Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

Chapter 27 Sydney's gaze slid past Penelope, who trailed behind. Her voice came out flat. "No need. Tiffany's waiting for me." Caleb finally sensed something was wrong. He reached out and gently caught her wrist. "Sydney, wait a second." She tried to pull away, but he didn't let go. Without looking at her, he told Penelope, "Go wait in the car." "Okay. Just make sure to talk it out nicely with Syd." Penelope kept her expression gracious, but her clenched fists betrayed her mood. Before climbing into the car, she threw Sydney a sour glance.

Caleb's thumb brushed lightly against the inside of Sydney's wrist while he searched for the right words. "About the hospital... When you hit Penny, she said she won't press charges. She's agreed to let it go. I also told her we'd hold off on the move for now." 'So that's the story he chose to tell. Penelope, the generous one. Caleb, the helpless mediator, doing it all for my sake,' she sneered inwardly. It was as if they were the ones cleaning up her so-called emotional mess. "What if I wanted to file a report?" Sydney asked. "What?" He looked caught off guard.

Her voice stayed even as she met his eyes. "If I had reported it that day, what would you have done? Spent all your time trying to protect Penelope?" The words she had overheard at the hospital still

It was for you." Because he wanted her there. Because he liked being near his precious Penny. Why pretend it was some grand act of kindness? She didn't match his height at 5'5", but she stood with quiet defiance. Her posture held steady. Her voice was measured.

it had been anyone else, he might have laughed it off. But under Sydney's calm, unwavering stare, the urge to argue faded. Rain began to fall harder. Caleb walked to his car, opened the trunk, and pulled out an umbrella. He returned and gently placed it in her hand. "Give me a little time. I'll make sure Penny's properly settled." Sydney knew exactly what she wanted and smiled faintly. "Can you really cut her