When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 151
Chapter 151
“You sure you’re all right?” Tiffany asked, still uneasy.
“I’m fine.” Sydney downed a glass of milk in one gulp and returned to her room. The truth was that she had no idea how to even begin talking about it.
Back in the car, she had thought Julian only wanted her to admit defeat and acknowledge him like an older brother. But lying in bed that night, the more she replayed it, the less it felt right. A thought had taken root inside her, spreading like wild grass.
Still, he was supposed to be her brother. Sydney could not tell if she was simply overthinking.
Since childhood, she had delivered countless love letters to him–dozens, at least. They had come from school beauties and girls from prominent families.
Julian could have anyone he wanted. There was no way he would be interested in her, especially not in a married woman, at least on the surface. Besides, he had said it himself that he was not single.
Sydney exhaled slowly. ‘Most likely, I am imagining things.‘
The next morning, before heading to the clinic, Sydney drove Tiffany to the airport. This case could make or break Tiffany’s promotion, and she had to fly out personally to persuade a witness in another state.
By noon, Sydney returned from work, only to find Caleb waiting in the parking lot.
The snow had not yet melted. He stood beside her car in a long coat, tall, straight, and as handsome as ever. He exuded the image of a perfect gentleman.
Sydney frowned. She had no idea what game he and Penelope were playing. The two of them seemed intent on taking turns cornering her.
Still, Penelope’s obsession with the pendant had far exceeded what Sydney expected. Maybe Caleb held the
answer.
She approached quickly. “Why not come to the clinic if you’re looking for me?”
“I did not want to interrupt your work,” Caleb said smoothly. “Have you eaten yet? There’s a nice restaurant nearby…”
“No need.” She had worked late and missed the cafeteria hours, but eating with Caleb was unnecessary. do you want?”
“What
The chill in her tone caught him off guard, stabbing at his chest. Maybe couples really could not live apart. Sydney had not always been this way. She used to be obedient and tolerant.
He made up his mind. “When are you moving back? This afternoon works. I’m free. I can help pack your things.”
He reached out, intending to ruffle her hair and soften the distance between them.
1/2
Sydney stepped back, retreating two paces. “Caleb, did you not hear a single word I said that day? I told you that I will not interfere with you and that you must stop interfering with me.”
She added coldly, “Is keeping things the way they were before not good enough?”
That had always been their reality. The only difference back then was that they had been living under the same roof. But in his eyes, she had never truly existed. Even if she had died in that house, Caleb might not have
noticed.
His brows knit. “I told you, that was my fault. It will not happen again.”
After a pause, he said, “As for Penelope, I will cut ties with her very soon.”
He was nearly certain now that Penelope had used the pendant to impersonate Precious. The thought made him want to strangle her on the spot. But what if he was wrong? That was why he had held back, waiting for Gordon’s final confirmation.
He had to know how the pendant had fallen into her hands. Had she bullied Precious, that tearful little girl who had once cried her heart out when they parted?
Sydney stared at him, stunned. “What did you just say?”
She had seen clearly how shamelessly he had bent over backward for Penelope. And now he claimed he would sever ties with her?
Caleb pressed his lips thin, aware his words were hard to believe. “Believe me or not. I will make it happen.”
X
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 152
Chapter 152
Once it was confirmed that Penelope was an imposter, Caleb would not just cut ties. He would make her pay every last one of her debts.
The thought of the real Precious, somewhere out there, possibly suffering all these years, made him want to strangle Penelope with his bare hands.
It was his fault too. Back then, he had been too desperate to find Precious. The moment he saw that pendant around Penelope’s neck, he had let his guard down, careless enough not to question it further.
Sydney clenched her palm. Without Penelope in the picture, she would almost have no excuse left to continue this cold war with him. But she had not forgotten her suspicion.
Looking directly at Caleb, she seized the moment. “Why was Penelope so afraid of you discovering the pendant wasn’t hers?”
Caleb fell silent. He had no way to explain. Their relationship was already fragile. If he admitted he had been searching for another woman all this time, the tenuous tie between them might snap completely.
Sometimes, he did not even understand himself. His heart was still tangled with Precious. Yet he could not accept Sydney’s insistence that they should live separate lives.
The thought of her standing beside another man made his chest tighten painfully, like someone squeezing his heart, until even breathing became a struggle.
He studied her clear, delicate features and, for his own selfish reasons, brushed it off. “Maybe she was afraid I’d blame her for something.”
Sydney did not believe it for a second. “Just that?”
Last time, Penelope had been ruthless enough to frame her by shoving her own child down the stairs. How could someone like that fear nothing more than a pendant?
Caleb had always defended Penelope without question.
“Yes. Just that.” He nodded, then quickly changed the topic. “Come on, I’ll help you move back.”
Only if she returned home could he feel at ease.
Never mind that their divorce papers were already signed. Even without them, she would never live under the same roof with him again.
“Caleb, I am not moving back-” Before she could finish, Caleb’s phone vibrated sharply.
He pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and stepped aside to answer. “Speak.”
“Mr. Hampton, I tracked down the former director from the orphanage,” Gordon said, cutting straight to the point. “According to her memory, Ms. Monroe’s father was never a police officer. He was a gambler. One night, drunk, he beat his wife to death. He was sentenced for it, and that is how Ms. Monroe ended up in the orphanage. Ms. Monroe must have lied to you before.”
1/2
Before Gordon could finish, Caleb’s expression darkened. He gripped the phone so tightly that his knuckles stood out, as if he might crush it.
He remembered the first time he met Penelope, the moment he saw that pendant. He had rushed forward, eager, asking if she remembered him and how she had once saved him and his family.
She had looked startled at first, then nodded quickly. But looking back, the signs had been there from the start.
He had assumed she was slow to react. In truth, she had had no idea what he had been talking about. Yet he had trusted her blindly, just because of a pendant.
Caleb narrowed his eyes and smiled coldly. “Good. Get back to Jouleston immediately.”
From where she stood, Sydney could not hear his words. But for the first time, she saw that chilling cruelty in his eyes, an expression sharp enough to freeze one’s blood.
She did not know exactly what had happened, only that it involved Penelope. Only Penelope could throw his emotions into such chaos.
He hung up and strode toward her, steps quick and firm. “I have something urgent to take care of.”
“Alright,” Sydney said, her voice calm and steady as always.
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 153
There was no hint of surprise in Sydney’s eyes.
Caleb held her gaze. “Once I finish this, I’ll come help you move back.”
Without Penelope in the way, she would likely agree to return. He did not wait for Sydney’s reply. His car roared off, tires hissing against the wet asphalt. He was in a rush, just as he always had been when dropping everything to run to Penelope.
Sydney felt nothing–no surprise or disappointment. She drove straight to the lab and immersed herself in work.
Perhaps Charlotte’s scolding last time had made an impact. The two male colleagues in the medicine group, who had long looked down on her, had become unexpectedly cooperative over the past few days. Their newfound teamwork accelerated research progress.
That afternoon, for the first time in a while, Sydney did not stay late in the lab. She went shopping instead and picked up a variety of specialty goods.
The next morning, before dawn, she collected Alan and Eliana and drove them to the airport.
With the New Year approaching, the roads were packed. Traffic crawled over the overpass, and only after a long wait did she manage to drop them at the terminal.
Just as she started the engine to leave, her phone rang. “Hello?”
“Hello, this is the Jouleston Police Department. You are Tiffany Voss‘ emergency contact, correct?” The voice was clipped and official.
At the sound of Tiffany’s name, Sydney’s heart sank. “Yes, I am.”
Tiffany’s family had always favored sons over daughters. When she was admitted to Jouleston University, they forbade her enrollment, insisting the money would be better spent on her brother’s wedding. She had been expected to start working immediately and save for his house.
All these years, except for New Year’s, Tiffany had barely spoken to her family. Sydney had long served as her only emergency contact.
“She is suspected of instigating a witness to commit perjury. She is in custody. Please bring her clothes and personal items as soon as possible.”
Sydney went momentarily blank and replied instinctively, “Understood. I’ll come right away.”
Rain drizzled against the windshield as the white SUV sliced through the streets, leaving long streaks of water behind.
At home, Sydney packed a bag and called the Hampton estate. The housekeeper answered.
“George, it’s Sydney. Is my mother–in–law home?” she asked.
A brief pause followed before Adeline’s cold voice replaced his. “What is it?”
1/2
Sydney folded clothes into a suitcase and forced herself to speak. “My friend is in trouble. Could I trouble you to find out exactly what happened?”
Sydney knew Tiffany better than anyone. She would never instigate false testimony. Over the years, Sydney had learned how twisted these cases could become. Ordinary people saw only fragments. Connections were the only way to get the full picture. She needed answers before deciding her next move.
Adeline sneered, “Sydney, so you finally know how to speak humbly? When you demanded a million from me, that was not the tone you used.”
Sydney’s nails dug into her palm. For the first time, she regretted her past defiance. How had she dared clash head–on with Adeline?
The thought of Tiffany trapped, helpless and desperate, drew a shaky breath from her. “I was reckless, blinded by greed. Please do not hold it against me.”
“Too late.” Adeline’s laugh was sharp and cutting. “Sydney, I always said you were clever. You acted sweet and obedient for years just to marry into our family. But you are truly foolish. How dare you burn bridges with me when you had nothing to rely on?”
Today’s Bonus Offer
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 154
On the way to the police station, Sydney could not stop turning the thought over in her mind. With Eloise, she had always endured and swallowed insult after insult because she knew the old woman’s capabilities.
She was certain Eloise despised her. Those eyes often regarded her as if she were already dead, yet the woman never struck the final blow.
Sydney had no power, no backing. She could not afford to provoke her. To survive, she had to stay meek. She had
to endure.
However, she had not endured in the Hampton family. Perhaps she had assumed she discovered Adeline’s weakness, finally a leverage point to bargain with.
At the police station…
The officers accepted the bag of clothes and promptly told Sydney to leave.
Sydney could not just walk away. “Officer, what’s really happening with Tiffany’s case? She would never persuade anyone to commit perjury.”
The officer hesitated. “We’ve had orders from higher up. It’s serious. Until it’s settled, no one is allowed to see her.”
The words made Sydney’s stomach tighten. What kind of case required “orders from higher up?”
