Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 171

‘It’s fine,‘ Charlotte told herself. ‘I still have plenty of time.‘

As long as Julian kept no other woman by his side, she believed persistence would wear him down.

Tiffany, drowsy from her medicine, had already returned to bed. The living room was empty.

Sydney picked up her tablet, ready to retreat to her room and scroll mindlessly through variety shows.

Just as she rose, her phone lit up with a message.

Brother: [Come eat.]

She had always saved Julian’s contact as Brother. Even now, after he had dragged himself off her blacklist, she had forgotten to change it.

Sydney glanced at the clock. Charlotte had only gone inside five minutes ago. What was she supposed to do? Go be a third wheel?

She typed back: [Already ate.]

It was a lie. Tiffany was on a bland diet–no seafood, no seasoning–and Sydney had barely managed a few spoonfuls of soup with her.

Julian’s reply came instantly.

Brother: [Do I need to come get you?]

Even through the screen, she felt the cold, unyielding edge in his tone. Afraid he might actually appear at her door, she dropped her tablet, grabbed her phone, and hurried out.

Standing at his door, she hadn’t even reached for the bell when another message appeared.

Brother: [902079. Let yourself in.]

It was the code for the door. For a moment, she froze as her mind leapt. Was it the same way Charlotte had gotten his code? Was she just one of many women who knew it?

She forced the thought down, keyed in the numbers, and stepped inside, slipping into her own slippers at the entryway.

The dining table was set with all her favorite dishes, especially the pork ribs.

Julian emerged from the kitchen in a black striped lounge set, his tall frame relaxed, two glasses of juice in his

hands. He set one before her.

Sydney pressed her lips together. “Thank you.”

She unwrapped the disposable utensils and ate quietly, not meeting his eyes.

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Julian lounged back and watched her for a long while. The corner of his mouth curved coldly. “You come all this way to eat, and this is the face I get?”

“No.” She shook her head quickly and picked up a piece of roast pork.

Before she realized it, she had eaten nearly all the ribs.

Julian’s gaze narrowed. “Didn’t you say you’d already eaten?”

She set her utensils down, at a loss for words. She couldn’t explain it. Ever since seeing Charlotte punch in his code earlier, a heavy, suffocating weight had pressed against her chest.

Julian’s brows drew tight, his dark eyes boring into her like he could strip away every thought.

Sydney stayed silent.

Suddenly, he rose, swept her off her chair, and set her on the table, forcing her to meet his eyes. “Tell me, princess. What exactly are you sulking about? Or is it that you only want dinner with that fake–divorced husband of yours?”

He looked irritated. Sydney didn’t know how to answer.

What right did she have? She was only his mistress. She had no claim to question him about Charlotte. And yet, she didn’t even understand what she felt jealous of.

Her feet dangled above the floor, making her feel unsteady. She turned her face away. “I told you. It’s nothing.”

The air thickened with tension.

Julian planted his hands on either side of her thighs and caged her in. “Want me to carry you to bed?”

Her mind leapt to the obvious meaning. She shook her head. “Next time, alright?”

Her period still had not fully passed.

The repeated refusals drew a sudden coldness over his face. He pulled back, jaw tight, and jerked his chin toward the door.

“Then leave.” His voice was cutting.

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