Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 449

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You**
**by Aurelia**
**Novel 449**

**Chapter 449**

It wasn’t the first instance Sydney had broached the subject, nor was it the first time Julian found himself at a complete loss for words. The weight of the moment hung heavily between them, a palpable tension that seemed to stretch and pull at the air.

He had wrestled with the thought before—laying bare all the truths, recounting the events of that fateful time when everything had spiraled out of control. Yet now, with her gaze piercing through him, those bright, luminous eyes holding his captive, he found himself utterly speechless. The words that danced on the tip of his tongue felt inadequate, as if any attempt to explain would only serve to sound like a feeble excuse.

Sydney’s eyes were wide, a mix of confusion and revelation swirling within them. Her delicate fingers reached out, gliding slowly over the thin fabric of his shirt until they paused, hovering over the faint scar etched into his chest—a reminder of the bullet that had once lodged itself within him.

The moment she had discovered he had been shot, an erratic thought had surged through her mind, wild and untamed. But his demeanor back then had only left her with more questions, leaving her feeling as though she were grasping at smoke, unable to hold onto anything solid.

If it were indeed true, then why had he kept silent all this time? Why had he chosen to remain mute when countless opportunities had presented themselves for him to share the truth?

She reflected on her own feelings, a sense of bravery surging within her. She wouldn’t have been afraid—no, not if he had been by her side. As long as he stayed with her, she felt she could face anything that the world threw their way.

The words trembled just behind her lips, ready to spill forth, yet they faltered at the last moment. Still, the memory of Florence’s words echoed in her mind, urging her forward, pushing her past the barrier of uncertainty.

Yes, the worst that could happen had already transpired. At most, he would mock her for being naïve, for daring to dream too much.

The car raced down the winding road, sunlight filtering through the trees, casting fleeting shadows that danced across the sharp contours of his face, illuminating the tension that lay beneath.

Sydney’s fingers lingered over the scar, tracing its outline as if trying to decode the story it told. Their eyes locked, and in that charged moment, she found the courage to ask the question that had been buried deep within her heart for years. “That year… Was it to protect me? Julian, did you get hurt because of me?”

Her voice was barely a whisper, yet the uncertainty woven into her words was unmistakable, hanging in the air like a fragile thread.

Julian’s heart raced, and for the first time, he felt the facade of calmness slip away. He struggled to decipher the doubt that clouded her gaze. Did she find the notion too absurd, too far-fetched, or was it something much deeper that gnawed at her?

He swallowed hard, his voice emerging rough and raw. “Who told you that?”

In that moment, he hadn’t truly answered her question, but Sydney didn’t need him to. The truth was already laid bare between them. Yes, it was true. And the weight of that truth felt like an anchor, dragging them both deeper into a sea of unspoken emotions.

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