She pressed her lips together, about to push further, when her phone rang. The caller ID made her stomach drop. She thanked the officer quickly, hurried outside, and answered in a hard, cold voice. “Was it you? Did you set up Tiffany?”
“Well, well.” Victor’s voice was lazy, mocking. “Getting all worked up already?”
Any remaining doubt vanished.
Sydney asked, “What do you want?”
“I want you to beg me,” Victor drawled carelessly.
“Victor!” Rain poured harder, and Sydney did not bother opening her umbrella. She strode toward her car, speaking fast. “Why drag Tiffany into this? Do you know what you’re doing? You’ll ruin her life!”
In university, Tiffany had fought tooth and nail to study. After graduating, she had worked even harder. If this charge stuck, everything she had built would collapse.
“Cut the crap.” Victor’s voice carried a cold finality.
Consequences never touched him.
He only sneered, “Sydney, I’m done with the hard way this time. This time, I want you to come to me yourself. I want you to climb into my bed willingly.”
Sydney’s eyes burned red with fury, and she ground her teeth. “In your dreams.”
1/2
She knew this was not his idea. He lacked the brains for it. Undoubtedly, it was Penelope’s scheme again.
Sydney forced herself to think clearly. Then she floored the gas, steering straight for Viridian Garden. If Adeline would not lift a hand, she would go to Caleb.
Over the phone, Victor chuckled, unbothered. “Dream or not, we’ll see soon enough. You have one night to think it over. If I don’t see you before dawn tomorrow, your friend can look forward to prison.”
He hung up.
Sydney pressed her foot harder, nearly to the floor. By the time she reached Viridian Garden, she barely stopped the car. She left the engine running as she flung open the door and rushed inside.
Upon hearing the car in the courtyard, Kelly Watts hurried to open the gate. She was surprised to see Sydney in such a panic. “Ms. Wilson, why are you back?”
“Where’s Caleb?” Sydney asked, breathless, desperate to clutch at the last straw.
Kelly shook her head. “He isn’t here. He has hardly come home these past few days.”
‘So that’s what Caleb meant when he said Penelope had moved. He moved out with her,‘ she thought bitterly.
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 155
Sydney had no time to think about anything else.
“Where did Penelope move to?” she pressed.
“Well…” Kelly hesitated. “I don’t know.”
A faint weight settled in Sydney’s chest. She climbed back into her car and dialed Caleb. No answer.
Then a message appeared–Victor, with a hotel room number.
Victor: [Be good. Stop wasting your time. Caleb has no time for you.]
On the outskirts of the city, a black Maybach glided into a secluded villa’s courtyard. The driver stepped out, opened a black umbrella, and held the rear door.
Caleb emerged. His long frame moved with cold precision, and his eyes betrayed a dark storm of emotions.
Gordon rushed to meet him. “Mr. Hampton.”
“Is she willing to talk?” Caleb’s voice was stripped of its usual gentleness.
Gordon fell into step beside him. “Ms. Monroe insists on speaking to you directly.”
A cold glint flashed through Caleb’s eyes. He straightened his cuffs and strode into the basement. The woman he had once held with care now waited in a bare concrete room, trapped behind iron bars.
The moment Penelope saw him, she dashed forward and shook the door with trembling hands. Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Cal, Cal! I know I was wrong! Please, let me out!”
Once, Caleb could not bear to see her cry. Her tears had always summoned the image of that little girl clutching her father’s hand, darting through traffic to protect his family. His heart had softened against his will.
Even after she had long ceased to be that innocent child, he had indulged her and lowered his bottom line repeatedly for her.
And yet, she had never been Precious.
After his father’s funeral, when he and his mother returned to Jouleston, he had begged the housekeeper to take him to Brimcrest City,
Unfortunately, he had been too late. He had tracked down her address, only to learn from neighbors that her parents had died in an accident. She had vanished.
For years, he had pursued every lead and pulled every string until the day he saw the pendant around Penelope’s
neck.
And now, it had all been for nothing. Worse, he had wasted years on her while his Precious remained lost, perhaps still suffering somewhere. He did not even know if she was alive.
1/2
The thought tore through him. He lunged forward, his boot slamming the iron door wide. He seized Penelope by the throat and slammed her against the wall.
Veins bulged in his hand as his voice dropped. “I will ask you one last time. How did that pendant end up in your
hands?”
His unrelenting eyes narrowed and tracked every flicker of her expression.
Her spine cracked painfully against the wall. She tilted her head back to meet his gaze, knowing in that instant that one lie would be her death sentence.
Terror surged inside her. How could this man, always so polished and composed, become a stranger in an instant? Was it really just because she had impersonated some Precious? Had all the years they shared meant nothing? Why was she worth less than that wretched girl?
Then jealousy and fury consumed her.
She looked at Caleb and laughed. “I stole it! I ripped it from the girl you loved most in this world!”
Today’s Bonus Offer
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 156
Chapter 156
So what if that girl had been the one Caleb cherished most? Back then, she had still been at Penelope’s mercy. And Penelope remembered her vividly.
Back then…
The orphanage teemed with ragged, hollow–eyed children. Unexpectedly, a girl arrived in a delicate princess dress, clutching the director’s hand with timid fingers. Her parents had just died, and her eyes were swollen from crying, round and glistening like bruised peaches.
She looked heartbreakingly pitiful.
The moment the director turned away, Penelope rushed forward and yanked the hairclip from her head.
Raised in a loving home, the little girl had seen no malice. Instead, she obediently removed another clip and offered it. “Here, you can have this one too.”
Penelope slapped it from her hand.
That was the first time Penelope realized just how much she resembled a rat crawling in the gutter, standing beside a child who had once been cherished.
Caleb felt a murderous storm surge through him. His vision burned red, and his grip around her throat tightened without mercy. She had bullied Precious, and he intended to kill her.
Penelope felt the air crush from her lungs, yet the smile on her lips did not waver. She forced out a final gasp. “If you strangle me, you’ll never find her.”
“What did you say?” Reason snapped back for an instant. His hold loosened slightly, and his eyes locked on her with a predator’s intensity. “You know where she is?”
Penelope offered no riddles. “I know the family who adopted her.”
Excitement flared in his gaze.
“You’ll have to let me go first.”
“Where?”
“Fine.” He studied her sharply and eased his grip in careful increments. “But do not play games. You know I can end you in a heartbeat.”
Of course she knew. In a world carved by power and class, her life had always been expendable before men like him. Caleb would not need an excuse to get rid of her.
Still,
she refused to accept it. Once she had tasted privilege, she could not endure returning to that precarious existence. Caleb would not let her go easily anyway.
Facing the razor edge of his stare, she dug her nails into her palms until they split and forced herself to speak. “I can tell you where they are. But you must promise me one thing.”
1/2
“What?”
“Divorce Sydney. Marry me.”
He let out a low, humorless laugh, his tongue pressing against his teeth.
“Penelope, do you really think you have the right to negotiate with me?” he asked coldly. “If you refuse, fine. Stay here. When you finally feel like talking, I will come back.”
“Good.” Her heart sank, but her expression remained steady. She had to gamble one last time. “Then you will never see her again. She is the daughter of a narcotics officer, isn’t she?”
Halfway out the door, Caleb whipped his head back. Her gamble was successful.
Penelope clenched her hand. “When that family came to adopt her, I overheard the old crone and one of her men. They said everything her parents had done would fall back on her a thousandfold.
“When the drug lord is released from prison, they will let him cut down his enemy’s daughter with his own hands.”
Caleb’s breath caught, taut with fury and disbelief. He decided to test the truth in her words. “Are you certain?”
He had tracked the timing of Precious‘ parents‘ deaths. It had aligned exactly with Brimcrest City’s largest drug bust in years. The entire trafficking ring had been sentenced to 20 years. Because of the case’s severity, there had been no reductions.
2/2
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 157
Chapter 157
If what Penelope said was true, at least Precious was still alive.
“Caleb, at this point, I have no reason to lie to you.”
Penelope wasn’t lying. When that little girl had been taken away, everyone assumed she had been adopted by a wealthy family and would live a good life. Only Penelope had lain awake all night, too thrilled to sleep–for it was no blessing. It was a death sentence.
She caught the flash of tension and dread on Caleb’s face. “You must have heard what methods those traffickers use. You can’t bear to divorce Sydney, but you’re willing to let the owner of that pendant die?
“If you divorce Sydney, at worst she becomes a divorced woman. But if you don’t, the pendant’s owner will probably end up a corpse. Maybe she already has.”
“I’ll ask you one more time.” His voice was taut, his eyes drilling into hers. “Are you sure you know which family adopted her?”
“I only know the city.” Penelope did not dare lie. A city was enough. With that, he could narrow the search quickly.
Caleb lowered his gaze for a moment. When he looked up again, his decision was made. “As long as I divorce her and marry you. That’s the deal?”
“Of course.”
As long as she became a daughter–in–law of the Hampton family, she had countless ways to secure that seat for life.
Sydney sat in her car, her mind elsewhere, as darkness crept across the sky. At last, she started the engine and drove back to Haven.
There was still time. She would find a way.
When she parked in front of her building, she checked the clock. There were less than three hours until Alan’s flight landed with Eliana. His network was no weaker than the Hampton family’s. That thought steadied her. She shut off the engine, picked up her bag, and stepped out.
“Syd.” The familiar voice stopped her just as she reached the building.
She turned, belatedly.
Caleb stood by a dark car. He looked calm and composed.
Relief washed over her, and her mind raced as she spoke. “When did you get here? Sorry, I was lost in thought and didn’t see you,”
How could she bring up Tiffany? Knowing Caleb, he would probably help if she asked directly. But she could not gamble, not even a little.
1/2
He lowered his gaze to her. Her hair was damp, her face pale and luminous, eyes wet and uncertain beneath long lashes that cast trembling shadows. He had rarely seen her like this. In that instant, a dangerous illusion stirred within him.
It was as if all he had to do was pull her into his arms and offer warmth and comfort, and she would quietly follow him home–back to being the gentle, accommodating wife of the Hampton family.
Upon seeing her like this, a tight net seemed to close around his chest. Words caught in his throat, stubbornly refusing to form.
While he struggled for phrasing, he shrugged off his coat and draped it over her shoulders. “What happened to you? Why are you like this?”
“I…” Sydney had rehearsed her opening. “I need your help with something.”
