Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 785

Callum did not take it to heart. He glanced at his watch, then rose to his feet. "It's getting late. I should head back to the hotel."

He looked at Hugo with a warm smile. "Want to come along? I can give you a ride."

Hugo hesitated for a moment before turning his bright eyes toward Diana. "Can I stay the night?"

Diana looked mildly surprised, but she agreed without hesitation. "Of course you can. Ray, have the staff prepare a room for Hugo. I'll see Callum out."

"Sure." Raymond nodded, giving Hugo a meaningful look before getting up to find a maid.

Diana and Callum walked side by side toward the entrance.

When they reached the courtyard gate, Callum stopped, glanced back at her, and spoke in a gentle tone. "That Kingston boy is your ex-husband's younger brother, isn't he?"

"Yes."

Callum nodded. "You two seem close."

Diana laughed softly. "I watched him grow up. He's practically a little brother to me."

Callum said nothing more. He simply smiled. "I'll get going, then. Let's have a meal together sometime."

He turned and walked to the car parked by the road. After rolling down the window, he gestured for her to head back inside before driving away.

Inside the house, Raymond noticed Hugo staring toward the front yard. A spark of amusement flickered in his eyes. "My sister's beautiful, isn't she?"

"She is..." Hugo answered before he could stop himself. He quickly caught himself and looked away, appearing composed even though the tips of his ears had turned red.

Keeping his voice steady, he added, "Diana has always been beautiful."

He did not want to admit it.

Raymond had no intention of calling him out, at least not yet. The time was not right.

"Right, and that's why the men lining up for her keep multiplying before she's even gotten the divorce papers." He chuckled, grabbed his car keys, and stood. Then he called to the staff, "Pack up a serving of the stew on the stove for me. I'm taking it with me."

Hugo froze for a moment. He could not immediately figure out what Raymond meant.

Did that group of men include him? If Raymond had seen through him, would he tell Diana? And then...

If this had happened before, Diana might have worried about him. Now, she only felt that a love so pure, so deep, and so selfless was incredibly rare.

She and James were both the kind of people who weighed every consequence and could never throw caution to the wind. That was why she was happy for Raymond.

Hugo's steps slowed for a brief moment before returning to their usual pace.

"Diana, we'll all find that someday." His voice was calm and clear.

Diana stopped outside the guest room and glanced at him. "Find what?"

Hugo met her gaze with clear, sincere eyes. "A feeling that goes far beyond liking someone."

Diana could not help smiling. "Get some sleep."

Only people in their teens and twenties still held on to that kind of longing for love. She had never entertained such thoughts, not from the very beginning. Not even when she married Leon.

Diana opened the door for him. "The pan-fried flatbreads we make at home are delicious. If you're up early tomorrow, you should try some."

"Okay." Hugo pushed the door open, then turned back to look at her. "Good night, Diana."