Lahat ng Kabanata ng Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable: Kabanata 281 - Kabanata 290

Sydney answered, "I'm not sure either."Charlotte blinked. She sensed Sydney did not grasp how important this was. She reminded her, "He's a proud man. If you're divorced, tell him soon."Otherwise, something big could blow up later. Charlotte never thought Julian was patient.Sydney knew the nature of her relationship with Julian. A few words would not change it. She nodded. "Okay. I get it."But Charlotte knew only Julian's pride—she did not know Sydney's.Sydney could not imagine walking up to Julian and blurting, "Julian, I'm divorced."To her, that sounded like handing him permission to humiliate her.Charlotte understood she could not meddle further. Their bond amounted to an ordinary friendship. She had wrestled with the decision for a long time and had decided to give up the engagement. Still, the years she had spent wanting him made her chest ache a little."All right, get back to work. I won't hold you up." Charlotte knew the project team faced a tight schedule, so sh

Before Sydney could speak, Tiffany appeared. Her heels clicked against the floor as she approached. "Mr. Hampton, Syd has already given you plenty of chances."If you want her to even consider talking to you again, how about letting her spend her birthday with us first? For the past three years, she's celebrated every single one of her birthdays with me and Marcus—not you."The unspoken message was clear: "Who do you think you are? Just because you've finally come to your senses doesn't mean Sydney has to listen. Keep trying to force her, and the most you'll ever be is a stranger."Caleb's fists clenched, then slowly loosened. His gaze moved over the three of them. "You're all celebrating with her?""Of course." Tiffany slipped an arm around Sydney's shoulders, smiling brightly while her words carried a sharp edge. "Syd knows boundaries. Marcus is just her senior. She'd never celebrate her birthday with him alone."Unlike you, who used to sneak off with your sister-in-law for ever

Tiffany suspected that Caleb had lost his mind. The marriage was long over, yet he still carried himself like a rightful husband, playing out some sentimental drama.The little alcohol she had at dinner was no stronger than fruit juice to her. Her mind stayed sharp, her expression composed. She answered evenly, "There was a sudden issue in the lab. She had to rush over."Jokes aside, Tiffany had always viewed Sydney's connection with Julian as nothing more than a bond born of familiarity. He had looked after her for nine years. They had simply grown up together.But others might not see it that way. If gossip started at the wrong time, rumors would spread fast, especially with Caleb, the ex-husband, standing here.Caleb's eyes narrowed, though his face kept its familiar, courteous calm. "Alright. Sorry to disturb you."He turned as if retreating in peace but walked straight toward the underground garage.He drove hard through the night toward the research institute.Although Tif

Even with Julian's hand supporting her, Sydney still felt unsafe hanging in midair. Her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist.A faint sense of danger stirred in her chest, as if something was about to spiral out of control. And the trigger had been that phone call Julian answered just moments ago.Even now, she could feel the storm inside him had not settled. But the man had no intention of giving her time to react. With steady, powerful strides, he carried her swiftly into the bedroom and pressed her down onto the bed.Sydney's breath stalled, her lashes trembling violently. Behind her lay the softness of the mattress, while before her burned Julian's eyes, flushed with desire, his breathing ragged and heavy.She licked her lips and whispered, her voice trembling, "Are we… doing this now?"From the moment she had signed that agreement, she had never really believed she could avoid this.Julian's gaze never left her—not for a single second.Her lips, reddened and gliste

Sydney's eyes felt unbearably dry, perhaps because she had gone too long without blinking. She turned toward the bathroom, the corner of her lips lifting faintly.Sometimes, she truly could not understand Julian. If she were honest, she had never understood him.The time when she had longed most for that pair of high heels had passed. Now that she spent her days in the clinic and laboratory, she had neither reason nor occasion to wear them.At her feet, Yoyo brushed against her legs, as if sensing her mood. Then it suddenly leapt up, trying to wrap its paws around her.Sydney's eyes stung. She crouched, pulled the dog close, stroked its head, and pressed her nose against its snout."Good Yoyo," she whispered.Her phone rang. She picked it up. "Hello, Tiff?""Babe, when are you coming home?" Tiffany's voice carried an easy smile. "I'll have to head out in about 20 minutes.""I'll be right back." Sydney hung up and called out to Julian, "I'm leaving first, Tiff's waiting for me."