“Good. I need to talk to you too. You first.”
“No, you first.”
The words left both their mouths simultaneously.
She pressed her lips together. “Go ahead.”
It would be easier to speak after him.
He returned to his car, brought out a clean, soft towel, and carefully began drying her wet hair.
“Syd,” Caleb started. “Let’s get a divorce.”
He said it.
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 158
Chapter 158
For a moment, Sydney’s mind went blank. That sentence from Caleb would have sounded routine any other time. But here and now, it struck her off guard.
“Don’t worry. It’s not a real divorce.” He had already made the promise to Penelope.
He gripped Sydney’s shoulders, leaned slightly closer, and whispered, “Just a staged divorce for a while. We don’t even need to file papers.”
Sydney collected her scattered thoughts, her tone cool. “A real divorce would be fine too.”
Since he raised the issue, she no longer needed to honor her contract with Adeline.
“No.” His rejection was immediate and firm. Once divorce papers were signed, he would lose her for good. He could not allow that.
Even now, he had no idea how he would explain things if he ever found the real Precious. Maybe she had already married. In that case, all he could do was provide financial support and arrange protection to keep her safe from traffickers.
The thought brought a strange, guilty sense of relief. He refused to dwell on why. Instead, he tightened his hold on Sydney’s shoulders, his gaze steady as his voice softened. “Syd, all I need is for you to go along with it. Just act divorced in front of Penelope.”
Fearing misunderstanding, he added solemnly, “Believe me. I have my reasons. The only Mrs. Hampton in my heart is you. It has always been you.‘
Sydney froze, caught off guard. She was not hesitating about agreeing. She simply didn’t know which way to turn. Between him and Adeline, there was no trace of a mother–and–son bond. One demanded she act divorced. The other demanded she act loving.
Caleb’s brows drew together in anxiety at her silence. “Sydney, please. I’m begging you, alright?”
He was begging for the sake of another woman.
Sydney lifted her head, glanced at him, and gave her answer. “Fine. I’ll agree.”
She agreed but didn’t speak the truth. There was no need to act. They were already divorced.
Relief softened his expression. She opened her mouth to speak. “I want to-”
The universe intervened. His phone rang again. He answered and left in a rush, leaving her no chance to speak.
Sydney thought maybe it was for the best. The whole situation reeked of Penelope’s schemes. If Caleb could fake a divorce for her, there was no guarantee he would help Tiffany.
Her eyes dropped as she rode the elevator upward, unsettled. When the doors slid open, Julian was the first to see her pale, shaken face.
Beside him, Yoyo slipped free of the leash and bounded over, wagging furiously.
1/2
“Caleb upset you again? You look like hell.”
Sydney scooped up Yoyo and stepped out, avoiding his gaze. “He wants me to play along with a fake divorce.” Since that night when she first sensed something off between them, she had been unconsciously avoiding him. Julian acted as if he hadn’t noticed and wore a faint, careless smile. “Even the Ninja Turtles could learn patience from you.”
Her mind was consumed with worry over Tiffany, leaving no energy to spar with him. She rubbed Yoyo’s head, handed the leash back to Julian, and turned to head home.
“Something else happened, didn’t it?” His voice, suddenly sharp and cutting, stopped her in her tracks.
Her back stiffened. She hesitated. Should she tell him? If it were not a last resort, she would never have turned to him.
But she could not bear imagining how desperate Tiffany must be, alone in custody.
“Julian, can you help her? Tiffany’s been falsely accused and detained,” she uttered.
2/2
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 159
Chapter 159
Julian’s dark eyes locked on hers. “Caleb wouldn’t even agree to this?”
“I haven’t asked him yet,” Sydney replied.
“Then why ask me?”
Sydney froze. Only then did she realize she still trusted Julian more than anyone else. She had spoken without weighing her words.
Seeing his unchanged, distant expression, she clenched her palm. “If you don’t want to, then forget it.”
If he refused, no one could force him.
Back in her apartment, her gaze stayed fixed on the clock. She stared until her eyes burned and emotions reached a breaking point, then suddenly grabbed her phone and dialed Alan.
The call connected. The plane had landed safely.
Her voice rushed out, a mix of shock and relief. “Alan, did Johnson pick you up? I need to ask you for a favor-”
“Syd.” His voice was breathless, urgent. “The flight landed early. We took a cab ourselves. There was an accident on the way. Eliana is badly hurt, and we’re headed to the hospital now.”
So this was what they meant by, “When it rains, it pours.”
Sydney shot up from the couch. “And you? Are you okay? What about her? Does she need—”
“I’m fine,” he cut her off, knowing her too well. “Don’t worry. Don’t come. By the time your visa’s sorted, she’ll likely be discharged.‘
“But-”
“Do as I say. When we return, you can come see her at the house.”
“Alright.” She forced herself to calm down. He was right. She couldn’t leave immediately anyway. “If either of you need anything, call me anytime.”
Most assumed Alan was nagged by his wife, but Sydney knew better. His wife rarely controlled him. He loved her. Now was not the time to add to his burden. She hung up quietly.
‘But Tiffany…‘ Sydney felt on the verge of breaking. She paced the apartment, phone in hand, anxiety clawing at her.
Who else could she turn to? Bruce? No. He was a genuine rich heir, but the real power in his family lay with his friend, the Sterling heir.
In the end, the only one capable of intervening was Julian.
Her heart was torn with indecision as she stopped at the entryway and dug her nails into her palm. She knew she should go to him. Still, panic clouded her thoughts.
1/2
Meanwhile, Victor’s patience snapped, and he called her.
“Still haven’t made up your mind?” His voice slid into a mocking warning. “Keep hesitating, and I can’t guarantee what might happen to your dear friend.”
“I’ve made up my mind!” Her voice cracked, spilling out before she could stop it.
Victor laughed. “Then hurry up and-”
She cut him off and hung up. She had decided to go and beg Julian.
Sydney couldn’t hesitate any longer. She yanked open her door, strode across the hall, and pressed his doorbell. It was four in the morning. She braced herself for silence, for no answer.
Almost immediately, the door opened, as if he had been waiting.
Julian stood in a loose dark robe, the foyer light carving his features into sharp relief. His jaw was knife–edged, his eyes deep and unfathomable, watching her with a faint, detached gaze. He did not speak, merely waited.
The air around him radiated authority, dominance carried to its absolute edge.
Sydney’s fingers trembled at her sides. She lifted her head and summoned every ounce of courage. “Julian, you must have at least a little interest in me, right?”
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 160
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by
Chapter 160
Sydney knew that asking for help required her to adopt the posture of a supplicant. She had to offer something the other person would deem worth their while.
For Adeline, who wanted the divorce kept secret, she could comply and prolong the concealment as needed.
For Caleb, whose mind was never on their hollow marriage, she could cooperate and let him continue with Penelope in peace.
However, Julian was different. Before coming here, she had thought long and hard. In the end, all she could offer was herself.
She was gambling that the look he had given her on Alan’s birthday night had not been imagined. Gambling that Julian, who had raised her like a sister for nine years, had now, on another whim, developed a man’s interest in her. Or perhaps it was just lust.
She had poured everything into marrying Caleb. She dared not hope to ever become Julian’s proper partner.
Thus, when his expression flickered with surprise, she lowered her gaze and whispered, “Julian, I can be your mistress. I’ll be obedient. You just have to save Tiffany. Please.”
She did not dare meet his eyes.
In the silence that followed, her heart thudded painfully against her throat, her fingers trembling uncontrollably. If she had misjudged him, she could already imagine his scorn.
If her gamble failed, he might laugh at her for reaching beyond her station or look down his nose and ask coldly, “What
gave you the illusion I would ever want a lovesick fool like you?”
Nonetheless, Tiffany was suffering because of her. A few barbs, a little humiliation–those were nothing in comparison. If she miscalculated, she would accept it.
Julian’s gaze dropped. It lingered on her trembling fingers and bare feet. His brows tightened, almost imperceptibly. He opened the shoe cabinet, pulled out a pair of new women’s slippers, and tossed them onto the floor. “Come in.”
Sydney stood frozen in confusion until his cold, cutting voice followed. “Go wash your feet.”
“Alright.”
She had almost forgotten he was a clean freak. She had walked barefoot from her apartment. Of course he could not tolerate it. Bending down, she slipped on the slippers without letting her dirty soles touch his spotless floor and stepped inside.
The apartment mirrored her own. She went straight to the guest bathroom, turned on the shower, and began washing her feet obediently without waiting for the water to warm.
The sound of water echoed. The half–closed glass door swung open.
She had just finished rinsing, set the showerhead back, and looked up at him uncertainly. After a moment’s hesitation, she asked, “Can you save Tiffany?”
1/2
She already half knew the answer but needed to hear it from him to feel secure.
Julian’s long, clean fingers rested on the door handle. His voice was unreadable. “Tiffany is that important? Important enough for you to sell yourself?”
The last time she had felt this humiliated was before the divorce, outside that private club in another city, when she overheard that Caleb’s heart belonged to his sister–in–law.
Or maybe this time was worse. But aside from Julian, there was no one else to turn to.
Her toes curled, her gaze wandering without anchor. “Yes. She’s that important.”
Tiffany had stayed by her side for eight years, through heartbreak and emotional turmoil. Tiffany had nothing, just like her, but she had never abandoned Sydney or once given up.
If not for Tiffany’s determination to save money quickly and escape Jouleston with Sydney, she would never have rushed into a dangerous case and given Victor his opening.
“And if I refuse?” Julian’s dark eyes drilled into her, as if he wanted to strip her bare, see not only her body but her soul. “Who will you throw yourself at next?”
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 161
That one line crushed Sydney’s dignity underfoot.
In truth, she would not yield. If pushed far enough, she might crawl back to Caleb or Adeline. If she drained herself dry, she could still find a way to shield Tiffany.
But now, staring into Julian’s fathomless eyes, her stubborn streak flared. She would not lower her head,
Sydney let out a bitter chuckle. “Maybe Caleb. Or maybe Victor? Or if some old man takes a liking to me, I’d agree
to that too.”
The bathroom door slammed open, crashing against the wall and cutting her words off.
Julian strode in, scooped her up, and carried her to the living room sofa. Then he turned back, fetched a soft towel from the bathroom, and returned. His expression remained blank, but cold waves of displeasure radiated off him.
Sydney shrank back instinctively. He sat anyway, caught both her ankles in one hand, and laid her feet across his knee. Wrapping the towel around them, he dabbed away the water with deliberate, steady strokes. His long, well -boned fingers moved over her skin with an unexpected, almost beautiful precision.
Maybe because he had wiped her feet countless times when they were younger, Sydney did not feel nervous.
When he finished, he set the towel aside and glanced at her, unhurried. “Your period’s over?”
Her whole body stiffened. She had not expected him to cut to the point so quickly. She shook her head and replied in a rush, “Not yet.”
At her words, Julian unwrapped a cube of brown sugar and dropped it into the glass of hot water on the table. He stirred once, then handed it to her.
Sydney blinked, belatedly realizing where her thoughts had wandered. Flustered, she took the cup. “Thank you.”
“Drink it. Then sleep.” He stood, tossed a thin blanket onto her lap, and added coolly, “Cover up.”
She could not hold back. “And Tiffany?”
“Sleep.” Without waiting for her reaction, he stepped onto the balcony with his phone and slid the soundproof door shut behind him. That was his answer.
Sydney’s chest finally eased as she watched his tall, straight figure silhouetted against the dawn. She clutched the warm cup, drank in gulps, and let the rising drowsiness pull her under.
She did not think about whether he could truly save Tiffany.
Since childhood, she had seen him as capable of anything. Even so, worry gnawed at her dreams. Her sleep was
shallow and fitful.
Barely two hours later, she stirred awake.
The blanket against her cheek smelled of sandalwood. The familiarity made her frown before her eyes even
121
1/2
opened. One look around, and she froze fully awake.
She had fallen asleep in Julian’s bed.
She had come begging for help, yet ended up sleeping here as if it were nothing. Heat of embarrassment crawled over her as she slipped out from under the covers and padded toward the morning light spilling through the
windows.
The living room was empty. Instinct carried her to the kitchen, and she stopped in her tracks.
For the first time, she saw Julian–the man who never so much as touched a cup–standing at the stove, stirring a pot of soup.
Something about the scene dulled the sharp edge of his presence. The quiet domestic ease lent him a startling trace of husbandly warmth.
She stepped closer, ready to speak, until she realized he was on the phone. One hand held his cell, the other gently stirred the soup with a ceramic ladle, keeping it from sticking to the bottom.
“Relax, I didn’t stay up all night. Yes, yes, you’re right, staying up will kill me early. But let me remind you, if I die, no one will be here to look after you.” His tone was low, patient, coaxing, like he was soothing someone.
At that moment, Sydney realized something she had almost forgotten: Julian had a girlfriend.
Today’s Bonus Offer
GET IT NOW
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 162
Chapter 162
Ever since learning that Charlotte was not his girlfriend, Sydney had unconsciously ignored the possibility that there was still someone else. Not Charlotte–but another woman.
If that were true, what had her behavior last night meant?
Unease crept in at the thought.
Julian heard her shift and turned his head, glancing at her. He finished speaking into the phone with patient calm, then hung up and looked back.
“Your head’s clear now?” His voice held the same calm as always, as if nothing had happened.
Sydney froze as she realized that he meant last night. Remembering that he had a girlfriend, she suddenly did not know how to respond.
As for Tiffany, she assumed Julian had already handled it. If she tried to back out now, it would look like using him and discarding him. Worse, it might irritate him and leave Tiffany in an even more precarious position.
But if she didn’t back out…
She stayed silent, brows drawn, lips pressed tight.
Julian arched a brow at her hesitation. “So, how long are you planning to sell yourself to me?”
“I…” Sydney hesitated, then forced the words out. “I just remembered that you have a girlfriend.”
He paused, recalling what he had said in the underground garage. He had tossed the words out casually, but she had held onto them all this time.
He gave a brief, even laugh. “We broke up.”
Relief slid through her chest. She opened her mouth, but his unhurried drawl cut in.
‘And besides, even if I hadn’t, it would still be fair. I have a girlfriend, and you’re married. Sydney, if I can play the other man, why should you care?” His voice carried a faint mockery, a deliberate taunt.
Her breath caught. In that instant, she realized another overlooked fact. She knew they were divorced, but Julian did not. Perhaps it was for the best. For appearances‘ sake, he would keep their secret buried.
She dropped her gaze. “Then, how long do you want?”
“Depends on my mood.” Typical of him–capricious, unyielding.
She knew she had no room to negotiate, “Alright. Whenever you’re tired of me, just say the word.”
“I have one condition.” His voice cooled.
Standing by the table, Sydney looked up instinctively. “What is it?”
He leaned one hand on the table and closed the distance. His dark eyes locked onto hers with a force that stole
her breath. “From now on… Caleb is not allowed to touch you again. Not even a finger.”
1/2
Sydney was not surprised and agreed immediately. “Fine.”
She wouldn’t have needed him to say it anyway. That distance would remain between her and Caleb.
When Julian fell silent, she blinked. “That’s it?”
“Yeah.” His gaze flicked away, indifferent again. “You washed up yet?”
“No, I’ll just go…
He caught her wrist in a firm grip and tilted his jaw toward the master bathroom. “There are new toiletries in the drawer.”
“Okay.” She did not refuse. She had already offered herself, so there was no point in being delicate now.
After brushing and washing in the bathroom, she set her toothbrush down and noticed his black electric one beside it.
She lowered her gaze to her white toothbrush. One black, one white. Even the cups were paired. His deep blue, hers pale pink. After a pause, she lined them up neatly.
Shuffling out in slippers, she froze at the sight of the thick cheese omelet on the table.
For a heartbeat, she went blank.
As a child, she had hated boiled eggs. Breakfast had always been rolled omelets, because she loved them. Julian disliked cheese, yet each time he would eat it with a frown–he had silently allowed the chef to keep making it for her.
Now he acted as though he hadn’t noticed her daze. He pulled out a chair and sat. “Eat.”
Sydney couldn’t let go of her worry. “When can I go to the police station?”
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 163
Chapter 163
Julian glanced at the silver gleam of his watch. “They’re still finalizing the paperwork. By the time you finish. breakfast, you can take her home.”
“Today? I can bring her home today?” Sydney’s eyes lit up, erasing the shadow of last night’s despair. She had expected Julian to handle it eventually, but not this quickly.
He pulled out a chair, set a bowl of soup in front of her, and tapped the table lightly.
“Eat first.” His tone offered neither denial nor confirmation.
“Alright.” She sat beside him, spoon in hand. The soup was warm, while the omelet was soft and rich with cheese.
Eight years apart, under different roofs, had changed them both. Julian cooking breakfast? She never would have imagined it.
After eating, Sydney headed straight to the police station to bring Tiffany home. Julian had already arranged everything.
By the time Sydney arrived, Sterling Corp.’s chief attorney had just completed the formalities. Within minutes, the police released her.
When Tiffany emerged, she looked unusually disheveled. Since starting work, she had always been immaculate, every inch the poised lawyer. Now her makeup was streaked, and her glossy waves tangled.
Sydney’s eyes blurred red. She rushed forward, hugging her tightly and murmuring, “Tiff! I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”
“Hey, what are you doing? I’m fine.” Tiffany eased her away and laced their hands together with a grin. “Let’s go home. God, I need a shower.”
The more Tiffany brushed it off, the heavier Sydney’s guilt grew.
On the drive back, Tiffany noticed immediately. “If you feel that guilty, why don’t you transfer me 100,000 or 200,000 dollars?”
“Alright.” At the next red light, Sydney reached for her phone, ready to make the transfer.
Tiffany laughed and snatched it away. “Babe, remember the first time we met?”
Sydney blinked and eased the accelerator as the light turned green. “I do.”
“Then if we’re keeping score, shouldn’t I be the one transferring you 200,000 or 300,000 dollars?”
That memory had never left her. Time had only sharpened it.
Back then…
Tiffany had grown up in Jouleston, in a cramped 320–square–foot house on the outskirts, four people waiting on
1/2
demolition money.
She studied until dawn and burned herself out for scholarships to claw her way into Jouleston’s elite high school, a place swarming with prodigies and the wealthy.
She was pretty, well–developed, but embarrassingly poor. Her faded uniform smelled of detergent, her white canvas shoes had yellowed at the seams, and her bangs were unevenly cut by her own scissors.
The boys barely glanced at her, while the girls sharpened their tongues, mocking her relentlessly.
The day she met Sydney, Tiffany was in the girls‘ bathroom, cornered and hurling curses back at her tormentors. -spoiled rich girls.
One grabbed the janitor’s mop bucket, ready to dump filthy water on her. That’s when Sydney stepped out of a locked stall and “accidentally” tripped the girl. The bucket tipped and soaked the ringleader. The group, furious, turned on both of them.
It was not Tiffany’s first beating, nor Sydney’s. But it was the first time someone was beaten with her.
Sydney smirked faintly at the memory. They shared a quiet smile. “Fine. We’ll call it even.”
“I saw that lawyer earlier. He was from Sterling Corp.” Tiffany recognized most of the big names in the legal world. Her eyes narrowed. “You asked Julian for help?”
Sydney’s grip tightened on the wheel, but she forced herself to nod. “Yeah.”
“Why are you so nervous?” Tiffany noticed the change immediately, suspicion edging her tone. “You didn’t do anything weird for me, did you?”
“No!”
Today’s Bonus Offer
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 164
Chapter 164
Sydney denied it without hesitation. She had no way of knowing how long Julian’s fleeting interest would last. For all she knew, he could tell her to leave in a few days. There was no reason to say anything that might make Tiffany worry.
She changed the topic. “Will this affect your job?”
“No.” Tiffany shook her head, then added, “You know, Julian might seem cold and ruthless, but he’s meticulous when handling things. He already had Sterling Corp.’s lawyer call my boss and make it clear this was just his cousin stirring up trouble, nothing to do with me.”
In business, everyone was shrewd. That call had not only cleared her name but also implied a subtle connection to the Sterling family. When she got her phone back from the police, her partners practically tumbled over themselves with concern, all but asking outright what her relationship with Julian was.
Back at their building, they ran into a familiar face as they stepped out of the elevator.
Raymond had just come from Julian’s place. The gold–rimmed glasses softened the edge in his gaze. “Are you alright?”
The question was clearly not for Sydney.
