Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 759

Diana did not answer right away. She turned her head and looked out at the heavy darkness beyond the window.

Then she turned back to face him. "Leon, do you actually believe what you just said?"

Leon's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"When you stood in that doorway and said those things to Mr. Sandhill, was it because you couldn't let me go, or because you couldn't stand losing?" Her voice remained calm. "Can you tell the difference?"

Leon fell silent. His expression shifted. "Of course I can tell the difference."

"Then tell me. What is it you can't let go of?" Diana stepped forward half a pace, her gaze fixed on his. "Is it the confidence the Hutton name gives you? Or is it the heir's position that's already slipping through your fingers?"

Leon's throat tightened, as though something had lodged there. He opened his mouth and tried to speak, but the words faltered before they left him.

"Diana, I'm not as calculating as you think."

"Aren't you?" A faint smile touched Diana's lips, but it never reached her eyes. "Then answer this. When I came home from a business trip with a 102-degree fever, who took me to the hospital?"

Leon said nothing.

"You don't know," Diana answered for him. "Because that day, you were with Helen at an art exhibition."

"I—"

"You don't need to explain," Diana cut him off. "What's past is past. I have no interest in revisiting it. I only want you to understand that all those things you call attachment, all those feelings you claim to have, never once came first when it mattered."

She took a step back, restoring the distance between them. "So, Leon, stop acting like my husband. You no longer have that standing."

She turned and walked toward the parking garage with her back straight, never looking back.

Leon remained where he stood, watching her figure grow smaller until it disappeared from view.

Without warning, he remembered the day many years ago when Diana had walked down the aisle toward him in her wedding gown, her back just as straight.

He had believed she would always look at him that way.

But somewhere along the line, that look had changed.

Once it changed, there was no going back.

Leon slowly clenched his fist at his side until his knuckles turned white.

Florence watched her for a moment before speaking again. "Nina mentioned tonight's dinner was arranged by your grandfather?"

Diana did not deny it. "Yeah. The Sandhill family's third son."

"What's he like?"

"Not bad. He knows how to handle a situation. He doesn't make you uncomfortable." Diana accepted the glass of orange juice the housekeeper offered and took a sip. "But it won't go anywhere."

Florence didn't ask why. She simply nodded. "All right. No pressure. I'll speak to your grandfather."

Diana tilted her head to look at her mother. "You're not going to try to talk me into it?"

"Into what?" Florence smiled. "You've already given enough of yourself to this family. Your marriage is your business. I won't interfere. Handle it however you want."

A faint sting rose behind Diana's eyes. She turned to look out the window. "Thank you, Mom."

Florence patted the back of her hand. "Go wash up and get some rest."

Diana nodded, answered softly, "Okay," and went upstairs.