Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 553

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 553**

**Chapter 553**

Julian’s eyes wandered, settling on the delicate tips of her ears, now a soft shade of crimson. “My Precious is feeling shy?” he teased, a playful grin dancing across his lips.

Sydney felt a rush of warmth flood her cheeks, refusing to meet his gaze. Instead, she crawled to the edge of the bed, her heart racing as she surveyed the chaotic scene before her. Clothes lay strewn across the floor like fallen leaves, remnants of a night filled with laughter and vulnerability. She longed to bury herself beneath the covers, to escape the mess and the embarrassment that came with it.

Polly, their diligent housekeeper, made her daily rounds, transforming the rooms into sparkling sanctuaries. The thought of Polly discovering this disarray sent a shiver of dread through Sydney. She couldn’t bear the thought of facing her again if she saw the aftermath of their night together.

With a deep breath, Sydney summoned her resolve and pushed herself upright, determined to restore order. Julian, sensing her struggle, rose with a calm grace that always amazed her. He slipped into his comfortable loungewear, his movements fluid and effortless. As he bent down to gather the scattered items, it was as if he had anticipated her intentions, his eyes filled with understanding.

He collected the stockings that made her wish to vanish into thin air and lifted the remnants of the lingerie, now nothing more than tattered scraps. Each piece rested gently in his long, steady fingers, a stark contrast to the turmoil swirling within her.

Her mind drifted back to the night before, to the way his hands had caressed her skin with a tenderness that resonated deep within her bones. In those precious moments when they were closest, he had drawn her in, their noses brushing softly as he whispered words that echoed in her heart.

“I love you. Sydney, I’ll love you forever, and I’ll never desire anyone but you.”

Julian’s gaze captured her flushed face, his teasing tone breaking through her reverie. “It’s still early. What’s occupying your thoughts now?”

With him, she always felt a sense of safety, a sanctuary where pretense melted away. She had never struggled to express her feelings in his presence; they flowed from her heart as easily as breath.

“I was thinking…” Her eyes sparkled as they met his, a smile blossoming on her lips. “That I love you too.”

With those words, she felt as if she had dropped a precious gem at his feet before escaping, wrapping herself in a thin blanket and leaping from the bed in a playful dash.

As they settled down to breakfast, a thought struck Sydney like a bolt of lightning, causing her to pause. She hesitated, feeling the weight of her revelation. “There is something I need to tell you,” she finally said, her voice steady but laced with uncertainty.

Julian, ever attentive, placed a perfectly golden hash brown on her plate. “What is it?” he asked, his brow slightly furrowed with concern.

“I found out something when I went back to Brimcrest last time,” she began, taking a sip of her milk to steady her nerves. She pressed her lips together, gathering her thoughts. “My biological parents were not narcotics officers. They were kind people who took me in for a short time. They died in the line of duty before they could find my real parents.”

His hand stilled mid-motion, the gravity of her words hanging in the air between them. “You knew when you returned to Brimcrest. Why tell me now?” His voice was calm, but she could sense the undercurrents of emotion beneath the surface.

Sydney curled her fingers into her palms, a wave of vulnerability washing over her. She had never wanted to keep anything from him, yet a quiet fear lingered in the back of her mind. “I was afraid my background might become a burden to you someday.”

The confession hung heavy in the air, and Sydney felt a mix of relief and trepidation. She had shared a piece of herself, and now, she could only hope that their bond would remain unbroken.