Sydney blinked, caught off guard. Since when were the two of them familiar?
Tiffany’s tone was cool. “I’m fine.”
She tugged Sydney along, ready to pass by. But as they brushed shoulders, Raymond suddenly lifted his arm and pressed his palm to Tiffany’s forehead. The touch stopped her in her tracks.
His hand was as cool as ever. He frowned and glanced at Sydney. “She’s running at least 38 degrees.”
“Yeah.” Sydney had already noticed in the car that Tiffany must have caught a chill at the station last night.” Once we’re home, I’ll give her some medicine.”
The house was always stocked with basics. It would be enough for a simple cold.
Surprisingly, Raymond wasn’t about to let them leave so easily. Or rather, he wasn’t about to let Tiffany go.
Only then did Sydney realize there was something between them she didn’t know.
At that moment, the door behind them clicked open. Julian had changed into a tailored suit. He tilted his chin toward her and commanded, “Come here.”
The tone was like summoning a dog or Yoyo. But Sydney had already accepted his help. She knew her place. A mistress did not argue,
Her gaze flicked between Tiffany and Raymond, catching the faint current between them. Sensible enough, she obeyed.
Before stepping inside, she told Tiffany, “Call me when you’re done talking.”
1/2
The door shut, and the elevator turned quiet again. Tiffany stepped back, her reflection in the gleaming doors a picture of dishevelment. The man beside her remained unshakably composed, all elegance and calm.
Raymond spoke first. “Did it scare you?”
He meant the ordeal.
Tiffany smiled faintly. “No.”
She had never been afraid. She had known Sydney would find a way.
Raymond had never encountered that kind of resolute conversation with anyone else. He studied her, and his frown deepened. “Still keeping everyone at arm’s length?”
Tiffany had not slept, and her fever pulled her down. Her body felt heavy and her mind was foggy, yet she looked at him and asked almost without thinking, “Can you marry me?”
The flash of surprise on his face told her everything. She had known the answer for three years.
Men of his class might toy with a girl from the city’s edge, but marry her? Never. Otherwise, their ancestors would be rattling in their coffins.
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 165
Tiffany gave a detached smile. “See, Mr. Hutton, we were never from the same world. You know it, and so do I-
“1
“Give me some time,” Raymond’s voice cut in, low and steady.
Tiffany narrowed her eyes, trying to clear the feverish haze clouding her mind. “What did you just say?”
Inside the apartment, Sydney slipped off her shoes at the door and glanced at the man across the room.
“Thank you for helping with Tiffany.” Relief softened her voice.
Julian’s mouth curved, barely a smile. “Thank me? Wasn’t that what you earned?”
Heat crept up Sydney’s neck, and she lowered her gaze. She understood perfectly. He meant her body had paid the price.
Before embarrassment could take hold, Julian placed a document on the dining table. “Sign this.”
She stepped closer and glanced down. Bold black letters spelled: Contract of Servitude.
Her head snapped up to meet his steady eyes.
“I have to protect my interests somehow, don’t I?” he said flatly.
“Fine.” Sydney reminded herself that Julian was a businessman, first and foremost.
His gaze pressed on her as she skimmed the contract line by line, then quickly scrawled her name.
He set a stamp pad beside her. “Handprint.”
‘Meticulous, as always,‘ she thought.
Pressing her fingertip into the ink, she muttered under her breath, “I’m not going anywhere anyway.”
Julian’s lips curved with meaning. “And if one day you decide you’ve gotten over your tantrum and are ready to dive back into your love–brained devotion, could I possibly stop you?”
He was pointing straight at three years ago, when she had insisted on marrying Caleb.
Sydney knew there was no way to explain. To him, trading marriage for a sliver of freedom would always look like blind infatuation.
“Not anymore.” She pushed the contract back across the table. “Signed and stamped. That’s enough, right?”
She hadn’t read the fine print, but she noticed it was light on restrictions. There were no clauses about tracking her whereabouts or rules about keeping their affair secret.
Perhaps those were simply assumed. The basic etiquette of being a mistress was too obvious to write down.
1/2
As she stood, Julian’s brows lifted faintly. “Leaving already?”
Her nerves jumped, mind spinning where it shouldn’t. Last night, her focus had been all on saving Tiffany, so she hadn’t been flustered. Now, her earlobes burned red.
“Tiffany’s waiting for me…”
“What’s the rush?” He rose and closed the distance with swift strides.
The faint scent of sandalwood surrounded her. Sydney stumbled back, nearly falling onto the sofa, as his arm swept around her.
His hand clamped firmly at her waist, just like that night in the car. The only difference was the thin layer of fabric between them. Still, the air felt no less charged.
Julian’s grip on her waist tightened as he leaned closer.
Sydney’s heart slammed against her ribs, her voice trembling. “I’m still on my period.”
He smirked faintly. “I don’t forget things.”
Lowering his gaze, he studied her small face—the nervous flutter of her lashes, the delicate slope of her nose, the soft curve of her mouth, pink and full, begging to be kissed.
The skin under his palm was just as soft. He kneaded lightly, and his voice dropped to a coaxing murmur. “Kiss
me.”
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 166
Sydney’s narrow waist was trapped in Julian’s hand, toyed with at will. It was a sensation unlike anything she had ever felt. Her entire body, down to her toes, stiffened under his touch.
His words struck her ears, leaving her dazed. She blinked at him. “Huh?”
Her clear eyes, wide with confusion, glistened like water and ignited a desire in him to press further.
He patted her hip lightly. “I said, kiss me.
This time she heard him. Instantly, her cheeks flamed, like a shrimp dropped into boiling water.
Julian was dressed in a suit and tie, immaculate, composed, the very picture of cold restraint. No one would imagine those hands capable of such teasing.
She remembered the agreement they had made the night before. There was no room for coyness. Steeling herself, she looped her arms around his shoulders and leaned toward his thin lips. The closer she came, the hotter her ears burned.
He remained still, sovereign and unyielding, watching her submission. Just as her lips were about to meet his, he lifted his hand at her waist and pulled her higher against him.
His dark eyes narrowed. He bent slightly and pressed a restrained, almost measured kiss to her chin.
Summoning the courage to kiss him was one thing. Actually being kissed was another.
A spark shot through Sydney, from chin to toes. She froze, eyes squeezed shut. His mouth pressed harder, then teased her with a playful bite.
Julian’s lips brushed her ear, his voice hoarse, heavy with restraint. “When you begged me last night, this wasn’t the attitude you had.”
The house was soundproofed. In the silence, all Sydney could hear was her own pounding heartbeat, each breath sharp and uneven.
Suddenly, the doorbell shattered the moment.
Julian’s brow creased in irritation. In his arms, Sydney seized the chance to escape, shoving him and blurting, ‘ It must be Tiff. She must be done talking with Mr. Hutton.”
Julian caught her hastily tied ponytail and tugged her back. “Wait.”
“What?” she asked, startled.
He held out his hand, palm open. “Phone.”
Sydney pressed her lips together but handed it over obediently. His long, knuckled fingers tapped through her WhatsApp, doing something quickly before returning it. His tone was cool, like issuing a command. “Go on.”
She barely glanced, snatched her phone back, and bolted for the door.
As expected, Tiffany waited outside.
”
1/2
Guilty as a thief, Sydney dragged her across the hall into her apartment, slammed the door, and finally exhaled. Only then did she glance at her phone.
Her WhatsApp now had a new friend. Julian had removed himself from her blacklist and pinned his name as her only top chat.
“Why’s your face so red?” Tiffany, feverish but sharp–eyed, noticed immediately.
Sydney tugged her to the sofa, checked her wrist for a pulse, and lied without hesitation. “It’s too hot. Julian had the heat on too high.”
“A man like him?” Even sick, Tiffany’s voice was tinged with mischief. “Don’t tell me he’s compensating?”
“No.” The denial slipped out too quickly. The next second, Sydney realized her mistake.
Tiffany’s eyes lit with gossip. “Then how would you know he’s not?”
Sydney couldn’t answer, because she had felt it. She had known it just moments ago.
Flustered, Sydney stood and busied herself in the kitchen, heating muffins and boiling medicine. She fed Tiffany, gave her the dose, then shoved her straight into bed before she could ask another question.
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 167
Chapter 167
With Tiffany still running a fever, Sydney stayed home and worked remotely instead of going to the lab.
By noon the next day, Tiffany’s fever had finally subsided. Only then did Sydney leave for work. The moment she opened her door, she saw Julian waiting by the elevator.
He stood tall, and the sunlight streaming through the glass behind him softened some of his sharp edges. At the sound of her footsteps, he glanced her way. “Going to the clinic?”
“The lab.” She closed the door behind her. The clinic had begun its New Year break, leaving her free to focus entirely on the research project.
They went downstairs together. Ever since the night before last, a faint nervousness clung to her whenever she was near him.
They had once been estranged like siblings, constantly at odds. Now, she was his mistress. The leap between those roles was staggering.
When they stepped out of the elevator, Sydney’s shoulders eased slightly. She headed toward her car, only to stop cold when she saw the rear tire completely flat. It must have been punctured somewhere along the way.
She checked the time. There was no way to fix it and still make the afternoon’s important research meeting.
A Bentley rolled up, and the back window slid down to reveal Julian’s sharp, flawless features. “Get in.”
Sydney hesitated. She could still call a cab and make it in time. But Julian’s cool voice cut in, “We signed a
contract.”
She remembered the clause that bound her to him at his beck and call.
With no choice, she opened the door and slid inside. “I know. I just need time to adjust.”
‘Brother… Mistress…‘ She needed space to bridge the two.
Julian studied the way she shrank from him. “Adjust to what?”
“Adjusting to being a mistress.”
He held out his hand. “Give me your hand.”
After a pause, she placed hers in his, holding herself rigid.
Julian frowned faintly. “Did you hold Caleb’s hand like this? I’m holding your hand, not chopping it off. What’s with the nerves?”
She faltered and lowered her head. She and Caleb had never held hands this way. At events, she had always taken his arm, never palm to palm.
The last time she had held hands with a man, it had been Julian. But then, she had been a child. He had walked her everywhere, her hand firmly in his. He had been the brother, she the little sister.
Unlike now. After all these years, it was natural to be nervous. She said nothing, but he could feel the soft hand
1/2
in his palm slowly, haltingly relaxing.
