Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 214

Sydney turned stiffly and saw Julian leaning against his doorframe. His dark eyes were fixed on her. He looked freshly showered, his damp black hair falling casually over his forehead. Without his usual sharp edge, he exuded an easy, domestic air. He looked refreshing, disarmingly handsome.

Sydney felt utterly defeated. "You overthink."

No, that wasn't right. She was the one overthinking. How could she have been naive enough to believe that Julian, having finally found a way to hold her by the throat, would ever simply let go?

Julian let out a quiet laugh. "What, are you really that unhappy to see me back?"

"Of course not," Sydney said, her words contradicting her heart.

Julian ignored her denial and crooked a finger at her. "Then come eat."

Sydney knew she had no room to refuse. That contract was a chain. Around him, she had even less freedom than she had with Caleb.

After changing her shoes, she caught sight of the steaming dishes on the dinner table. Her eyes lit up. "You made these?"

Each dish was neatly plated, nothing like takeout or delivery. That morning, when he had made soup and omelet, he had surprised her with how good it tasted. Him being able to cook no longer seemed unusual.

Julian arched a brow and deflected with another question. "Do you think it's better if a man can cook, or if he can't?"

Sydney considered it, then asked honestly, "Do you want the truth?"

"Otherwise?" he countered smoothly.

"Then I'd say it doesn't matter," she said with equal frankness. "If it's someone you like, even if he blows up the kitchen, it's still wonderful. If it's someone you don't like, even if he's a Michelin three-star chef, he's just… a chef. At best, you'd say, 'Wow, great cooking.'"

In other words, love made all the difference.

He had once thought that once everything was settled, he would bring her home again and make her an omelet every morning.

By the time he was finally free, though, Sydney had already fallen for Caleb. Nothing could sway her.

Sydney blinked, and a faint stir of something rose in her chest. She lifted her head and asked bluntly, "You only ever learned that one dish?"

"That's right," he said without hesitation, his lips curving in a careless, playful smile. "Learned it for you, princess. Happy?"

She recognized that look—he was teasing her. If she reacted, he would only laugh. Thus, she stayed silent, washed her hands, and went to the kitchen to fetch plates and utensils.

Julian pulled out a chair, leaned back with his arms crossed, and called out lazily, "There are clean ones in the dishwasher."

Bending slightly, Sydney replied softly, "Got it."