Semua Bab Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable: Bab 171 - Bab 180

Sydney didn't know why her eyes suddenly burned. She jumped down from the table and walked out without looking back.Julian watched her go, her sudden flight striking him like a slap to the chest. The restless heat beneath his skin only intensified. When the front door slammed shut, he swung his long leg and sent a dining chair crashing to the floor.…On December 29th, Tiffany left for home to celebrate the New Year.After seeing her off, Sydney crawled back into bed for another round of sleep.Half-dreaming, she remembered that Bruce and the others would gather at Julian's for a housewarming. She had promised to go. But now she and Caleb were "fake divorced," and Julian might not welcome a mistress showing up in front of his friends. Thus, she simply rolled over, buried herself deeper in her pillow, and fell back asleep.…The doorbell rang just as Sydney finished washing up near noon. She hurried to answer, phone in hand. "Jul—"The word froze on her tongue. Something hollow

Luckily, Julian's grip on Sydney's waist remained firm and unyielding. He acted as if the doorbell had never rung, intent on deepening the kiss.Sydney shoved at his chest just enough to steal a breath. "Someone's—"His eyes darkened with desire. His hand slid upward on her waist, claiming her lips again."Ignore them." His voice was husky and achingly seductive.The bell rang again, louder this time. Impatient fists rapped on the door, and muffled voices followed."What's going on? Did Jules forget we were coming?""No way."That was Caleb's voice.Panic shot through Sydney. Her gaze flicked to Julian. "It's Caleb. They're here—""So what?" He kissed her again, a flash of cold cruelty crossing his face. Tilting her chin, he pressed, "Afraid he'll find out you're cheating on your husband?""It's not that—"Humiliation stung sharply. Caleb was outside, ringing the bell, yet she was in her brother's arms.But Julian saw only fear of exposure. He stepped closer and enveloped h

The instant Penelope spoke, Sydney's spine went rigid. If she and Julian had a proper, open, clean relationship, she could have admitted it without fear. Even if someone guessed, there would be no shame.However, they did not. They were lovers, in the rawest, filthiest sense. If anyone discovered it, the scorn would fall solely on her. Julian would escape unscathed, and the contempt would be hers alone.They would say she had clung to him ten years ago under the excuse of being his "little sister," and now, desperate to attach herself to the Sterling family, she had degraded herself into his mistress."Penelope!" Caleb's face turned cold, and he said sharply, "What the hell are you thinking? Syd and Jules are brother and sister."Back then, Sydney had been willing to burn every bridge with Julian just to marry Caleb. To him, her loyalties had always been crystal clear. Naturally, he had never suspected anything between her and Julian.Bruce and the others frowned. "Cal, maybe you

Sydney had no interest in continuing the conversation. She knew Caleb was always absorbed in his own plans. Her feelings and desires had never mattered.After dinner, she found an excuse to leave early. As she stepped into the elevator lobby, Caleb followed.Sydney stopped and forced herself to suppress her irritation. "I don't care what happens between you and Penelope. But one thing is certain: I will never move back in.""So you're still angry?" Caleb sighed helplessly and stepped closer, his patience strained. "About the fake divorce… I really had no choice—""Caleb, do you really think the fake divorce is the only problem between us?" Sydney interrupted sharply.As she looked at the refined, composed man before her, a wave of exhaustion hit her. It was almost suffocating. He always ignored the past, but their marriage had long since reached a dead end. There was no turning back, yet he seemed completely unaware.Her words froze him.After a moment, he asked softly, "Then… w

Contraceptives were routine in any doctor's eyes. Given their current relationship, the moment Julian told her to shower, Sydney's first instinct had naturally been to assume that.She had come to him and asked to be his lover. There was no point pretending otherwise. It was better to accept it early. Then, if he grew tired of her one day, she could walk away cleanly.Julian suddenly chuckled, scooped her up, and set her on the bathroom counter. He braced one hand beside her thigh, eyes glinting with amusement, and leaned close to her ear."Didn't you say you're my lover? Since when do lovers need condoms?" he deliberately teased her.His tone was careless to the extreme.Sydney had steeled herself for this, yet his words still made her flush. "That doesn't matter. You still have to be safe."He adopted a mock-serious tone. "Safe from what? I'm not sick."Sydney flared. "Julian! This has nothing to do with being sick or not—"He cut her off with a low correction. "Call me Jules