When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 140

When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 140 Summary

In Chapter 140 of “When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You,” the tension between Sydney and Julian escalates when Julian hints at a troubling proposition, suggesting that Sydney could “use herself to pay.” This cryptic statement is interrupted by Tiffany’s arrival, who brings a burst of energy but also confusion as she senses the charged atmosphere. Sydney’s immediate concern for Julian’s words reflects her protective instincts, while Tiffany’s disbelief adds to the mounting anxiety. The chapter captures a moment of uncertainty and unspoken fears among the characters, highlighting the emotional stakes involved.

The following morning, Sydney finds herself engulfed in her research, desperately seeking clarity amid chaos. Her exhaustion is palpable as she navigates her thoughts, reflecting a deep commitment to her work. The phone call from Julian, cold and demanding regarding a suit, breaks her concentration and pulls her back into reality. His concern for her well-being emerges in a subtle moment as he listens to her breathing, revealing a complex layer of their relationship that intertwines care with frustration.

As the day progresses, Julian’s solitude is interrupted by Raymond’s unexpected visit. Their banter reveals a deeper camaraderie tinged with irritation, as Julian grapples with Raymond’s probing questions about his personal life. The chapter showcases Julian’s guarded nature, particularly regarding his feelings for Sydney, and the pressure he feels from external expectations. Raymond’s casual demeanor contrasts sharply with Julian’s tension, creating a dynamic that underscores the challenges Julian faces in balancing his personal and professional life.

Overall, this chapter encapsulates themes of vulnerability, the weight of unspoken emotions, and the complexities of relationships. The characters navigate their fears and desires, setting the stage for potential conflicts and resolutions. Sydney’s commitment to her work, Julian’s guardedness, and Raymond’s playful intrusion all contribute to a rich narrative tapestry that keeps the reader engaged.

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**Title: When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You**

**Chapter 140**

“What is it?” Sydney inquired, her brow furrowing with curiosity.

Julian paused, a storm of thoughts swirling behind his eyes as he weighed the consequences of his words. Finally, he broke the silence, his voice rough and gravelly, reminiscent of metal scraping against stone. “You could always consider using yourself to pay—”

Just then, the elevator doors slid open with a soft hiss, interrupting the tension in the air. Tiffany emerged, a purse elegantly draped over one arm, while takeout bags dangled from her other hand. Her cheerful voice sliced through the moment like a knife, sharp and jarring. “Babe, I’m back!”

Sydney shot upright, her gaze piercing into Julian’s. “What did you just say?”

“Nothing,” Julian replied, his tone flat as he averted his eyes, glancing at Tiffany before stepping back to call the dog inside.

Tiffany, her hand clamped over her mouth, exchanged frantic glances with Sydney, her eyes wide with disbelief. “What the hell was that?” she almost shouted, her voice a mixture of confusion and alarm.

“What do you mean, what the hell?” Sydney tugged Tiffany toward the door, ushering her inside with urgency.

Tiffany replayed Julian’s expression in her mind, trying to decipher the hidden meanings behind his words. She shook her head vigorously, disbelief etched across her features. “No way that was nothing. The way he looked at me… He wanted blood. What did he say?”

“He didn’t even finish before you showed up,” Sydney replied, her voice steady but laced with concern.

As she took the takeout containers from Tiffany and began unpacking them onto the table, an unsettling feeling crept over her. Julian’s words had been so low, so obscured by the moment, that she hadn’t caught their full implication. Whatever they were, they certainly weren’t good.

The following morning dawned bright and clear, a Saturday devoid of clinic shifts or lab appointments.

Sydney had spent the entire night immersed in her research, her mind racing as she reorganized her plans from the ground up, searching desperately for breakthroughs that seemed just out of reach. The more she worked, the clearer her thoughts became, a focused clarity emerging from the chaos. By the time the sun hung high in the sky, she finally stood up, lightheaded from exhaustion, and staggered to her bed, collapsing into its embrace.

Half-asleep, she felt her phone buzz on the nightstand, a persistent vibration that pulled her from the depths of slumber. Her eyelids felt heavy, almost leaden, but she answered without even glancing at the caller ID. “Hello?” she murmured, her voice thick with sleep.

“When are you going to replace my suit?” Julian’s voice came through the line, cold and sharp, reminiscent of a debt collector demanding payment.

Sydney blinked, struggling to shake off the remnants of her dreams. “Tonight, okay? I need to sleep now,” she replied, her words slurring together as she drifted back into unconsciousness before she could even finish her sentence.

Julian was about to end the call when he caught the faint sound of her slow, steady breathing, a soft rhythm that hinted at her deep sleep. He paused, his hand lowering as he looked down, his eyelashes casting shadows over his eyes, which flickered with a mixture of concern and something deeper.

