Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

Chapter 567 Tears shimmered in Agatha's eyes. She tightened her grip on Sydney's hand, then eased it at once, afraid she might hurt her. Excitement rushed through her until she slapped her own thigh. "Good. Good!" She repeated the word several times, then shot Sydney a mock glare. "You silly child. How could you hide something this big from me?" Her relief grew when she remembered that her grandson was hopelessly lovesick. If something involved Sydney, he'd accept it without a second thought.

Sydney touched the bridge of her nose and explained everything in a steady voice. She laid out her worries and hesitation because she'd want no unspoken barrier between them if they intended to become a family. When Agatha learned that Sydney feared her background might burden Julian, the thought left her aching. "Silly girl. You worry about dragging him down, but have you ever wondered whether he fears being burdened by you, or fears losing you more?" Life had carried Agatha through enough storms to leave her with sharp insight.

Money and power mattered, but nothing compared to her grandson's joy and sorrow. During the years Sydney had been absent, she had watched loneliness settle over him piece by piece. If Julian had cared one bit about Sydney's origins, Agatha would have knocked sense into him herself. Sydney blinked, moved by the words. Julian had said something similar, but hearing it again from Agatha caught her off guard. She had known Agatha to be warm and tolerant, but not to this extent. Her eyes reddened. She looked at Agatha and spoke softly.

I owe you for a lifetime." Sydney's eyes heated further. Then Agatha's voice sharpened. "So that brat still doesn't know he's a father, does he?" Sydney's

for Julian's feelings, that was his problem to sort out. She thought about the fact that in a little over four months she would be holding a great-grandchild. She wanted to hurry home and start preparing. Still, she waited until

If she did not prepare now, the baby would arrive too soon, She had kept her distance before because she had not wanted to overstep. After all, the child had not been a Sterling descendant, at least as she had believed. 1/3 tagney l +25 Bonus Now, refusing to intervene would feel improper. Julian frowned. "What does that