Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

Julian comforts Sydney after a tense phone call, wrapping his arm around her waist and reassuring her about their friends' safety. Sydney, feeling his warmth, begins to relax and eventually drifts off to sleep against him. Julian watches her peacefully, reflecting on their relationship and feeling a deep sense of protectiveness towards her, especially as he notices the changes in her over the years.

The moment of tranquility is interrupted when Sydney's phone rings, revealing Caleb's name. Julian feels a flicker of annoyance but Sydney answers the call, revealing Caleb's concern for her safety amidst a troubling situation. Caleb, who has always been protective of Sydney, expresses his worry and invites her to join him back in Jouleston, where the fallout from a recent incident is brewing. Sydney, however, asserts her independence by stating that she is already on her way back.

Caleb's surprise at her quick decision reflects his protective instincts, as he recalls a traumatic memory of a car crash involving Sydney that he wishes to avoid repeating. Inside the car, Julian's anxiety grows as he listens to the conversation, tightening his grip around Sydney. When she mentions that she is with Julian, the atmosphere shifts, leaving Caleb in a state of uncertainty and jealousy. Caleb grapples with his feelings, realizing that his bond with Sydney has changed since Julian entered the picture.

While he once saw their relationship as sibling-like, he now feels a pang of jealousy, wishing for the same depth of connection that Julian has with her. This emotional turmoil leaves him at a loss, indicating a shift in dynamics and the complexities of their relationships. Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below **When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 451** **Chapter 451** As Julian ended the call, he instinctively wrapped an arm around Sydney's waist, his other hand deftly typing a message on his phone.

The warmth of her body against him provided a sense of comfort amidst the chaos of their situation. "Don't worry. Alan and the others will be fine," he reassured her gently, his voice steady. Sydney, sensing the calmness in his demeanor, felt her tension begin to dissipate. "Okay," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. With a soft sigh, she leaned against his chest, her eyelids growing heavy as the weight of the day began to pull her into slumber. Julian, ever attentive, noticed the rhythmic rise and fall of her breathing as she surrendered to sleep.

than necessary, and turned to Elliot, signaling him to ease up on the speed. He allowed her the peace of rest, knowing how restless she could be even in her dreams. As a child, she had never been one to lie still, and that hadn't changed with age. Every now and then, she would shift in his embrace, yet her eyes remained closed, her

her belly drawing his attention. A wave of emotion washed over him, darkening his eyes. He felt a mix of protectiveness and something deeper, an unnameable feeling that stirred within him. Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered by the ringing of Sydney's phone. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open, and

with a mix of curiosity and concern. "Hello?" she answered, her voice still thick with sleep. Back in Brimcrest, Caleb had been the one to pull her from the brink of disaster. If it hadn't been for him, that accident could have spiraled into something

that Sydney wouldn't linger in Brimcrest. The pull to Jouleston, to confront the fallout alongside the Sterling family, was likely too strong for her to resist. "No need. I'm already on my way back," she replied simply, her tone firm. "So soon?" Caleb's surprise was palpable through the phone. He had been in Brimcrest for business, caught up in the whirlwind

lingered in his mind like a shadow. He could never bear to see her lying there, motionless, ever again. If he had to, he would trade his very being to protect her. His life was a small price to pay, especially since she had

fell silent, the weight of her words hanging in the air. Once upon a time, hearing that would have filled Caleb with reassurance. He had always convinced himself that he viewed Sydney as a younger sister, a bond forged in friendship rather than blood. With Julian being her "brother," it had seemed perfectly acceptable-no familial ties, no legal obligations, yet