Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Caleb always focused his attention on the one he truly cared about. He constantly doted on

the woman he loved.

Just a few days ago, Tiffany had stopped by the hospital with some afternoon tea, only to

scold Caleb for half an hour.

Why? Because she caught him in the VIP ward, carefully tending to Penelope as if she were

the most fragile person in the world.

The next morning, Sydney completed her discharge paperwork smoothly.

Worried about her condition, Marcus sent her a message.

Marcus: [Syd, should I come pick you up from the hospital?]

Sydney replied while stepping into the elevator.

Sydney: [Don’t trouble yourself, Marc. Tiffany’s taking me to the airport.]

As she entered the underground parking lot, a familiar voice echoed from the stairwell. It

was Caleb on the phone.

“Do you

think I never understood her? I seriously didn’t expect her to get physical with Penny,” he said.

After hearing the other person, he sighed, sounding exhausted. “I never intended to let her take the fall for this. And I’m not divorcing her.”

A loud, incredulous shout came from the other end.

“Holy shit, really? Syd busted up your crush’s face, and you’re still not thinking of divorce?” After a brief pause, the other party teased, “Don’t tell me you’ve actually caught feelings for Syd?”

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Chapter 16

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“Cut the crap.” Caleb hesitated, then carefully chose his words. “If I divorce her now, the rumors alone will drown Penny, especially after the recent scandal. If we split now, my family will never let her off the hook.”

That twisted, self–righteous explanation made Sydney chuckle silently. She had always known the truth. But hearing it directly stung more than she expected.

“I made a promise,” Caleb said. “That I’d protect her for the rest of my life.”

“You mean that dumb childhood promise?” His friend clearly did not believe him, rolled his eyes on the other end, and continued, “Bro, you two only met once as kids. Are you even sure you have the right girl? Anyway, see you tonight at the usual spot?”

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For reasons she couldn’t explain, Sydney looked back. Caleb had just finished his call and stepped out of the stairwell. He looked tall and poised, still carrying that polite, gentle aura he always had.

Tiffany glanced at her in the mirror. “What are you looking at?”

“Nothing.”

The car pulled out of the underground lot, and morning light filtered through the windshield.

Sydney smiled. “The weather’s nice today.”

“Yeah, haven’t seen the sun in days.”

No one could resist the warmth of winter sunlight.

Tiffany, still gripping the wheel, gave her a sidelong glance and raised an eyebrow. “You’ve never been this cheerful on any of our trips abroad. What’s so special about this one?”

“Tiff,” Sydney rolled down the window, slipped off her wedding ring, and flicked it into the wind. “This one’s different.”

This time, when she boarded the plane, she would still be the Hampton family’s daughter- in–law. She would still be someone else’s shield.

But when she came back, she would be just herself–Sydney Wilson.

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