He slipped on his earbuds, returning to his office work with quiet determination, his movements deliberate and careful.

Time blurred into a haze until the doorbell rang, its sharp chime cutting through the silence.

Instinctively, Julian tapped mute on his device before rising to answer the door. His brows knitted together in surprise when he saw who was standing on the other side.

“Why are you here?” he asked, his tone betraying a mix of annoyance and curiosity.

Raymond breezed in with an air of nonchalance. “Your phone’s been busy. Had no choice but to come over,” he replied, a smirk playing on his lips.

Julian sank into the couch, crossing his legs as he regarded Raymond with a wary expression.

“What do you want?” he asked, his voice laced with irritation due to the interruption.

Raymond studied him with a knowing grin. “What’s wrong? Hiding a girl in here?”

“Wouldn’t you like that?” Julian shot back, his tone sharp, deflecting the question with practiced ease.

“I sure know you do,” Raymond said, leaning toward the wide-open, conspicuously empty bedroom, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Shame. Looks like the girl doesn’t want to be hidden.”

Julian’s gaze turned icy, a chill settling in the air between them. “You should’ve been a paparazzo, being this nosy,” he retorted, his patience wearing thin.

Raymond chuckled, the sound light and teasing. “Please. My old man would break both my legs if I pulled a stunt like that.”

The Huttons were notorious for their strict discipline; Julian knew all too well that Raymond’s grandfather was a military heavyweight, and his uncles were entrenched in the world of politics. The family was as straight-laced as they came, their reputation spotless. Allowing Raymond to practice medicine at all was already bending the rules; any further mischief would be unthinkable.

Through his earbuds, Julian could hear the subtle shift of Sydney as she turned in her sleep, a soft sigh escaping her lips. His expression softened slightly, the tension easing as he listened to the gentle cadence of her breathing.

“So? What was so urgent you had to come in person?” he asked, curiosity edging into his voice.

“Your housewarming,” Raymond replied, his tone casual as if he were discussing the weather.

Since Julian wasn’t exactly playing the role of host, Raymond helped himself, moving to grind coffee beans and start the machine with practiced ease. “Bruce and the others heard you moved. They’re insisting on coming over tonight.”

Julian shook his head firmly, his resolve unyielding. “Not tonight.”

Conclusion

As the chapter closes, the weight of unspoken words lingers heavily in the air, leaving Sydney and Julian at a crossroads where emotions clash and the future remains uncertain. Julian’s cryptic remark, cloaked in tension, hints at deeper issues that threaten to unravel their delicate connection. Sydney, caught in the whirlwind of her thoughts and the remnants of her sleepless night, grapples with the implications of Julian’s words, while her instincts push her to seek clarity amidst the chaos. The arrival of Raymond, with his light-hearted banter, serves as a stark contrast to the brewing storm, momentarily diffusing the tension but also highlighting the underlying fractures in Julian’s world.

In the quiet aftermath, Julian’s protective instincts surface as he contemplates the implications of his feelings for Sydney, a realization dawning that the stakes are higher than he had anticipated. The juxtaposition of his icy demeanor with the warmth he feels for her creates a poignant emotional arc, revealing the complexities of love intertwined with fear and vulnerability. As the night approaches, the promise of a housewarming gathering looms, yet Julian’s refusal to host speaks volumes about his internal struggle. The chapter closes on a note of anticipation, leaving readers to ponder how the characters will navigate the tumultuous waters of their relationships, and whether the ocean of their emotions will ultimately bring them together or pull them apart.

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

In the upcoming chapter, readers can expect the tension to escalate as Julian grapples with the implications of his secretive conversation with Sydney. The air is thick with unspoken words, and as the evening approaches, the stakes will rise. With Raymond’s unexpected visit and the looming housewarming gathering, Julian must confront not only his feelings for Sydney but also the consequences of the choices he has made. Will he be able to shield her from the truth, or will the facade he has built come crumbling down in the face of unwelcome scrutiny?

Meanwhile, Sydney’s restless mind, still reeling from Julian’s cryptic remarks, will drive her to uncover the deeper layers of their relationship. As she embarks on a quest for clarity, her determination may lead to revelations that challenge everything she thought she knew about Julian. The night promises to be fraught with surprises, and the intersection of their lives may lead to pivotal decisions that could alter their futures forever. With the housewarming party serving as the backdrop, the chapter will delve into the complexities of friendship, loyalty, and the uncharted waters of love, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover what lies ahead.

When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 141

Chapter 141

“Why not?” Raymond pressed, curiosity edged in his tone..

“Next week,” Julian answered instead.

He still owed Bruce a favor over the pen. He had to return it somehow.

“Pretty sure Caleb will come too,” Raymond reminded him.

“Good,” Julian replied.

