Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

Chapter 10 When Caleb stood before Sydney, the harsh edge in his demeanor faded. He softened visibly, though an unreadable shadow lingered behind his eyes. "You're back." Sydney took half a step back and spoke softly. "Have you eaten yet? Nancy made dinner-" "Sydney," he cut in, his voice tight as he chose his words carefully. "About what's online... It's not what it looks like. I can explain." "Mm. I believe you," she replied calmly, without hesitation. Caleb froze. He had always known Sydney was obedient, but this was not a scenario he had prepared for.

Before coming home, his friends had told him he was doomed. No woman, no matter how gentle, would stay silent after learning her husband had cheated. But Sydney did not cry. She did not scream or slap him. Nothing. That calm, almost perfunctory trust twisted something inside him. Something was wrong. He frowned, and a word surfaced in his mind. 'Indifference.' Sydney did not care. She did not care whether he cheated or kissed another woman. Her face showed no emotion. She looked as serene as ever. She grabbed a coat casually.

"I'm heading to the hospital to check on Grandma." Caleb suddenly felt something slipping away. Without thinking, he reached out, gently caught her wrist, and carefully probed, "Syd, aren't you even a little angry?" Sydney blinked, slightly surprised. Being the Hampton family's daughter-in-law was no easy task. She thought this calm reaction would ease Caleb's mind. But no, it wasn't relief he sought. He wanted her anger.

slowly, "If I said I was angry, would you cut ties with Penelope?" Caleb's expression faltered. After a beat, he said, "Sydney, believe it or not, there's really nothing going on between us. After my birthday, I'll have her move out." "And you?" Sydney asked, looking him straight in the eye. Caleb frowned

wrist free and walked out. By the time Sydney reached the hospital, Dorothy was already asleep. She left again, driving aimlessly through the night like someone without a home. No, it was not just like that-she truly had nowhere to go. It was nearly midnight when she

noticed light spilling from the cracked door. Low voices came from inside. It was a heated argument. Then, unmistakably, Penelope started crying. Sydney looked away, pretending not to notice. She returned to her room and took a long, comforting hot shower. As she sat on the bed drying her hair, the mattress behind her dipped under