Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 796

Just as everyone was starting to relax, Julian checked the time and gave Sydney a mood-killing pat on the shoulder. "That's enough. Time for you to rest."

Sydney was not quite ready to call it a night, but before she could object, Alan and Eliana walked out of the sitting room together.

"Sydney, we're heading home now." Alan tipped his chin toward the group of young people. "We're too old to stay up late. You young ones keep having fun."

Sydney quickly got up and went to meet them, then looped her arm through Eliana's. "Eliana, let me walk you out."

Agatha happened to walk out with Florence just then and caught the trace of envy on Florence's face.

She patted Florence's hand. "Sydney has a soft, honest heart. When someone treats her well, she gives back even more in return. Alan and Eliana have cared for her since she was little, so of course their bond runs deep. But at the end of the day, no one can take the place of her real mother."

Agatha was willing to say as much because she could see that the Huttons would go to any length to make up for what they owed Sydney.

If the Huttons had handled things the wrong way, Sydney's temperament would have made her impossible to win over. Not even her birth mother, much less the rest of her biological family, could have changed her mind.

Florence pushed down the sting behind her eyes and shook her head with a smile. "It's only natural that Sydney is close to Eliana. I just feel like I've missed too much of her life."

…

Sydney kept her arm looped through Eliana's as they walked slowly toward the door.

Eliana studied Sydney's faintly flushed cheeks, and her voice softened. "Look how happy you are tonight. Aren't you tired at all?"

"With you and Alan here to see me, I'm not tired at all," Sydney said softly.

Perhaps it was because she had grown up with Alan and Eliana by her side, but even now, with a baby on the way, their presence still made her feel as though she had never quite grown up.

Eliana glanced back at Alan. "Look at her. She's been sweet-talking us since she was little. Who knows? The little one in her belly might turn out even sharper than she is."

Sydney played along. "Then won't the two of you be grinning from ear to ear every single day?"

"Yes, yes, yes." Eliana could not help but laugh.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify