Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 775

Raymond let out a soft "Oh" and asked nothing more.

The group went inside, where Agatha had already instructed the staff to set out tea, pastries, and fresh fruit, filling the parlor with warmth.

Florence and Agatha sat together discussing Sydney's upcoming delivery, covering everything from the hospital arrangements and postpartum nanny to her recovery. They left no detail overlooked.

Raymond sat nearby and chimed in from time to time until Florence shot back, "What would you know? You've never given birth."

He wisely fell silent after that, though his gaze kept drifting toward the staircase.

Sydney noticed but said nothing. She took a sip of water and spoke as though the thought had just occurred to her. "Tiffany said she'd come down later to check whether the crib I bought was assembled correctly. She's more meticulous about those things than I am."

Raymond picked up his cup and took a sip, his tone casual. "I'll give her a hand, then."

"You?" James shot him a sidelong glance. "You know how to assemble a crib?"

"If I don't, I can learn." Raymond set down his cup. "It can't be harder than surgery."

James let out a short laugh and decided not to tease him any further.

…

Upstairs, when Sydney pushed open the bedroom door, Tiffany was leaning against the bay window, flipping through a case file.

She looked up at the sound, and her gaze lingered on Sydney's face for a moment. "They're here?"

"They're here." Sydney walked over and sat across from her. "Madam Hutton and James are here. Raymond too."

Tiffany's fingers paused briefly on the file before resuming as though nothing had happened. "Mm."

Sydney remained silent for a moment. She simply watched Tiffany for a few seconds.

As though sensing her gaze, Tiffany looked up. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I was just thinking," Sydney said softly. "You clearly haven't let it go. So why not give yourself and Raymond a chance?"

Tiffany said nothing. She lowered her eyes to the dense text on the page, but the words suddenly blurred before her.

Concerned Tiffany might feel pressured, she added, "But that was Raymond's own decision. Don't feel obligated because of it. I'm only telling you because I don't want you to stay trapped at a dead end."

Tiffany remained silent for a long time. She lowered her gaze to her hands. In a daze, she remembered the time Raymond had asked her in the car whether she would ever give up being a lawyer for someone or something.

Downstairs, Florence's voice drifted up the stairs, calling them down for refreshments.

Sydney stood and gently patted Tiffany's shoulder. "Come on. Let's not keep them waiting."

Tiffany followed her downstairs.

Halfway down the staircase, she could not help glancing toward the parlor.

Raymond was taking a fruit tray from a maid and setting it on the coffee table. As though sensing her gaze, he looked up toward the stairs.

Their eyes met.

This time, Tiffany did not look away.