She was adjusting to their new reality.
As Julian toyed with her fingers, his gaze drifted to the empty space beside them, wide enough for two more. He smirked faintly before he snapped his wrist sharply.
Sydney, still trying not to tense, was yanked forward and collided with him.
“Still nervous?” He lifted her chin, his tone a blend of warning and promise. “I don’t have much patience. Keep this up, and I won’t hesitate to skip straight to the end.”
2/2
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 168
Chapter 168
Sydney felt the weight of his hand on hers, her other palm braced against his leg. She understood now that their balance had changed. In this relationship, Julian held all the power.
She nodded. “I know.”
The car eased to a smooth stop in front of Sterling Corp.’s headquarters. A knock tapped against the tinted window. It was Charlotte.
Even though the privacy glass separated them, Sydney instinctively pulled free from his grip and slid back into her seat. Meeting Julian’s sharp, displeased gaze, she explained primly, “We’re at work.”
There should be clear lines between business and personal.
Julian let it drop and stepped out with the cool, aloof poise that came as naturally as breathing. The man who had pressed her into his arms moments before was gone.
Charlotte had been about to speak when her eyes flicked past him, catching sight of Sydney in the back seat. Surprised, she blinked. “Syd, heading to R&D?”
“Yes,” Sydney said, nodding.
Charlotte smiled, then turned to Julian. “Mr. Sterling, where were you this morning? The shareholder meeting had to be rescheduled.”
Something about their exchange struck Sydney as odd. A secretary should not speak so casually or bluntly to her employer.
Julian shot her a cool glance. “Who’s the boss here? You or me?”
‘Cutting, but typical,‘ Sydney thought.
Charlotte seemed unfazed. She laughed it off and redirected her attention to Sydney. “What do you think, Syd? Is your brother’s work ethic acceptable?”
Sydney, with no ground to stand on, dared not respond.
Luckily, the entryway remained quiet. She seized the moment, slipping from the car. “There’s a meeting in R&D. I should go.”
She bolted.
Sydney arrived just in time, steadying herself before diving into work.
At first, Henry had assumed she was too young to lead the Medicine team. But after weeks of collaboration, he recognized her skill and authority. Her subordinates would benefit enormously from following her guidance.
By the meeting’s end, after hearing her latest proposal, he said with genuine respect, “Dr. Wilson, it looks like you really might develop an anti–cancer drug with zero side effects. At your age, such depth in medicine is rare.”
1/2
Sydney smiled lightly. “Not might. I will.”
Her certainty silenced the room. Faces shifted in shock, doubt, even scorn.
Zero side effects? That was a bold claim–maybe too bold. Many assumed Henry’s praise had been polite. And here she was, stating it as fact.
Catching the unwavering light in her eyes, Henry nodded again. “Then I’ll await the results.”
Had she said this at the start, he might have dismissed it outright. But anyone who had engaged with her professionally even once would recognize the truth: her expertise ran far deeper than her resume suggested. She was no ordinary Jouleston University Medicine graduate.
When the meeting ended, Sydney stepped into the hall and saw Charlotte waiting.
Charlotte had brought snacks, handing them out for others before approaching with a cup of coffee. Offering it with a warm smile, she said, “I’m free tonight. Want to grab dinner together after work?”
Sydney thanked her but shook her head. “Sorry, not tonight. I need to get home early.”
Tiffany was still recovering, and she wanted to be there for her.
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 169
Sydney saw no reason to cozy up to Charlotte. Perhaps her refusal had been too blunt, because the ever–smooth Charlotte’s expression stiffened for the first time.
Nearby, others glanced over.
Charlotte recovered quickly and said lightly, “Alright, next time then.”
“Sure.” Sydney inclined her head, and Charlotte soon departed.
As Sydney approached the lab, mocking voices drifted from the common area.
“Wow, she really thinks she’s something. Even Ms. Lindstrom doesn’t matter?”
“Exactly.” The second voice was familiar–it belonged to a member of her own team. “Does she not realize who Ms. Lindstrom is? Eight or nine times out of ten, she’ll be the future Mrs. Sterling.”
Sydney froze mid–step.
The voices continued.
“If you ask me, your whole department had better stop wasting your time. If she dares to offend the future CEO’s wife, your group will be shut down any day now.”
Sydney’s face hardened. She strode over, dropped her coffee on their desk with a heavy thud, and said coldly, “If your idea of research is currying favor and bowing to power, you might as well disband now!”
They were grown men, but their expressions changed uneasily under her scathing reprimand. By the time they recovered, Sydney had already entered the lab and buried herself in work.
Henry arched a brow. “Don’t you think she’s right? Then get moving. You’re all men. Being left in the dust by a girl isn’t a good look, is it?”
Sydney ignored their muttered protests, immersing herself completely. The sooner she made a breakthrough, the more lives she could save and more families she could give hope to. And for herself, it meant leverage-
freedom.
After work, Sydney detoured to pick up Tiffany’s favorite dish for dinner. She excelled at medicine and could handle most things, but cooking was hopeless. As a student, she had survived on pasta three meals a day. After marrying Caleb, she had hoped cooking might bridge the distance between them. One disastrous meal later, she had given up.
Nancy had gently urged her to leave the kitchen alone. Sydney was better at prescribing medicinal diets than preparing them, and household meals were best left to staff.
That night, Sydney sat with Tiffany until she finished both the food and her medicine, then began clearing the table. She gathered the remaining trash, tied up the bags, and prepared to take them downstairs. She had showered already, now dressed only in a nightgown.
1/2
Tiffany, still hoarse from her fever, called out, “At least throw on a coat. Don’t get sick too.”
Sydney disliked the dark underground garage, so she always carried the trash to the bins on the first floor.
Outside, the winter wind howled, sharp enough to cut through bone. She slipped into a long down coat, grabbed the trash bags, and opened her door only to halt.
A woman was standing at Julian’s door. Even from behind, Sydney recognized Charlotte.
Charlotte tapped in the code with practiced ease, pushed the door open,
and walked in.
Sydney slammed her own door shut. A strange discomfort twisted inside her.
It was his home, and Charlotte came and went freely. The sensation was sharp and perverse, like someone had sliced a lemon and let the juice trickle into her mouth, slide down her throat, and spread through her chest. Her nerves burned with the bitter tang.
Today’s Bonus Offer
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 170
The law firm had granted Tiffany a week of paid sick leave. For once, she wasn’t working overtime.
Curled on the sofa, she focused on her game when the sound of the door closing pulled her gaze up. “What’s wrong?”
Sydney shook her head. “Nothing.”
Tiffany’s eyes flicked to the trash bags in Sydney’s hands. Without looking away from the screen, And the garbage? Aren’t you taking it out?”
“I suddenly feel too tired. I don’t feel like going downstairs.”
she asked, ”
Sydney set the bags by the shoe cabinet, shrugged off her down coat, and flopped onto the couch. She didn’t want to run into Charlotte again, especially not like that.
Julian might have said there was nothing special between him and Charlotte, but the latter seemed to be special in every situation she entered.
Sydney hugged her tablet, scrolling through variety shows to chase away the sour feeling in her chest. Casually, she asked, “What are you doing for New Year’s?”
“I’ll go home for a couple of days tomorrow.” Tiffany’s expression darkened. She shut down her game and flopped onto Sydney’s arm. “If only your birthday were during New Year’s. Then I’d have the perfect excuse not to go back.”
Her birthday was a month away, on February 9.
Sydney patted her head. “It’s fine. If it’s bad back home, just come back quickly. Keep me company instead.”
Across the hall, in 2202, Julian heard movement from his study. He stepped into the living room, and his darkened at the sight of an unexpected figure in the dining area.
“You’ve completely lost your sense of boundaries, haven’t you?” he jibed.
Charlotte shot him a playful look. “Blame yourself for setting such an easy password.”
gaze
His codes always included 0209. She had never understood what it meant–not his birthday, not any date she recognized.
Julian’s expression remained unreadable as he strode to the entryway, opened the door, and reset his lock.
Charlotte blinked. “You’re really going to guard against me now?”
He didn’t answer. “Talk business.”
“I…” She forced down her temper and set a food bag on the table. “From your favorite place. I drove all the way to the south side to get it.”
She opened the containers one by one as she spoke.
Julian had been about to dismiss her, but when his eyes landed on the pork ribs and the crisp roast pork, his
1/2
brows lifted slightly. “Fine. It’s late. Time for you to go.”
An eviction in record time.
Her smile faltered. “I came all this way.”
His tone was ice. “That’s the only reason I’m letting you walk out on your own.‘
“Julian.” Her brow furrowed, baffled. “Our families arranged a marriage, remember? Do you have to treat me this coldly?”
Years ago, Eloise had sealed their engagement. Charlotte had been overjoyed, but Julian had not cared. The most he had ever conceded was allowing her to join Sterling Corp. Even the secretary’s desk had been hers only because she had cried to Eloise.
At first, Julian had resisted. She didn’t know whatever bargain he might have struck with Eloise, but he had always been disciplined, clean, and free of scandal.
The only woman around him had been Charlotte. Yet after three years at his side, he remained so cold that she sometimes wondered whether he had no interest in women at all–or perhaps no interest in anyone.
Julian pulled out his phone, dialed someone, and said flatly, “You sure you want to keep wasting words?”
As she had headed upstairs, she had spotted a bodyguard waiting below. If Julian made that call, her exit would be humiliating.
She drew a deep breath. “Fine. I’ll leave.”
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 171
‘It’s fine,‘ Charlotte told herself. ‘I still have plenty of time.‘
As long as Julian kept no other woman by his side, she believed persistence would wear him down.
Tiffany, drowsy from her medicine, had already returned to bed. The living room was empty.
Sydney picked up her tablet, ready to retreat to her room and scroll mindlessly through variety shows.
Just as she rose, her phone lit up with a message.
Brother: [Come eat.]
She had always saved Julian’s contact as Brother. Even now, after he had dragged himself off her blacklist, she had forgotten to change it.
Sydney glanced at the clock. Charlotte had only gone inside five minutes ago. What was she supposed to do? Go be a third wheel?
She typed back: [Already ate.]
It was a lie. Tiffany was on a bland diet–no seafood, no seasoning–and Sydney had barely managed a few spoonfuls of soup with her.
Julian’s reply came instantly.
