Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 538

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 538**

**Chapter 538**

After finishing her lunch, Sydney felt a sudden tug of nostalgia, a realization that it had been far too long since she last visited Alan and Eliana. The thought of their warm hospitality and the comfort of their company was enough to coax her into action. With the afternoon stretching before her like an open canvas, she decided to invite Tiffany to join her on this little excursion.

Agatha, ever perceptive to the bonds of love and gratitude, was aware of how much Sydney owed to the couple. They had been pillars of support during some of her darkest days. Before they set off, Agatha called out to Polly, her voice filled with a gentle authority. “Polly, dear, could you please load several boxes of gifts into the car?”

Sydney turned to Agatha, a smile blooming on her face. “Thank you so much,” she said, her voice laced with genuine appreciation.

Agatha straightened her collar, her expression softening with fondness. “Thank me for what, my dear?” she replied, her tone reminiscent of a grandmother fussing over a cherished grandchild. “Those gifts belong to Jules. And what’s his is yours, my dear.”

To Agatha, Sydney represented more than just a beloved figure in their family; she embodied the faith that had seen her grandson through perilous trials, moments that had danced on the edge of life and death. Now that Julian’s long-held dream had finally blossomed into reality, Agatha felt an overwhelming sense of joy and fulfillment.

Sydney chuckled softly, her laughter warm and inviting. “Then they’re ours! From this day forward, we shall spend his money together,” she declared playfully.

Although her own earnings were more than sufficient, she knew that such words would bring a light to Agatha’s eyes, so she spoke them with sincerity.

They didn’t call ahead; Sydney knew Alan and Eliana would insist on preparing her favorite dishes, and she didn’t want to impose on them. Her intention was to drop by for a brief chat before whisking Tiffany away for a shopping adventure.

However, as they stepped through the courtyard gate, arms laden with gifts, they unexpectedly found themselves face-to-face with Caleb.

The sight of him jolted her. After the unsettling incident with Adeline just days prior, Caleb’s presence stirred a mix of emotions within Sydney, leaving her feeling slightly apprehensive.

“Syd. Ms. Voss,” Caleb greeted, his voice steady and composed. His gaze flickered to the bags Sydney held, and without hesitation, he stepped forward, offering his assistance. “Let me carry those in for you.”

For a fleeting moment, Sydney hesitated, weighing her options. But then she relented, handing over the gifts. “Thank you,” she replied, her tone softening.

Caleb moved with purpose, swiftly making his way to the door to deliver the gifts before Sydney and Tiffany could even follow.

When Tiffany finished her tale, a heavy silence enveloped the room. Alan’s expression turned somber, while Eliana’s intrigue deepened.

“Wait, you’re saying that old witch not only abused Sydney but once tried to have Julian killed?” Eliana questioned, her eyes wide with disbelief.

“That’s precisely what it sounds like,” Tiffany confirmed with a nod. She and Sydney had discussed it just the night before, piecing together the unsettling puzzle.

In the aftermath of that attack on Julian, everyone had assumed it was a mere power struggle within the Sterling family. But reflecting on it now, it was clear that Eloise had wielded complete control over the company at that time.

Would anyone have dared to lay a finger on the family’s eldest grandson without her covert encouragement? The thought was chilling, and they had simply refused to accept that a grandmother could harbor such cruelty.

Meanwhile, outside the entryway, Caleb’s gaze fell to Sydney’s gently rounded belly. A moment of silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words, before he finally broke it. “Now that you’re showing, does it hurt? I read that some women experience back pain,” he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Sydney blinked, momentarily taken aback by his tenderness. He remained unchanged—gentle, patient, and endlessly considerate, just as she remembered.