.”

“Freedom?” Julian repeated, his voice barely above a whisper, as if the word itself held a deeper significance.

In that moment, he froze, the full weight of her admission crashing over him like a tidal wave. It was as if a heavy, soaked sponge had lodged itself in his throat, rendering him momentarily speechless, suffocating him with the realization of what she had sacrificed.

A deep surge of regret clawed at his chest, a tumultuous storm of emotions that he struggled to contain. The dim light inside the car flickered across his features, mercifully concealing the turmoil swirling in his eyes. All this time, he had been under the impression that she had married Caleb out of an all-consuming love, a passion so profound it had swept her away. He had never fathomed that her choice had stemmed from a desperate need to breathe, to escape.

His eyes began to glisten with unshed tears, and he leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. His voice came out hoarse, laden with sympathy. “Precious, you have endured so much hardship over the years.”

A faint smile touched Sydney’s lips, a bittersweet acknowledgment of their shared struggles. “Jules, you’ve had your own battles to fight too.”

She understood. Ever since Charlotte had confided in her about Julian’s near-fatal experience years ago, she had been acutely aware that his life had been anything but easy.

The air between them shifted, becoming tender and charged with unspoken emotions. Sydney felt a strong urge to alleviate his guilt; she didn’t want him to carry the burden of blame. “But don’t you still owe me an answer?” she prompted, steering the conversation in a different direction.

His eyes softened, a hint of amusement flickering within them. “What question are you referring to?”

“You promised to help me gather evidence against Eloise. Aren’t you concerned about the rumors that might swirl? About what people might say?”

If it had only been her reputation on the line, Sydney would have brushed it off without a second thought. The quest for revenge on behalf of her parents was worth any insult, even if it meant being labeled a traitor, a snake, or an ungrateful wolf. But this time, she didn’t want him to be dragged into the mess.

When Julian noticed the worry etched across her face, he opened his mouth to respond. But before he could utter a word, the divider between the front and back seats slid down, and Elliot’s voice cut through the air.

“Mr. Sterling, Madam has found out you’ve relocated to Haven. She’s en route as we speak. She even brought dinner.”

“Understood,” Julian replied curtly, his tone leaving no room for further discussion.

Sydney opened the door and stepped out, the tall figure of Julian following closely behind. His hand instinctively found hers, their fingers intertwining as they walked toward the elevator, looking every bit like a couple newly returned from a long day at work.

As they reached their floor, the elevator doors slid open smoothly, revealing the corridor ahead.

Yet, for reasons she couldn’t quite articulate, a ripple of unease coursed through Sydney. Her resistance to Eloise ran deep, an instinctual response she couldn’t control.

Julian squeezed her hand gently, grounding her amidst the swirling thoughts.

“Don’t worry,” he murmured, his voice steady and reassuring. “None of the things you’re imagining are going to happen.”

“What do you mean?” she asked, trailing behind him as they exited the elevator.

The door to Julian’s apartment stood ajar, Agatha waiting patiently in the entryway.

The older woman’s face lit up with a warm smile. “Oh my, Sydney, you’re back too?”

Sydney blinked, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected warmth of the greeting. Then, a small laugh escaped her lips. “I think you’ve got the wrong door. My place is across the hall.”