His gaze drifted toward the front door, unfocused yet intense. The steady, delicate rhythm of h34 breathing through the earbuds filled the quiet. Just one door separated them now.

Raymond caught the subtle undertone and chuckled. “Not worried Caleb will catch on to your little crush?”

Then he realized he’d asked a stupid question. Since when had Julian ever cared what anyone thought?

As expected, Julian didn’t even reply. He checked his watch and shot a pointed look. “You done? You can leave now.

Raymond clicked his tongue but didn’t move. “Seriously, what are you up to tonight?”

The less Julian said, the more suspicious it seemed.

Julian ignored him and strode into the bathroom.

Left with the dog, Raymond ruffled its head. “C’mon, Yoyo, tell me. What’s your dad hiding?”

Since when did secrets exist between him and Julian?

Yoyo ignored him, shaking off the hand and padding lazily to its bed by the window.

“Yoyo…” Raymond whined.

When Julian emerged, showered and dressed, the pieces clicked for Raymond.

“You! How the hell did you get Sydney to agree to a date already?” he asked.

Julian usually wore tailored three-piece suits, hair immaculate. Tonight, though, he was in casual clothes, his hair deliberately tousled, and he had swapped his watch for something subtler.

Despite being 30, he looked more like a grad student, deliberately narrowing the age gap with Sydney.

Julian gave Raymond a sideways glance, brow arched. “Who said it was a date?”

‘So not a date, yet it clearly involves Sydney,’ Raymond thought.

Raymond teased, “Then what? A parent-child outing?”

“Get lost,” Julian muttered, half amused. “We’re going shopping.”

“Shopping? For who?” Raymond pressed.

“She’s buying for me, of course.” Julian smoothed his jacket smugly.

Raymond clicked his tongue in disbelief. “You? Shopping off the rack? With your germaphobia? Since when do you let anyone drag you into a store?”

Chapter 141

+25 BONUS

The Sterling heir’s closet was stocked with bespoke pieces for years. Even before trying anything on, the clothes required sanitizing.

“You ask too many questions.” Julian grabbed his coat. “Walk Yoyo since you’re so free. Half an hour, minimum.”

Before Raymond could protest, the door slammed in his face.

Of course he was ditched-for a girl.

Sydney remained dead to the world as the doorbell rang relentlessly.

She groaned and pulled the blanket over her head, trying to block it out.

“Precious, it’s almost six.” The familiar low voice at her bedside made her mumble, half-asleep, “I don’t care what time it is. I’m not getting up…

Halfway through, she jolted upright.

No. This wasn’t eight years ago.

Back then, she had been impossible to wake. Alarms were useless. Only Julian could get her out of bed.

He’d haul her upright, toothbrush and cup of water in hand. She’d sulk, but beneath it all, she’d always been a little afraid of him-just enough to brush her teeth.

Every time, he said the same thing. “If you don’t want your teeth, I’ll just have them all pulled. Then you can sleep two extra minutes every morning.”

When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 142

Chapter 142

Julian had a sharp tongue.

Sydney shook her head, grabbed her phone from the bed, and froze at the screen. Seven hours.

It took a moment to remember the promise she’d mumbled before falling asleep. Clearing her throat, she stammered, “1-1 must’ve been out cold. Give me a minute.”

She hung up, freshened up in record time, and changed clothes.

When she opened the door, Julian leaned against the wall, bored. At the sight of her, he straightened lazily, his voice flat. “I thought you were going to play dumb and skip out on paying.”

Sydney slipped on her coat as she stepped outside. “I can afford a suit.”

“Good. Let’s go,” Julian said.

By the time he pressed the elevator button, Sydney had fully shrugged into her coat. They stood side by side, looking like a married couple heading out together.

The elevator arrived quickly. Inside, a young couple held each other close. The woman curled into the man’s arms, his hand around her waist. The man gave an embarrassed smile but didn’t move. They looked like newlyweds.

Julian stepped in first, his gaze brushing over Sydney’s waist.

The woman piped up, bright and friendly. “We live upstairs. Haven’t seen you and your husband before. Just moved in?”

Glee flickered in Julian’s eyes, but Sydney shook her head quickly. “No, no. He’s just my neighbor. My husband doesn’t live here-”

“Which mall are we going to? To buy me clothes?” Julian’s voice landed like a bomb as Sydney explained.

She snapped her head up and caught the couple exchanging a knowing, suggestive glance.

‘Great. First, they thought Julian and I were married. Now I look like an adulterous wife sneaking around with her neighbor,’ she whined inwardly.

Sydney felt a headache forming. Was Julian doing this on purpose?

She glared at him. “The wholesale market. I’ll buy you 100 suits. That enough?”

Her words promised one thing, but she drove them straight to a members-only luxury mall, knowing exactly how picky Julian was.

At the men’s boutique, a familiar sales associate spotted Sydney and instinctively looked away.

