Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 185

Chapter 185

Sydney turned off the faucet and dabbed at the water on her sleeve with a tissue before going to open the door.

Caleb stood there with a gentle expression and a set of clothes in his hands.

She blinked in surprise. “How did you know?”

Caleb smiled faintly and pinched her cheek. “Your husband isn’t blind. I saw your clothes got stained. Hurry and change into

these.”

He handed her the clothes. His tone carried a hint of teasing, something she had never heard from him before. He had also never referred to himself as her husband.

Uneasy, Sydney closed the door. She had no idea what had gotten into him.

After changing, she stepped out. Just as she was about to walk around the carved wooden screen that divided the corridor from the dining area, she heard voices. Caleb and Adeline were arguing.

Adeline’s tone was as soft and indulgent as always. “The biggest mistake I ever made was agreeing to your marriage with her. With her background, she was never worthy of you. If you divorce her, you can find someone truly suitable. Wouldn’t that be better?”

“Mom, her background wasn’t something she could choose.” Caleb’s voice was cold. “I already told you. Other than her, I won’t

marry anyone.”

The antique screen blocked their view of the corridor. They didn’t realize Sydney was standing right there.

Adeline frowned. “When you bent over backward to protect Penelope, I never saw you side with Sydney. Why now? Why insist it has to be her?”

Sydney almost laughed. Everyone had seen how fiercely he once defended Penelope. The latter had always meant more to him

than his own wife.

Caleb fell silent for a moment, then spoke in a low, steady voice. “Yes, it has to be her. Penelope will never set foot in the Hampton family again.”

Maybe he had already fallen for Sydney. Maybe it had been true for a long time. The first time he realized it was that day at the mall, when he saw her dining with Marcus. His chest had tightened with an unbearable, violent pang.

Later, he even asked Bruce about it. Bruce had teased that he was done for, that he only wanted both women at once.

However, Caleb knew that wasn’t true. When Penelope spent time with other men, he never felt that same gut-twisting jealousy. Even when his older brother openly doted on her, it hadn’t shaken him. All he had hoped then was that his brother

would treat her well.

Sydney was different. If Marcus so much as made her smile, he would feel like numerous ants gnawed at his heart. Every glance, every laugh she shared with another man was unbearable.

Adeline’s frown deepened. “Are you sure you’ve really thought this through?”

“I’m sure.” Caleb’s reply was firm and clear.

He had never been so certain of anything in his life. The only thing left was figuring out how to explain everything to Sydney once he found Precious. When that time came, he would tell her the truth.

Adeline’s face darkened. She snatched up a wineglass and hurled it to the floor. “You’ve truly lost your mind!”

Sydney stood frozen behind the screen. She had heard every word, but it was too late. She was not the kind of woman who turned back once she had abandoned a road.

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After dinner, Timothy clung to Caleb, begging him to play ball in the courtyard. The uncle and nephew went outside together.

As soon as they left, Adeline fixed her gaze on Sydney. “Come upstairs with me.”

Sydney followed her. They entered the study one after the other.

The moment the door closed, Adeline went straight to the point. “The announcement of your divorce from Cal needs to be

delayed.”

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