Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 509

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 509**

**Chapter 509**

Sydney held onto the hope that somewhere within Julian, a flicker of decency remained. If it hadn’t, he would have surely pushed things further than a mere few kisses.

Yet, she was acutely aware that she couldn’t keep testing his limits. “If I… if I call you one more time, that should suffice, right?” she ventured, her voice barely above a whisper, laced with a mix of uncertainty and defiance.

This was the same man who had once kissed her senseless through a closed door, igniting a fire within her that she had tried to extinguish ever since.

Julian nodded, a simple “Mm” escaping his lips, but the weight of his gaze felt heavy on her.

Realizing she needed to escape this tangled web of emotions, Sydney made a snap decision—she would run for it.

“Jules,” she blurted out, her tone devoid of warmth, stripped bare of the playful banter they often shared. The word tumbled out in a rush, awkward and clumsy, like a child trying to grasp a complicated concept.

Just then, a sharp knock echoed against the bathroom door, followed by Raymond’s unmistakable voice, tinged with impatience. “Jules? You’ve been washing your hands for a while in there. Dinner’s getting cold.”

Panic surged through Sydney, freezing her in place. The embarrassment washed over her like a tidal wave; if only there had been a hole in the floor, she would have gladly slipped into it. She shot Julian a glare, her eyes pleading for him to let her go, but he merely tightened his grip.

“Coming,” he replied nonchalantly, as if they were merely discussing the weather, not caught in a moment of undeniable tension. His gaze remained locked on her, unwavering. “That didn’t sound sincere.”

‘So demanding,’ she thought, her heart racing as panic flared within her. Agatha and Raymond were waiting outside, and the last thing she wanted was for them to catch wind of this awkward moment.

She bit her lip, frustration bubbling to the surface. “Jules! Jules! Is that good enough?” she snapped, her voice rising in exasperation.

In that moment, she was transported back to her childhood, where she would shout his name defiantly until he finally relented, making her say “Jules” with a mix of annoyance and affection. On the rare occasions she sought his help, she would adopt that same pleading, half-whiny tone, a sound that had always melted his heart.

Finally, satisfied with her outburst, Julian released her, and Sydney wasted no time bolting from his grasp.

To her relief, he had shown remarkable restraint. Despite the stolen kisses they had shared, her makeup remained untouched, a small victory in an otherwise chaotic evening.

As she stepped out, she found the hallway empty; Raymond had likely retreated to the dining room with Agatha, leaving her to navigate this unfamiliar territory alone.

A maid approached her, offering a polite smile. “This way, please, Ms. Wilson.”

A single glance at the spread of dishes told Sydney that the chef was still the same. In her youth, she had devoured everything without complaint, but years of indulgence had turned her into a picky eater. The chef had long since learned her preferences and catered to them.

After what felt like an eternity, Julian finally made his entrance. He pulled out the chair beside Sydney with a smooth grace, settling down effortlessly.

“Eat slowly,” he instructed, his tone warm and gentlemanly. “I’ll take you home after dinner.”

This considerate side of him felt worlds apart from the man who had pinned her against the counter just minutes earlier, and she found herself momentarily lost in thought.

Sydney, who had taken a cab to the mansion, was about to respond when Agatha interjected, her voice firm. “No need. Sydney will be staying here with me for a while.”

Raymond caught the subtle glimmer of realization in Julian’s eyes and nearly rolled his own in exasperation. ‘What a schemer,’ he thought, amused by the unfolding dynamics.

Julian simply nodded, his expression contemplative. “Alright.”

“I’ll still need to stop by home to grab some clothes and things,” Sydney chimed in, blissfully unaware of the silent exchange between the others. “Since you’re staying at Haven, you can just drop me off. I’ll take a cab back after.”