Brother: [Do I need to come get you?]
Even through the screen, she felt the cold, unyielding edge in his tone. Afraid he might actually appear at her door, she dropped her tablet, grabbed her phone, and hurried out.
Standing at his door, she hadn’t even reached for the bell when another message appeared.
Brother: [902079. Let yourself in.]
It was the code for the door. For a moment, she froze as her mind leapt. Was it the same way Charlotte had gotten his code? Was she just one of many women who knew it?
She forced the thought down, keyed in the numbers, and stepped inside, slipping into her own slippers at the entryway.
The dining table was set with all her favorite dishes, especially the pork ribs.
Julian emerged from the kitchen in a black striped lounge set, his tall frame relaxed, two glasses of juice in his
hands. He set one before her.
Sydney pressed her lips together. “Thank you.”
She unwrapped the disposable utensils and ate quietly, not meeting his eyes.
1/2
Julian lounged back and watched her for a long while. The corner of his mouth curved coldly. “You come all this way to eat, and this is the face I get?”
“No.” She shook her head quickly and picked up a piece of roast pork.
Before she realized it, she had eaten nearly all the ribs.
Julian’s gaze narrowed. “Didn’t you say you’d already eaten?”
She set her utensils down, at a loss for words. She couldn’t explain it. Ever since seeing Charlotte punch in his code earlier, a heavy, suffocating weight had pressed against her chest.
Julian’s brows drew tight, his dark eyes boring into her like he could strip away every thought.
Sydney stayed silent.
Suddenly, he rose, swept her off her chair, and set her on the table, forcing her to meet his eyes. “Tell me, princess. What exactly are you sulking about? Or is it that you only want dinner with that fake–divorced husband of yours?”
He looked irritated. Sydney didn’t know how to answer.
What right did she have? She was only his mistress. She had no claim to question him about Charlotte. And yet, she didn’t even understand what she felt jealous of.
Her feet dangled above the floor, making her feel unsteady. She turned her face away. “I told you. It’s nothing.”
The air thickened with tension.
Julian planted his hands on either side of her thighs and caged her in. “Want me to carry you to bed?”
Her mind leapt to the obvious meaning. She shook her head. “Next time, alright?”
Her period still had not fully passed.
The repeated refusals drew a sudden coldness over his face. He pulled back, jaw tight, and jerked his chin toward the door.
“Then leave.” His voice was cutting.
Today’s Bonus Offer
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 172
Sydney didn’t know why her eyes suddenly burned. She jumped down from the table and walked out without looking back.
Julian watched her go, her sudden flight striking him like a slap to the chest. The restless heat beneath his skin only intensified. When the front door slammed shut, he swung his long leg and sent a dining chair crashing to
the floor.
On December 29th, Tiffany left for home to celebrate the New Year.
After seeing her off, Sydney crawled back into bed for another round of sleep.
Half–dreaming, she remembered that Bruce and the others would gather at Julian’s for a housewarming. She had promised to go. But now she and Caleb were “fake divorced,” and Julian might not welcome a mistress showing up in front of his friends. Thus, she simply rolled over, buried herself deeper in her pillow, and fell back asleep.
The doorbell rang just as Sydney finished washing up near noon. She hurried to answer, phone in hand. “Jul—”
The word froze on her tongue. Something hollowed her chest, yet her smile remained. “Agatha! Happy New Year. What a surprise. Come in, come in.”
Agatha entered, her kindly face soft.
“Happy New Year, child. It’s the holiday, so I fried some food for you–meatballs and banana fritters,” she said warmly.
A sudden warmth bloomed in Sydney’s chest. “I thought you’d be busy with your grandson, so I planned to visit in a few days.”
“Oh, don’t even mention him.” Agatha feigned annoyance as she bustled about, tucking the food neatly into the fridge. “He’s too busy to care about me. I don’t even know if he’ll come home for New Year’s Eve.”
“He’s that busy?”
“Busy, aye!” She hesitated, then looked at Sydney with a hint of guilt. “This is my fault. When I tried to match you two, I didn’t realize he already had a girl he liked. These past few days, he’s been chasing after her, burning hot.”
“Ah?” Sydney smiled easily. “That’s wonderful! It means he finally gets what he wants. And you won’t have to worry about his marriage anymore.”
The matchmaking had never weighed heavily on her. The last time she went, she had only wanted to meet once so she could stop mentioning it. When she showed up and the man did not, she knew they had shared the same thought.
“Maybe so.” Agatha sighed, troubled, “The only thing is that I don’t know how the girl feels.”
1/2
“Why not?”
“I asked him to bring her home for me to meet. He refused. Said they’d just started dating and she’s still adjusting. He was afraid that bringing her home too soon would scare her off.”
Sydney couldn’t help thinking of what she had told Julian in his car–that she was still in her “adjustment period.” Still, their situations were hardly the same. That girl was a proper girlfriend. Sydney was nothing more
than a mistress hidden in the dark.
She smiled to comfort Agatha. “Young people have their own pace. Just wait, and he’ll bring his future wife home soon enough.”
“Hopefully he doesn’t push her away.” Agatha’s worry was clear. “That boy is hard–mouthed and soft–hearted. He could chase her off without realizing it.”
Sydney laughed softly. She thought of Julian again. He was indeed hard–mouthed, but his heart was anything
but soft.
Because it was nearly New Year’s, Agatha did not stay long. At the door, she extended one final invitation.” Sydney, why don’t you come to my house tomorrow night? Spend New Year’s Eve with us.”
Sydney knew Agatha feared she would spend the holiday alone. However, she had grown used to that long ago. She smiled. “No need. Let me wish you an early New Year. May all your wishes come true, and may you meet your granddaughter–in–law soon.”
After sending Agatha off, Sydney returned to find her refrigerator crammed full. She laughed softly. Before leaving the country, Eliana had stocked her up with food as well.
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 173
For the past two days, Sydney had been phoning Alan each morning and asking about Eliana. The recovery was going well. It had been a scare, but nothing serious.
She had just closed the refrigerator door when the doorbell rang again. Thinking Agatha had forgotten something, Sydney hurried to answer.
The moment the door cracked, Yoyo squeezed in and pressed insistently against her legs. Holding the dog in her arms, she glanced down the hall. It was empty. Across the way, Julian’s door remained firmly shut.
She rubbed Yoyo’s head. “Did he lock you out?”
“Woof, woof!”
After nuzzling her a few more times, Yoyo suddenly recalled something. It grabbed the hem of her skirt in its teeth and tugged her toward the hall.
She laughed helplessly. “Where do you want to take me?”
She hurried into her coat, snatched up her phone and bag, and followed.
Surprisingly, Yoyo did not wander. It went straight to Julian’s home. The dog sat squarely in front of the door, lifted its dark, gleaming eyes to her, then stared at the doorbell.
Yoyo was signaling her to press it.
Sydney lowered her gaze. “You can’t press it yourself?”
The dog seemed to understand. It jumped, straining, but its paws fell short of the bell.
Sydney froze, then realized that the one who had rung the bell at her own place earlier had not been Yoyo. She reached out and pressed the button.
A moment later, Julian opened the door with an indifferent expression. He rested one hand on the handle, his
stance casual.
“Forgot the code?” His voice was edged with frost.
“I’m not as close to you as Ms. Lindstrom.” The words slipped out before she could stop them.
His brow arched. He leaned down suddenly, circled her waist with his long arm, hauled her inside, and snapped
the door shut.
Julian pressed her against the wall, his hand firm at her waist, and lifted her onto her toes effortlessly. His voice dropped low. “You were angry last night because Charlotte has the code to my place?”
Sydney’s face flamed at how precisely he had cut to the truth. Forced so close, she dodged his burning stare. “I just think we aren’t that close.”
He bent lower, and their breaths tangled, “We lived under the same roof for nine years, and that isn’t close?”
The air was thick with something sharp and heavy.
1/2
“Then tell me, what counts as close?” he asked.
The question caught her. When she looked up, her eyes locked with his dark, fathomless eyes. Their faces were so near that his breath fanned across her cheek, his cedar scent wrapping tight around her.
She opened her mouth, only for him to cover it with his.
Sydney’s body went rigid, while her eyes flew wide. She almost forgot to breathe, staring at his long, dense lashes. Her heartbeat roared in her ears. She could not tell which was hers and which was his.
Seconds later, he pulled back, his nose brushing hers.
“This close enough?” His voice was husky.
She trembled. “I suppose…”
Julian smirked. “Suppose?”
The next instant, his kiss struck like a storm–fierce, urgent, and unrefined. It carried the raw hunger of a man who had endured too long and could no longer restrain himself.
One hand pinned her to him, the other cradled the back of her head, leaving her no room to pull away.
For Sydney, the sensation was completely foreign. She was trapped in his grip, her breath ragged, her body going slack under the intensity.
Then the doorbell shattered the moment, followed by voices drifting in from outside. Caleb was among them. They had come to visit Julian’s new home, and she was inside.
A jolt shot through her, and her already unsteady legs nearly gave way.
2/2
e te uvodu never
rung, intent on deepening the kiss.
Sydney shoved at his chest just enough to steal a breath. “Someone’s-”
His eyes darkened with desire. His hand slid upward on her waist, claiming her lips again.
“Ignore them.” His voice was husky and achingly seductive.
The bell rang again, louder this time. Impatient fists rapped on the door, and muffled voices followed.
“What’s going on? Did Jules forget we were coming?”
“No way.”
That was Caleb’s voice.
Panic shot through Sydney. Her gaze flicked to Julian. “It’s Caleb. They’re here-”
“So what?” He kissed her again, a flash of cold cruelty crossing his face. Tilting her chin, he pressed, “Afraid he’ll find out you’re cheating on your husband?”
“It’s not that-”
Humiliation stung sharply. Caleb was outside, ringing the bell, yet she was in her brother’s arms.
But Julian saw only fear of exposure. He stepped closer and enveloped her completely in his frame, his laugh sharp and merciless. “Tell me. Whose kisses are better, mine or his?”
She was dumbfounded. “That’s… What kind of question is that? I just feel-”
The sound of keys tapping on the keypad cut her off. Someone outside was entering the code, the numbers clicking quickly, almost to the last digit.
Sydney tried to bolt, but Julian caught her and forced her to meet his
gaze.
“Answer me,” he demanded sharply.