She stammered, “M-Mrs. Hampton…”

Sydney frowned. “What is it?”

“N-Nothing.” The associate hesitated, then leaned closer and whispered, “Mr. Hampton… just came by. With someone else.”

The words weren’t explicit, but Sydney understood. Caleb had been here with another woman.

1/2

She smiled faintly and glanced at the man beside her. “Well, I’m here with someone else too.”

The associate, seasoned in rich-family gossip, steadied herself. “I thought you were here to pick something out for Mr. Hampton again.”

The moment she said it, the air around the man beside Sydney sharpened. His presence grew heavier, colder.

The associate was certain of one thing. This was his first time here. A man like this-looks, energy-she would never have forgotten.

“No,” Sydney said quickly. “This time I’m buying for my broth

She stopped, realizing she didn’t even know her relationship with Julian. Boss? Neighbor?

She asked quickly, “Where are the new arrivals?”

“Over there. Let me show you,” the associate said.

Sydney began picking out items for Julian herself. After all, she owed him. If she didn’t show sincerity, he’d just call her stingy again.

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Chapter 143

Sydney held up a dark pinstriped suit. “Try this one? I think it’d look great on you.”

The associate swore she wasn’t imagining it. At Sydney’s words, the man’s aura softened, even flickering with interest. They looked like a newlywed couple navigating a business partnership, still adjusting to each other.

‘Only Mr. Hampton…’ The associate bit her tongue. The man himself wasn’t exactly loyal. No wonder Sydney sought comfort in someone so devastatingly handsome.

“Sure,” Julian said.

With broad shoulders, a slim waist, a tall frame, and that striking face, he wore the suit better than any model. Heads would turn.

Sydney finally understood why wealthy women spent lavishly on their boy-toys. Still, when it came time to pay, her heart sank.

Julian tossed a belt onto the counter. “Add this. She’s paying.”

“I said one suit,” she snapped.

Julian tilted his chin at the associate. “Doesn’t a belt count as part of a suit set?”

His face was handsome, but his presence was intimidating-and technically, he wasn’t wrong.

The associate could only nod. “Yes, it does.”

Sydney gave in, her defeat total.

Later, they grabbed dinner upstairs. Many women stole glances their way, eight out of ten at Julian.

It struck Sydney: dressed casually today, Julian looked like a campus heartthrob, nothing like his usual cold, untouchable self. The contrast was magnetic.

Some women seemed ready to approach him for his number.

Someone familiar beat them to it.

“Syd?” It was Marcus.

Sydney smiled, setting down her cutlery. “Marc, you’re here too?”

“Just passing by. Saw you and came in to say hi,” he replied.

He wasn’t surprised to see Sydney with Julian. Whatever past tension existed, they were siblings. A shared meal wasn’t odd.

“Want to join us?” Sydney asked.

“Sure.” Marcus smiled and sat down.

In his presence, Sydney visibly relaxed. Despite being raised under Julian’s care, she had grown distant from him.

Julian’s phone buzzed, and he excused himself. “I’ll take this call.”

“Okay.” Sydney nodded, then summoned the server for more dishes.

Marcus, still smiling, resumed their earlier conversation. “About that idea I texted you this afternoon, what did

you think?”

Sydney had only skimmed it, bleary from being woken earlier. She nodded, thinking aloud. “I saw it. I think it could work if we adjust the dosage and test it again…”

“Syd, Dr. Shepard?”

The voice came from behind.

Penelope and Caleb approached.

Penelope glanced at Caleb and said pointedly, “See? I told you Syd and Dr. Shepard were close. You didn’t believe me.”

Caleb hadn’t expected to find Sydney and Marcus together. His expression remained unreadable as he asked, “Syd, step outside with me.”

Not wanting to make things awkward for Marcus, Sydney rose and followed.

The moment they were outside, Caleb’s grip clamped around her wrist. His voice was icy. “You’re coming home with me.”

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Chapter 144

“Why should I go home with you?” Sydney flushed, embarrassed in public, and tried to pull her hand free. “Caleb, can you be reasonable for once?”

Caleb frowned. “I’m not being reasonable?”

He had no words. Just seeing her laugh so easily with another man had left him burning with irritation.

Earlier, Penelope had begged him to take her shopping. He hadn’t wanted to raise suspicion, so he’d gone along as usual. Who could have guessed he’d stumble onto this scene?

Sydney was his wife. He could accept her working with other men, but spending her free time with them unsettled him to no end.

Sydney’s voice turned icy. “So your idea of reason is double standards?”

He could come and go with Penelope as he pleased, yet the moment she had dinner with another man, he lost control.

Caleb’s tone left no room for debate. “Penny’s already moved out. I’ll take you to Haven now, pack your things, and bring you home.”

