Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 648

Once he confirmed his answer, Sydney eagerly pulled him downstairs. "Let's build a snowman. If it gets dark, you won't let me come out again."

Large flakes continued to fall across the courtyard. Julian had bundled her from head to toe, so she did not feel the cold at all.

Sydney knew how to build a proper snowman. Before long, the base had taken shape. She turned to Julian, who rolled snowballs toward her. "Cut me a carrot."

"When have I ever refused you?" he replied lightly. "Move slowly. Watch your footing."

Even so, he remained uneasy and called a maid over to keep an eye on her.

Sydney shaped a round head with care. As she caught sight of Julian passing through the brightly lit living room, she drifted into a daze.

The moment felt unreal. Around this time last year, she had crouched alone in the courtyard of Viridian Garden, building a snowman just like this.

Back then, she had been alone. She had nothing. Now everything was different.

"Why are you zoning out?"

Julian had returned without her noticing. He must have already handed her the carrot, but she had not reacted.

She looked up at him, her lips curving into a soft smile. Her eyes shimmered.

"I just feel… really happy right now."

Everything surpassed what she had once dared to imagine. The painful years behind her felt like a distant dream.

He studied her in silence for a long moment, then crouched and straightened her slightly crooked hat.

"If you're happy, that's enough. I'm happy too." He reached out and gently tapped her rounded belly. "She'll be just as happy as we are."

"You're awake?"

"Yes." Not wanting to delay his work, she spoke quickly. "My condition is stable now. Alan is handling the more serious patients at the clinic. But Madam Hutton's legs…"

Her voice faded to a near whisper. Given how carefully he had been guarding her lately, she expected him to refuse.

When he did not respond at once, she hurried on. "She's at a critical stage in her rehabilitation. The treatment isn't complicated anymore. It won't exhaust me. And it will give me something to do."

"When do you want to go?" he asked in a low voice.

"You're agreeing?" She had not expected him to concede so easily. Afraid he might change his mind, she blurted, "Then I want to go now."

He paused briefly. "All right. I'll have Peter and the others take you."