Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 584

Marcus waited quietly to the side, listening for Alan's diagnosis.

Alan tucked Eliana's hand back beneath the blanket. "It matches your judgment almost exactly. A compound poison like this is extremely complex. Part of the toxin in Eliana's body has not fully taken effect yet.

"At this stage, if she takes an antidote that is not perfectly matched, it could instead accelerate the remaining toxin."

The words made Sydney's chest sink even further. She sat in silence for a long moment.

This was all because of her.

Alan knew her too well to miss the turn of her thoughts. "Enough. I'm back now. Marc will stay and help. You and Julian go home and rest properly for a day."

More persuasion would only waste time. Sending her home was the better choice.

"I want to stay here with Eliana," Sydney said.

"When I tell you to go back, you go back." Alan did not argue.

He reached out and checked her pulse, his expression uncharacteristically severe. "I noticed earlier that your complexion was off, yet you still argued with me. Go on. Check your own pulse carefully and ask yourself whether you still want this child."

Sydney pressed her lips together. "I already checked. For now, there's nothing wrong…"

"For now?" Alan frowned. "Then shouldn't you take proper care of yourself? Do you plan to wait until something happens before you feel satisfied?"

He shot Marcus a sharp look. "What are you standing around for? Go get Julian and have him take her home. None of you ever make things easy."

Alan rarely lost his temper like this. Sydney knew she could not insist any longer. "Then I'll go back first. I'll come again early tomorrow."

Ewan's results should be out by morning anyway.

Alan glanced at her. "If your complexion still looks this bad tomorrow, don't come. You'll only irritate me."

When he saw Sydney lower her lashes, his tone softened with a sigh. "You're already a grown adult, yet you cannot even take care of yourself. How do you expect to take care of Eliana and me in the future?"

Sydney pressed her lips together and nodded firmly. "I understand. Please don't worry."

Julian came in, exchanged a few words with Alan about Ewan's progress, then led Sydney away.

In the car, Julian gave her palm a light squeeze. "Alan scolded you?"

"No." Sydney sniffed softly and turned to the greenery sliding past the window.

"He was worried about me. He's afraid my body can't take it."Her voice sounded muffled.

She was not someone who failed to recognize goodwill. Alan had spoken harshly out of urgency, and he was right. She had to take care of herself first so she could properly look after him and Eliana in the future.

They were her only family.

The thought of the child possibly calling Caleb "Dad" stirred an inexplicable irritation.

…

Perhaps because Alan had returned, Sydney still worried about Eliana, yet she felt a little more at ease.

She slept deeply. When she woke, darkness had already settled outside the window. She rubbed her eyes and reached for her phone to check the time when a notification chimed.

It was a message from an unfamiliar number.

[Leave Julian, and I can give you the antidote.]

Sydney's heart tightened. She called the number at once, but no one answered. She tried several more times, with the same result.

She forced her breathing steady and typed a reply.

[Who are you? Megan?]

No. It could not be Megan.

On the way back, Julian had told her that the Hutton had already placed Megan under de facto house arrest.