Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 547

547 /588

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 547**

**Chapter 547**

This time, it was Sydney who found herself momentarily speechless, her mind racing. “She is not? But didn’t they already run a paternity test?” Her voice trembled slightly, a mix of disbelief and concern.

“Most likely she tampered with it,” Tiffany replied, her expression serious. The weight of the revelation hung heavily in the air between them.

Tiffany chose to steer clear of digging deeper into the murky waters of the Huttons’ family drama. This was their internal affair, a tangled web of secrets and lies that she could only glimpse from the outside. Anyone with a shred of sense could see the outlines of the truth. If someone had the audacity to impersonate an heiress, what else might they be capable of?

Sydney let out a heavy sigh, her heart aching for Florence and Diana. “Florence and Diana must be heartbroken,” she murmured, picturing the pain etched on their faces.

Florence had nearly lost her life when her youngest daughter vanished without a trace. The anguish had left her in a wheelchair for years, a constant reminder of her suffering. Now, if she were to discover that the daughter she had finally found was nothing but a cruel illusion, Sydney feared that the fragile threads holding Florence’s heart together would snap.

Tiffany, sensing the depth of Sydney’s concern, offered a gentle nudge. “You should visit her in the next couple of days. She really likes you, and talking to her could help.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Sydney replied, “I should go.”

Professionally, she had always treated Florence with the utmost care, understanding that her emotional well-being was crucial to her recovery. Personally, the Huttons had been a beacon of support in her life. Even after Penelope had joined their household, they had never shown favoritism at Sydney’s expense. They had come to her aid countless times, and she could never forget how Diana rushed her to the hospital after the car accident in Brimcrest, a moment that had saved her child’s life.

As their conversation meandered, a faint clatter of dishes reached Tiffany’s ears, prompting a mischievous snicker. “Your Mr. Sterling isn’t home yet?” she teased, an eyebrow raised.

Sydney glanced out toward the tranquil courtyard, feeling the weight of the stillness. She sank into the sofa, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. “How do you know?”

Tiffany laughed, her voice light and teasing. “If he were home, you would never pick up my call. You’d be too busy with him.”

Sydney chuckled softly, shaking her head. “I’m not the type to ignore my friends because of a man.”

Especially not this friend. Tiffany was the cornerstone of her life, the one who had stood by her side through every storm, offering unconditional love and support. Sydney knew deep down that she would never encounter someone quite like Tiffany again.

“Yes, yes, you’re not,” Tiffany quipped, her tone playful. But then she turned serious, her expression shifting. “Since you’re not moving back to Haven anytime soon, I think I should move back to my rental—”

“Stop,” Sydney interrupted, her voice firm. “I’ve already told you to end that lease. Are you just burning money? Haven has a perfectly good place for you. Why waste cash on rent?”

Tiffany rubbed her nose, a gesture of defeat.

Sydney’s financial situation had improved significantly, yet Tiffany stubbornly refused to take advantage of her generosity. Even the closest friendships had their boundaries.

When Tiffany had first stayed in Haven, she had planned to leave after just a few days. But Sydney had clung to her, unable to face the solitude of sleeping alone. Now that Sydney resided in Delta Mansion, Tiffany felt guilty for continuing to occupy that space.

Before Tiffany could respond, Sydney spoke up again, her voice filled with conviction. “Tiff, we survived the tough years without dividing anything. There’s no reason to start now. You once tried to save money and leave Jouleston with me, even considering giving up your career to do it. Now that I can finally do something for you, let me.”