Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 228

Sydney avoided Julian's unblinking stare and drew a deep breath to mask her unease. "I'm waiting for Caleb."

"Wait if you want," Julian said, utterly unabashed. "But don't forget what's in our agreement."

Sydney's chest tightened. Seizing the moment when the maids looked away, she shot him a fierce glare.

Knowing she could not handle teasing, Julian shoved one hand casually into his pocket and strode toward the staircase.

At the landing, he stopped, then turned back, his voice calm and deliberate. "By the way, come upstairs. I have something for you."

She knew from the tone that refusal was not an option. The more she resisted, the more suspicious it would seem. She rose with measured composure and followed him upstairs.

Though he had moved out, no one had dared touch his courtyard over the years. Even in Eloise's residence, a room remained reserved for him.

Julian led her straight into his old quarters.

"What is it?" she asked.

"And why are you waiting for Caleb?"

The moment the door closed, he pressed her back against it. Their gazes locked, and both spoke at once.

Since he said nothing further, Sydney answered first, snapping, "Go ask your grandmother."

She could not tell him the truth. Eloise would not admit it anyway, so she'd let her handle the explanation.

By her calculations, Caleb should arrive soon. Seeing Julian remain silent, she urged, "So what exactly did you want to give me?"

Faint noises drifted up from downstairs—likely Caleb's arrival.

Watching the tension in her eyes, Julian smiled slightly. "Funny. When he keeps things from you, you don't get nearly this flustered."

He obviously meant Caleb.

Sydney felt helpless. This was not comparable. Her nerves did not come from fear of Caleb finding out, but from the risk that Eloise might discover her divorce and force her to marry the so-called fourth Wolfen heir.

She had known from the start that divorce was not ideal. However, her last shred of self-respect had prevented her from clinging to Caleb's power in such humiliating circumstances.

In a family like this, the one thing every proper wife loathed most was that exact relationship. Eloise already disliked her. If she learned Sydney was entangled with her grandson, she would only want her gone faster.

The sound of knuckles on wood cut her short. Then Jason's voice echoed from the hall. "Ms. Wilson went upstairs with Mr. Sterling. She should be in this room."

Julian remained unfazed. He leaned closer, pressing her tighter against the door. "What? You think I'm not worthy of you?"

This was not about worthiness. It was about survival.

"Syd, are you inside? I'm coming in." Caleb knocked again.

Panic surged through her. Sydney reached back to unlatch the door, desperate to escape.

Julian watched her move toward Caleb, and he asked coldly, "You don't want the thing anymore?"

She turned to ask what he meant, and he produced a piece of chocolate from nowhere.

It was an old-fashioned brand she had adored as a child, one no longer sold in stores or online. She had no idea how he had even found it.