**Chapter 313**
Sydney’s face remained a picture of serenity, even as the phone continued to ring incessantly, a relentless cacophony that seemed to fill the room. With a practiced calm, she pressed the end call button and set the device aside, as if dismissing an annoying fly.
“Eat up, Tiffany,” she urged, her voice light yet firm.
“But if you don’t answer, won’t they get furious?” Tiffany replied, her brow furrowing in concern. The memories of how the Sterling family had tormented her friend flooded back, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.
When Sydney had first re-entered Eloise’s household, she had been filled with a fierce determination to stand her ground. Yet, it had been a futile battle. That old witch, Eloise, seemed to harbor an unyielding hatred for her, and every attempt at defiance only fueled her cruelty. Sydney had learned quickly that resistance was met with harsher retaliation.
Pouring more milk into Tiffany’s bowl, Sydney’s expression softened, her tone brightening as she spoke. “Tiff, trust me, for now, they won’t dare act rashly.”
“Why?” Tiffany asked, her confusion evident. “Sure, there was a celebration party, but the medicine hasn’t even hit the market yet.”
As if to punctuate her words, Sydney’s phone erupted into another shrill ring, each call a persistent reminder of the world outside their small bubble. She rejected the call without a second thought, feeling a mix of annoyance and determination. “I need to head out soon, to the Huttons,” she announced, her voice steady. She paused, reflecting on Tiffany’s past with Raymond, yet she felt it was important to be transparent. “I’m going to treat Raymond’s mother’s legs.”
Tiffany’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You can heal his mother?” she gasped, a mix of hope and astonishment washing over her.
Memories flooded back to their university days when she and Raymond had been an item. His mother had already been facing the challenges of disability then, and Sydney knew that a lingering injury like that was never easy to mend.
“I can,” Sydney affirmed, though a flicker of unease crossed her features. “It’ll just take time. And…” she trailed off, the weight of the situation settling heavily on her shoulders.


VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney)