Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

Chapter 521 Caught off guard, Sydney instinctively raised both hands to push Julian away. "What are you so shy about?" he teased, noticing the tips of her ears turning red. "She's just happy to see me with my girlfriend instead of always being alone. Right, Grandma?" He even turned to Agatha for confirmation, perfectly at ease. Meanwhile, Sydney knew her own skin wasn't nearly as thick as his. Julian's was practically bulletproof. Agatha pointed a teasing finger at her grandson, and her smile widened. "Yes, yes. It's good that you two young ones are sweet on each other.

Makes me happy for you both." And she meant it. All she wanted was for these two children to stop being pushed around by the universe and live peacefully, side by side. Sydney pressed her lips together, smiling with mild embarrassment, but warmth spread through her chest. It wasn't the comfort of familiar surroundings-it was something softer, deeper. The feeling of family. She could tell that Agatha genuinely saw her as a granddaughter-in-law. The thought left her both touched and faintly uneasy. The next day... After finishing her shift at the clinic, Sydney checked the time.

hour was ideal. Dorothy would have just woken from her nap. Sydney could see her, run the checkup, and leave. Going later risked running into

some people divorce and remarry!" Clearly, she hadn't given up the idea of making Sydney the Hampton family's daughter-in- law again. Sydney didn't want to upset the old woman, but she also didn't want to give the family false hope. She smiled gently. "Grandma... that won't happen. Caleb and I won't be remarrying." "Why not?" Dorothy looked genuinely puzzled. She knew her grandson still cared for Sydney and had long hoped for reconciliation. "I have a boyfriend now." The words came out soft but

was there. He looked thinner, his eyes sunken, the once-gentle lines of his face sharpened into something tired and shadowed. At her words, the hand holding his cup trembled, and a few drops spilled over the rim. Dorothy blinked in surprise. She could see her grandson's dazed expression but didn't want to embarrass Sydney. Patting her hand, she said kindly, "That's wonderful. If you've found someone you can truly trust, I'm happy for you." After all, it wouldn't be right to expect Sydney to stay tied to