“And if I refuse?” Sydney shot back.

“Syd, you don’t get a choice in this,” Caleb said.

The elevator doors opened as he pulled her forward.

“Hampton.” A deep, steady echoed. “I step away to take a call, and my sister disappears. Turns out you dragged her out here?”

Caleb’s brow creased, but relief washed over him when he realized the situation. He glanced at Sydney. “You were having dinner with Julian?”

Sydney hummed, doubling her embarrassment in front of Julian and yanking her hand free.

Her skin was delicate. Just from that brief grip, a red mark had already risen on her pale wrist.

Julian’s expression darkened. “She doesn’t even have the freedom to share a meal with someone?”

“Of course she does,” Caleb said, forcing patience into his voice. “I just worry she might run into someone with bad intentions, someone who could take advantage of her. If I’d known she was with you, I wouldn’t have worried.

11

Everyone in their circle knew how fiercely Julian protected Sydney. Back in middle school, Sydney had already been pretty enough to attract endless love letters. Julian had tossed every single one into the trash. Nothing enraged him more than a boy daring to covet his sister.

With Julian watching over her, Caleb felt more at ease.

Julian checked Sydney’s wrist, rubbing the mark while his gaze darkened. “She’s an adult now. She has the right to choose who she spends her time with.”

Sydney froze for a moment. Julian almost sounded like his old self again-the big brother who shielded her, never letting anyone so much as lay a hand on her.

Caleb noticed the red mark and felt guilt flicker across his face.

1/2

“I overreacted.” He softened his tone, offering her an easy out. “By the way, Julian just moved. We’re all going over next week for a housewarming. Come along.”

Sydney’s first thought wasn’t the gathering, but that she could see Yoyo openly. “Got it.”

Her compliance softened Caleb’s gaze.

‘She’s obedient most of the time,’ he thought.

Sydney went to the clinic as usual.

Ornaments hung at the entrance and over the parking lot. The holiday atmosphere was everywhere. Other departments were nearly empty, yet her appointments still filled as soon as registration opened.

Her nurses felt torn-slightly resentful, mostly grateful. Other departments let staff take time off, but hers worked straight through until holiday eve.

Every year, Sydney paid them triple out of her own pocket. The perks here outshone any hospital in town.

Knowing patients were eager to leave, Sydney skipped acupuncture, sending them off with medicine if their condition allowed.

“Syd, don’t forget-come straight over after work,” Eliana called.

Sydney smiled. “It’s Alan’s birthday. Even if you hadn’t invited me, I’d have to crash the party.”

Alan’s medical skill was impressive. If he wanted, his door would be flooded with guests for days.

2/2

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Chapter 145

It was just that Alan hated socializing. Every year, the only person he invited was Sydney. In recent years, Marcus had joined them.

With their son abroad, Sydney felt like a daughter to them.

“If your mentor hears that, he’ll be over the moon,” Eliana chuckled, admiring Sydney’s thoughtfulness. “We’re at the supermarket. Anything you want us to pick up?”.

Sydney played the dutiful student. “It’s Alan’s birthday. Whatever he likes, I’ll eat.”

Eliana laughed. “Listen to this girl, always knowing the right thing to say.”

She called out to Alan as she headed toward the seafood section, remembering Sydney’s fondness for salt-baked prawns. Then she spoke into the phone again. “All right, when you’re off, just come with Marcus.”

“Okay,” Sydney agreed sweetly, hung up, and called in her next patient.

After Marcus left for a meeting, Sydney sat in the car with the heater on and waited for him. She had been staying up late for the new drug research project, and the warmth and exhaustion combined to make her drowsy. Marcus wouldn’t be back for at least 20 minutes, so she figured she could sneak in a nap.

She reclined the seat, eyes just closing, when someone knocked on the window.

Her eyes fluttered open. Outside stood Penelope.

Sydney lowered the window, her voice faint with fatigue. “What do you want?”

Penelope glared at her. “Did you say something to Cal?”

Lately, Caleb seemed unchanged on the surface, but Penelope felt his constant probing. A sharp, gnawing sense of danger had taken root. She needed to know exactly where she stood.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Sydney replied.

She knew it was about the pendant, but she had already decided to play dumb. After the fiasco Penelope had stirred up at the hotel, Sydney still felt shaken. She had no intention of getting dragged back into that mess.

Penelope pressed, “Don’t play dumb. I’m talking about the pendant. Did you say anything to him?”

“No.” Sydney’s tone was cold. “Why would I? He dotes on you. Whether that pendant is truly yours or something you stole makes no difference to him.”

She had told Caleb it wasn’t Penelope’s, yet the two had still been inseparable at the mall just two days ago. Penelope narrowed her eyes. “Really?”

Sydney smiled suddenly, her gaze sharp. “Penelope, that pendant doesn’t hide some dirty little secret, does it?”

