Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 215

Watching her rummage through the kitchen, Julian was struck by a sudden thought. 'I don't want her to leave. Wherever she is, that place feels like home.'

Sydney brought out two sets of plates and utensils. She was about to sit across from him when he pulled out the chair beside him. "Sit here."

It looked exactly like how a couple would sit.

Bound by the contract, Sydney did not argue. She sat quietly and began to eat.

Halfway through, she paused. "This tastes familiar. I feel like I've eaten it before."

Julian gave her a look. "Doesn't all Dagonia cuisine taste like this?"

In truth, Agatha's cooking was exquisite, rivaling any private chef. Yet outside of Julian and his men, almost no one else had ever tasted it.

Sydney thought for a moment. "That's true."

"Eat up." He placed a barbecue rib on her plate. Something softened deep in his gaze as he watched her lower her head, cheeks puffing as she chewed.

Anyone else would have thought they were imagining it. Julian, showing such an expression? It was impossible. It must have been a trick of the light.

Outside, the sunset faded, and city lights began to bloom.

As she chewed the rib he had given her, Sydney was suddenly transported back to when they had eaten dinner together every single night—3,336 nights. Neither of them had ever missed a single one. They had shared exactly 3,336 dinners.

Unexpectedly, her chest tightened, and her eyes grew hot. She did not know why. She had every reason to resent him, and yet her nose stung and tears pressed insistently at the back of her eyes.

The ache shot from her chest straight to her skull. She could not suppress it.

Julian noticed the change in her mood and lifted a brow lightly. "Is it that delicious you could cry?"

They used the same brand of body wash. She would wipe her whole body with his towel and slip into the nightdress he had chosen for her himself.

A tide surged in his black eyes. Even the corners of his eyes flushed faint red.

When Sydney finished drying her hair and reached for the door handle, her heart raced. After all, it was her first time.

She exhaled, steeling herself, and pushed the door open.

Julian lounged lazily on the sofa and crooked a finger at her. "Come here."

His voice was low, hoarse in a way it had not been earlier.

Sydney walked over but glanced at the sofa. "Can we go to the bed instead?"