Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 452

**Chapter 452**

Caleb and Julian were like two distinct halves of the same coin, each reflecting a different aspect of their intertwined lives. The idea of Sydney ending up with Julian felt almost as improbable as her ever finding a way to reconcile with Caleb. It was a curious twist of fate that left her feeling both hopeful and uncertain.

“Alright,” Caleb began, his tone softening as he continued, “You know how people online can get carried away with their opinions. Don’t let their noise drown out your thoughts. You’re carrying a baby now. That little one should always come first.”

His words were simple yet powerful, and Sydney didn’t need him to elaborate further. She was acutely aware that stress could pose a risk to her unborn child, and the weight of that knowledge settled heavily on her shoulders.

She cast her gaze downward, her hand instinctively resting on her growing belly. The mere thought of a tiny life nestled within her brought a wave of warmth and tenderness that enveloped her heart.

With a gentle smile gracing her lips, she reassured him, “I know. You don’t have to worry about me.”

Julian, observing that sweet smile, felt a pang of something sharp and unsettling. It pierced through him like a knife. What did it matter if he was prepared to step into the role of a stand-in father? The real father was still lurking in the background like an ominous shadow, and at that moment, Caleb’s presence was an irritation he could hardly tolerate.

Lost in her thoughts about the baby, Sydney remained blissfully unaware of Julian’s shifting mood. After they ended the call, she began to slide off his lap, intending to reclaim her seat. Now that she was fully awake, the closeness felt too intimate, especially with so many unresolved issues lingering between them. Once Julian uncovered the full truth about the Sterling family, he might look back on this moment and feel nothing but discomfort.

Before she could fully detach, Julian’s arm tightened around her waist, preventing her from moving away. Just as she barely lifted herself off his lap, he pulled her right back down, holding her close. They had a lot to unravel, conversations that were better suited for a time when the chaos of the online world calmed down, but Julian was not one to wait patiently for such moments.

His dark eyes bore into hers, intense and searching. “You’ve been keeping your distance lately. Is it because of the pregnancy?”

Sydney knew him far too well; he had a tendency to dive straight into the heart of matters. Yet, the directness of his question took her by surprise. Her lashes fluttered as her gaze fell away from his. “No.”

Of course, it wasn’t just that.

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