Otherwise, why cling to it so desperately? Why care if Caleb found out?

“It’s just a piece of jewelry. What secret could it possibly hold?” Penelope forced a calm look and stepped back.” I’m just warning you. Stay out of things that don’t concern you.”

Sydney didn’t reply. She rolled the window up.

Furious, Penelope stormed off toward her car.

The moment she turned the corner, a hand slammed her against the wall.

Victor’s face twisted with rage as he yanked her hair back. “You bitch. Dodging me for days, huh? Thought I wouldn’t find you myself?”

Penelope had been too clever for her own good. She had whispered promises of “mutual benefit” at Dorothy’s birthday party but had used the chaos at the hotel auction in the Hamptons to slip away. Victor was left to deal with the fallout alone.

For days, he had sent men to track her. She either hid at home or clung to Caleb’s side.

S

Pain flared across her scalp. “I haven’t been avoiding you! It wasn’t my fault the hotel plan failed.”

She had arranged everything perfectly. Even if Julian’s people had arrived quickly, it should have given Victor enough time to ruin Sydney’s reputation.

If anyone had botched it, it was Victor himself. How dare he pin it on her.

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Chapter 146

“Who said it was foolproof?” Victor forced the words through clenched teeth.

If Penelope hadn’t sworn it would work, he never would have boarded her sinking ship-let alone paid such a steep price for it.

At that, Penelope’s guilt stirred. She already knew from Caleb what had happened: Julian had ruined Victor. She had been avoiding Victor these past few days, hoping to escape the fallout, but the fire had spread. Now he was holding her responsible.

Her scalp still burned where he had yanked her hair, but her thoughts spun.

Scowling, she muttered, “How was I supposed to know Mr. Sterling would show up that day? You can’t pin that on me…”

Then something clicked. Her tone hardened. “If you want to blame someone, blame Sydney. She’s the real culprit.”

She jerked her chin toward Sydney’s car with a sinister smirk. “You’re the one who got crippled, but she walked away without a scratch. Now she’s out there flaunting her looks, stringing men along.”

In the distance, Marcus climbed into Sydney’s car. The two of them were off to celebrate their mentor’s birthday.

“Shut up!” Victor barked, smacking Penelope across the face. “Don’t think I don’t see through you. You want me to clear the way so you can take Mrs. Hampton’s place, don’t you?”

He didn’t hold back. The smacks stung like open-handed slaps.

Penelope hissed at the pain. “I’m just saying it’s not fair to you. After everything you’ve sacrificed for her, she doesn’t even care. If you want my advice, ruin that pretty face of hers. Then she’ll have no choice but to stay with you.”

Victor let out a cold laugh. It was rare to encounter such a venomous woman.

Grabbing her chin, he snarled, “Jealous of her, huh? You should be. Even one of her toes is worth more than your entire face.”

‘Those delicate, rosy toes…’ He had dreamed a thousand times of having them pressed against him.

For the first time, Penelope realized Victor’s obsession with Sydney went beyond physical desire. It was twisted, bordering on deranged.

His insult still stung, but she swallowed it down. She couldn’t risk pushing the Sterling heir too far.

Forcing a smile, she changed tactics. “If you really want Sydney to crawl into your bed willingly, there might be another way.”

“What did you just say?” Victor demanded.

“Mr. Sterling, we don’t have to force it this time.” She leaned close and whispered her scheme into his ear.

“You sure about this?” His tone dripped with menace. “Penelope, if you screw me again and I end up in another mess, I may not have Julian’s power, but don’t forget-I can still kill you.”

Sydney and Marcus arrived at Alan’s home, where Alan and Eliana had lunch nearly ready. The main dishes simmered on the stove while Eliana tossed together a couple of sides.

1/2

Sydney set down the gift bag and beamed as she slipped into the kitchen. “Happy birthday, Alan! May we celebrate. you like this for many years to come,”

Eliana chuckled as she sprinkled seasoning. “Celebrate him like this for years to come? At his age, he’d practically be a monster by then.”

Alan bristled in mock offense. “And what if I want to be a monster? Then you’d better stick around to be one with

me.”

Marcus laughed. “We haven’t even sat down to eat yet, and you’re already force-feeding us PDA.”

“Showing off is his favorite hobby,” Sydney teased as she washed her hands to help Eliana.

She wasn’t much of a cook, but she was quick enough to pass along whatever seasonings were needed.

The air was warm and lively, thick with the scent of food and the comfort of family.

At the table, Marcus uncorked a bottle of red wine he had brought, and everyone drank a little. After the meal, Alan set out a chessboard and pulled Marcus into a game.

Sydney, tipsy from even a small amount of wine, curled on the couch to watch.

