Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 697

By the time it ended, Sydney was drenched, as if she had just been pulled from the water. Sweat clung to her skin as she lay face down on the pillow, too exhausted to move.

Julian took out a wet wipe and carefully cleaned her. "Do you want to wash up?"

"No." Sydney refused at once.

Lately, every time they finished, Julian carried her into the bathroom and patiently helped her bathe. Tonight, she was not going. This unreliable man had a terrible habit of turning a bath into something else entirely.

Right now, she only wanted to sleep.

Her eyes were naturally soft. With tears still clinging to the corners, she looked especially disarming.

Julian swallowed and forced down the heat rising in him. He carried Sydney to the sofa, changed the rumpled bedding, then lifted her back into bed.

"Go to sleep," he said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I'm going to shower."

Sydney's eyelids felt too heavy to lift. She answered vaguely, "Mm. Go."

…

The next day, Sydney, who usually woke on her own, slept until the second alarm before dragging herself out of bed.

Julian had kept an eye on the time the night before because she had work today, but that did not mean he had been gentle enough to spare her.

She was exhausted. She had just changed and was about to head downstairs when the bedroom door opened.

Julian stepped in wearing a black suit, looking fresh, composed, and entirely too pleased with himself. "Did you sleep well?"

Sydney knew he was doing it on purpose. She shot him a glare. "Yes and no."

She stressed the last part.

One brow lifted. He took the cashmere coat draped over her arm, then walked downstairs with her.

Julian did not elaborate. "Given your situation, a little extra caution won't hurt."

"Alright."

For now, Sydney still could not tell whether Jeremiah had bad information or bad intentions. But as Julian said, caution never hurt, especially when he had ties to her adoptive parents and old ties to the Shepards as well.

…

Because of Julian's warning, the first thing Sydney did after arriving at the clinic was ask the nurse whether Jeremiah had booked an appointment with her that day.

"He hasn't." The nurse had just shaken her head when Sydney's phone rang in her coat pocket.

It was Jeremiah. She hid her suspicion and answered. "Hello, Mr. Clifford."

"Dr. Wilson." His voice sounded even weaker than it had the day before. "Would it be possible for you to come by my home after clinic hours today and take a look at me?"