Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 776

Florence spotted Sydney coming downstairs and immediately waved her over. "Sydney, come look at this. James picked it out himself for the baby."

Smiling, Sydney walked over and examined it carefully before nodding in approval.

"It's really nice." She looked at him as she spoke. "Thank you, James."

"What are you thanking him for? Buying clothes for the baby is the least he can do." Florence said it as though it were obvious, then caught herself and quickly added, "Besides, it would hardly be fair to the brotherly way you treat him."

James sighed, looked at Sydney, and laughed despite himself. "These days my mom only has eyes for you. Ray and I don't even rank anymore."

"When did you ever rank?" Raymond shot back lazily. He picked up a glass of water, walked over to Tiffany, and held it out. "Drink some water."

Tiffany glanced at him and accepted it. Their fingertips brushed at the rim of the cup, and they both pulled away at once.

Watching from the side, Sydney felt the corners of her mouth lift without realizing it.

Agatha showed no sign of noticing and simply continued fussing over Florence and James. "It's rare for you two to visit. Stay for lunch. I'll have the kitchen make a few extra dishes."

Florence smiled and agreed. "Then we won't stand on ceremony."

The mood in the parlor was warm and relaxed.

Sydney leaned back against the sofa, cradling a cup of warm milk. She watched Florence and Agatha chatting with easy familiarity. She watched James endure his mother's affectionate nagging. She watched Raymond sitting across from her, his gaze drifting back to Tiffany again and again.

A smile spread across her face before she realized it.

Even so, some matters remained unresolved. Tiffany had not fully moved past the weight she carried, and the person responsible for her adoptive parents' deaths still had not been caught.

But at least in this moment, everyone around her was safe and well.

"What are you thinking about?" a low voice asked from behind her.

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