31

Eliana poured her a cup of hot tea. “Drink this. Alan asked me to make it for you. It’ll help sober you up.

“Thanks,” Sydney murmured. Her movements were slow and gentle as she accepted the cup, looking docile as a kitten.

S

2

Seeing her like that made Eliana’s heart ache. “Johnson’s wife is due with their second. She can’t travel, so we will fly over.”

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Chapter 147

Johnson Conton was Alan and Eliana’s only son.

Sydney sipped her tea. “That’s fine. I’ll pick up some local specialties for you two to bring back.”

Eliana patted her head. “And what about you? Will you come with us this year?”

She sometimes admired Sydney’s thoughtfulness, yet other times pitied how alone and restrained she always seemed.

Every year they invited Sydney to spend the holiday with them. Still, she knew Johnson and his family only came home once a year, so she always waited until the second day to visit.

This year, though, the house would be emptier than ever after her divorce from Caleb.

Sydney only smiled. “I think I’ll stay. I could use the downtime to rethink my research plan.”

The treatment was working for now, but the side effects still troubled her. She wanted to improve it.

“You could still work on it if you came with us…” Eliana fretted.

“That’s enough,” Alan cut in gently. “You know her temperament. She wouldn’t feel comfortable tagging along. Better we stock up food for her before we go. Make extra of those snacks she likes. Meatballs, fried meat…”

“Alan…” Sydney ducked her head, embarrassed.

“Fine, fine,” Eliana said quickly, giving Sydney a mock glare. “Happy now?”

“Very happy.” Sydney leaned against her arm with affection. “Thank you, Eliana.”

Before long, her eyes slid shut, and she drifted into a deep sleep.

Eliana smiled and glanced at Alan, gesturing for silence.

Alan chuckled. “After running herself ragged on that project and drinking too? Not even thunder could wake her

now.”

“Yeah. She’s hopeless with alcohol,” Marcus added as he placed a chess piece. “Just let her sleep on the couch.”

“Are you going easy on me again?” Alan shot him a glare at the move. “Think I’m too old to play properly?”

The wine kept Sydney asleep. By the time she stirred, sunset painted the sky gold, and the house was quiet and dim.

Rubbing her eyes, she sat up groggily and noticed someone else in the living room.

Julian lounged on the sofa. At the sound of her moving, he looked over. “Awake?”

Sydney was startled to see him there.

“Where is everyone?” she asked softly.

Julian noted how she asked for someone else first.

Once, when she was just a child he had taken in, she clung to him for safety. Each time she woke from a nap and didn’t see him, she would cry and beg for her brother. Now, she only looked disappointed that he was the one

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waiting.

Julian’s expression stayed cold. “No idea.”

“Oh,” Sydney replied.

Only then did she notice his suit jacket covering her. The blanket Eliana had laid on her had slipped to the floor, and knowing Julian, he wouldn’t pick it up again once it touched the ground.

Sydney stood and held out the jacket. “Thank you, Mr. Sterling.”

“No” Julian began to wave it off, but his eyes froze on a spot of dark red staining the fabric.

Following his gaze, Sydney felt her stomach drop. She had gotten her period and stained his jacket.

Her eyes darted to the couch. Thankfully, she must have bunched the jacket beneath her while she slept, sparing the upholstery.

She tried to check her skirt, but the angle made it impossible.

Julian said, “Turn around. I’ll check for you.”

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When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 148

Chapter 148

Sydney’s ears burned red, hot enough to feel as if they might bleed. She stammered, “I-I’ll go to the bathroom myself.”

“Wait.” Julian caught her wrist and drew her closer, knotting his suit jacket neatly around her waist to hide the stain on her skirt.

“T-Thank you,” Sydney whispered.

With Alan and the others due back at any moment, this felt safer.

Her cheeks flushed as hot as her ears. Instead of heading straight to the bathroom, she detoured to her car. She always kept spare clothes in the trunk, though she hadn’t expected to need them today.

Her disrupted sleep schedule had thrown her cycle off. Still, after checking her pulse yesterday, she had known it was near and packed pads in her bag just in case.

After cleaning up and changing, she stepped out of the bathroom and met Julian’s dark, steady gaze. Awkwardness still clung to her.

Holding out the jacket, she said softly, “I’ll wash this and-”

“This one’s pricier than the last,” Julian cut in.

‘So merciless…’ The thought of losing another small fortune to her period made Sydney’s head spin. She rubbed her stomach, ready to argue, when the jacket slipped from her hands.

Something flickered in Julian’s eyes as he reclaimed it. “Never mind. I’ll wash this one myself.”

“You’ll… wash it yourself?” The words escaped before she could stop them.

They had lived under the same roof for nine years, and she had never once seen him do his own laundry. Besides, suits weren’t meant for the machine.

Julian’s grip tightened. His gaze flicked to the stain before he cleared his throat. “I’ll take it back and have it cleaned.”

“Alright then.” She nodded just as Alan came in from the backyard with Marcus.

Alan set down his fishing rod and handed over the catch. “I’ll make you a soup so fresh it’ll melt your tongue later. Least I can do after that century-old Sengra root you gave me.”

Julian slipped the jacket over his arm with practiced ease and a faint smile. “Then I’ll count myself lucky.”

Sydney blinked. “Century-old Sengra root?”

Rare herbs like that were always on her radar. The only one available lately had been the root at the last auction.

Alan grinned. “The very same one you regretted not winning to give me as a birthday gift at lunch today.”

Sydney couldn’t help glancing at Julian, confusion stirring. She had thought he bought it for Charlotte’s father’s

recovery.

Alan clapped Julian’s shoulder. “Up for a few games? Playing with Marcus is no fun. He always lets me win.”

Not just Marcus-most people gave way to Alan, whether out of respect or because they wanted something from him. Only with Julian did he find a true challenge, no matter the outcome.

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“Sure,” Julian agreed without hesitation.

“I’ll help Eliana in the kitchen, then,” Marcus offered.

“I’ll go too-“Sydney began.

Julian’s voice cut across hers, “It’s cold. Brew some tea.”

Alan nodded. “You don’t cook anyway, so don’t get in the way.”

“Fine…” She busied herself with the tea, though her mind kept circling back to Julian’s words.

Did he mean it was cold and, because of her period, she shouldn’t handle too much water? Or that it was cold, so she should prepare something warm for him?

By the time they finished dinner, night had fallen.

Sydney was about to get into her car when Julian strode over, his long legs eating the distance. “Elliot’s gone. I’ll ride with you.”

“I…” she began.

When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 149

Chapter 149

Sydney’s eyes flicked guiltily to the jacket in Julian’s hand. “Alright.”

Since they’d all been drinking, Marcus had taken a cab, while Sydney arranged for a driver to drive them back.

Her afternoon nap had left her wide awake, but Julian-after a few extra glasses with Alan-leaned back and closed his eyes. Liquor and sandalwood clung faintly to him.

Sydney usually hated the smell of alcohol on people, yet somehow it wasn’t unpleasant on Julian.

The car fell into silence. Sydney turned to the window and watched the city lights flicker past, trying to remember the last time she and Julian had sat together without fighting. Years, at least-so long she couldn’t recall.

She still carried the weight of that unanswered question: why had he dropped her so easily?

‘He… is probably still angry. Angry that I defied him three years ago, marrying Caleb and humiliating him in public. That’s why every meeting since our reunion in Storia has been laced with tension,’ she thought.

“That root was always meant for Mr. Conton.” Julian’s voice cut into the quiet. It was hoarse from the drinks, and it lacked its usual edge.

Sydney froze, startled he would even bother to explain. She turned to him. “Wasn’t it for Ms. Lindstrom’s father…?

At the auction, he had said someone wanted it badly, and that he’d be in trouble if he didn’t win. Could that someone have been Alan all along?

Julian didn’t open his eyes. Half-lidded in the passing streetlights, he murmured, “What does her father have to do with me?”

That settled it. Charlotte wasn’t the woman in his heart. If she were, he would have cared about her family too.

‘So then… who is it?’ The thought startled Sydney. ‘Whoever it is, it isn’t my business.’

“Alright,” she said lightly. “I didn’t realize you knew Alan’s tastes so well.”

For someone so cold, it surprised her that Julian would know what Alan liked.

Julian, even slouched, still sat taller than her. He looked down for a long moment before his brow furrowed. “Who told you I was thinking about his tastes?”

Maybe because they were rarely this civil, Sydney’s guard slipped. Without thinking, she blurted, “Then whose tastes? Don’t tell me it’s mine?”

After all, she had wanted that root badly.

Julian’s gaze locked onto hers, sliding down to her lips. His eyes churned with something unspoken. “That’s exactly whose.”

Sydney’s breath caught. Her lips parted in shock, but before she could speak, the car jerked into a sharp turn and braked hard at the curb.

The sudden stop threw her forward, tumbling into Julian’s lap. His hand clamped around her waist instantly, and he held her tightly.

Her skirt slipped, baring a strip of skin beneath his palm, hot and unyielding against her.

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GIRIDEST BU

Heat shot through her chest, searing her veins,

“Sorry, someone ran a red light,” the driver said quickly.

The words snapped Sydney back. Flustered, she scrambled upright, but in the struggle brushed against something beneath the fabric that burned hotter than his hand.

Julian’s breath came rough. His grip tightened. In one swift motion, he pulled her fully onto his lap. His mouth dipped to her ear, and he whispered, “Move again, and I’ll show you what a taboo relationship feels like.”