Her cheeks burned. Her heart pounded against her ribs. She bit down hard, then blurted, “You. Yours. You’re the best.”
She didn’t add that she had never kissed Caleb, that Julian had stolen her first kiss.
Apparently satisfied, he smirked. He released her, turned smoothly, and went to open the door.
Sydney bolted into the bathroom and locked the door behind her. She pressed her back to the cool wall and breathed hard as she tried to calm her racing pulse.
Julian opened the door. His gaze swept over the men outside, his tone casual. “Why so early?”
Bruce grinned. “We just wanted to meet your girlfriend early.”
1/2
Two nights ago, Julian had dropped a bomb in their group chat, hinting he finally had a girlfriend. They had come early, eager to catch a glimpse.
Bruce carried bags inside, then spun to gape at Julian. “Jules, your mouth…”
The others followed his gaze. A bold smear of lipstick stained Julian’s lips, a vivid trace of what had just happened.
Raymond raised a brow, flicking Julian a look. “No wonder you said we were early. She’s really here, isn’t she?”
Caleb didn’t blink. He had suspected the last time he saw Julian waiting downstairs like a man guarding something precious. With Julian’s looks, power, and ruthless persistence, no woman could resist him for long. His years without relationships had been by choice, not inability.
Still, Caleb’s curiosity lingered. What kind of woman could hold his attention?
He smiled faintly. “The same one you were waiting for last time?”
“Yeah.” Julian inclined his head and ignored the others.
Only then did he seem to notice, brushing his lips with his thumb. The smear came away red. He flicked his tongue over it and savored the taste.
Caleb understood immediately. Julian was serious.
“Better start planning a wedding banquet, then,” Caleb teased.
“Not so fast.” Julian shoved one hand into his pocket and tossed cold beers to each of them.
Bruce cracked open a can, gulped, and smirked. “Why not? Unless… what, Jules? You’ve gone and hooked up with a married woman?”
The bathroom door creaked open. Sydney stepped out, and those words froze her mind.
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 174
For the past two days, Sydney had been phoning Alan each morning and asking about Eliana. The recovery was going well. It had been a scare, but nothing serious.
She had just closed the refrigerator door when the doorbell rang again. Thinking Agatha had forgotten something, Sydney hurried to answer.
The moment the door cracked, Yoyo squeezed in and pressed insistently against her legs. Holding the dog in her arms, she glanced down the hall. It was empty. Across the way, Julian’s door remained firmly shut.
She rubbed Yoyo’s head. “Did he lock you out?”
“Woof, woof!”
After nuzzling her a few more times, Yoyo suddenly recalled something. It grabbed the hem of her skirt in its teeth and tugged her toward the hall.
She laughed helplessly. “Where do you want to take me?”
She hurried into her coat, snatched up her phone and bag, and followed.
Surprisingly, Yoyo did not wander. It went straight to Julian’s home. The dog sat squarely in front of the door, lifted its dark, gleaming eyes to her, then stared at the doorbell.
Yoyo was signaling her to press it.
Sydney lowered her gaze. “You can’t press it yourself?”
The dog seemed to understand. It jumped, straining, but its paws fell short of the bell.
Sydney froze, then realized that the one who had rung the bell at her own place earlier had not been Yoyo. She reached out and pressed the button.
A moment later, Julian opened the door with an indifferent expression. He rested one hand on the handle, his
stance casual.
“Forgot the code?” His voice was edged with frost.
“I’m not as close to you as Ms. Lindstrom.” The words slipped out before she could stop them.
His brow arched. He leaned down suddenly, circled her waist with his long arm, hauled her inside, and snapped
the door shut.
Julian pressed her against the wall, his hand firm at her waist, and lifted her onto her toes effortlessly. His voice dropped low. “You were angry last night because Charlotte has the code to my place?”
Sydney’s face flamed at how precisely he had cut to the truth. Forced so close, she dodged his burning stare. “I just think we aren’t that close.”
He bent lower, and their breaths tangled, “We lived under the same roof for nine years, and that isn’t close?”
The air was thick with something sharp and heavy.
1/2
“Then tell me, what counts as close?” he asked.
The question caught her. When she looked up, her eyes locked with his dark, fathomless eyes. Their faces were so near that his breath fanned across her cheek, his cedar scent wrapping tight around her.
She opened her mouth, only for him to cover it with his.
Sydney’s body went rigid, while her eyes flew wide. She almost forgot to breathe, staring at his long, dense lashes. Her heartbeat roared in her ears. She could not tell which was hers and which was his.
Seconds later, he pulled back, his nose brushing hers.
“This close enough?” His voice was husky.
She trembled. “I suppose…”
Julian smirked. “Suppose?”
The next instant, his kiss struck like a storm–fierce, urgent, and unrefined. It carried the raw hunger of a man who had endured too long and could no longer restrain himself.
One hand pinned her to him, the other cradled the back of her head, leaving her no room to pull away.
For Sydney, the sensation was completely foreign. She was trapped in his grip, her breath ragged, her body going slack under the intensity.
Then the doorbell shattered the moment, followed by voices drifting in from outside. Caleb was among them. They had come to visit Julian’s new home, and she was inside.
A jolt shot through her, and her already unsteady legs nearly gave way.
2/2
e te uvodu never
rung, intent on deepening the kiss.
Sydney shoved at his chest just enough to steal a breath. “Someone’s-”
His eyes darkened with desire. His hand slid upward on her waist, claiming her lips again.
“Ignore them.” His voice was husky and achingly seductive.
The bell rang again, louder this time. Impatient fists rapped on the door, and muffled voices followed.
“What’s going on? Did Jules forget we were coming?”
“No way.”
That was Caleb’s voice.
Panic shot through Sydney. Her gaze flicked to Julian. “It’s Caleb. They’re here-”
“So what?” He kissed her again, a flash of cold cruelty crossing his face. Tilting her chin, he pressed, “Afraid he’ll find out you’re cheating on your husband?”
“It’s not that-”
Humiliation stung sharply. Caleb was outside, ringing the bell, yet she was in her brother’s arms.
But Julian saw only fear of exposure. He stepped closer and enveloped her completely in his frame, his laugh sharp and merciless. “Tell me. Whose kisses are better, mine or his?”
She was dumbfounded. “That’s… What kind of question is that? I just feel-”
The sound of keys tapping on the keypad cut her off. Someone outside was entering the code, the numbers clicking quickly, almost to the last digit.
Sydney tried to bolt, but Julian caught her and forced her to meet his
gaze.
“Answer me,” he demanded sharply.
Her cheeks burned. Her heart pounded against her ribs. She bit down hard, then blurted, “You. Yours. You’re the best.”
She didn’t add that she had never kissed Caleb, that Julian had stolen her first kiss.
Apparently satisfied, he smirked. He released her, turned smoothly, and went to open the door.
Sydney bolted into the bathroom and locked the door behind her. She pressed her back to the cool wall and breathed hard as she tried to calm her racing pulse.
Julian opened the door. His gaze swept over the men outside, his tone casual. “Why so early?”
Bruce grinned. “We just wanted to meet your girlfriend early.”
1/2
Two nights ago, Julian had dropped a bomb in their group chat, hinting he finally had a girlfriend. They had come early, eager to catch a glimpse.
Bruce carried bags inside, then spun to gape at Julian. “Jules, your mouth…”
The others followed his gaze. A bold smear of lipstick stained Julian’s lips, a vivid trace of what had just happened.
Raymond raised a brow, flicking Julian a look. “No wonder you said we were early. She’s really here, isn’t she?”
Caleb didn’t blink. He had suspected the last time he saw Julian waiting downstairs like a man guarding something precious. With Julian’s looks, power, and ruthless persistence, no woman could resist him for long. His years without relationships had been by choice, not inability.
Still, Caleb’s curiosity lingered. What kind of woman could hold his attention?
He smiled faintly. “The same one you were waiting for last time?”
“Yeah.” Julian inclined his head and ignored the others.
Only then did he seem to notice, brushing his lips with his thumb. The smear came away red. He flicked his tongue over it and savored the taste.
Caleb understood immediately. Julian was serious.
“Better start planning a wedding banquet, then,” Caleb teased.
“Not so fast.” Julian shoved one hand into his pocket and tossed cold beers to each of them.
Bruce cracked open a can, gulped, and smirked. “Why not? Unless… what, Jules? You’ve gone and hooked up with a married woman?”
The bathroom door creaked open. Sydney stepped out, and those words froze her mind.
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 175
“Well, would you look at that? Your girlfriend actually showed up?”
Bruce and his two buddies all turned toward the bathroom at once. When Sydney stepped out, surprise and something closer to disappointment flickered across their faces.
She forced a smile, nerves fraying, and greeted them individually. “Bruce…”
“Syd,” Bruce said as if it were perfectly ordinary for her to be there. “So you and your brother finally made up?”
Her mind scrambled for a plausible explanation. His phrasing handed her a lifeline. She nodded quickly. “Yeah. That’s right.”
“Syd’s here already?” Caleb’s voice cut across the room.
She looked to see him standing there. He had dressed casually for the friends–only gathering, but he still carried that air of clean–cut elegance. Beside him, shoulder to shoulder, was Penelope. It was the first time he had so openly brought her into his circle of friends–almost like an announcement.
Sydney smirked faintly. She did not mind. Soon, the divorce certificate would be in her hands.
“Yeah,” she said lightly. “I live across the hall. Came over to help Jules warm the place. That’s not a problem, right?”
The rare sound of her calling him Jules tugged at Julian’s mouth.
Raymond, quick to sense the undercurrent, stepped in smoothly. “Of course, not a problem.”
“Exactly,” Bruce chimed in, clearly delighted.
He had waited ages for her and Julian to reconcile. He leaned closer, gossip thick in his tone. “Syd, where’s your brother’s gal? Still in the room? Go call her out so we can all meet her.”
Heat surged across Sydney’s face. She shot a desperate glance at Julian. How could she explain there was no “gal, “that the lipstick on his mouth had been hers?
But Julian only met her eyes, leaned back, and watched her squirm with a leisurely, almost curious interest. It was as though he was entertained by her struggle to talk her way out of this.
Her heart thudded. Seeing no rescue coming, she grinned and blurted, “There’s no gal. He just got dumped.”
“What?” Bruce and the others gawked. “Didn’t he just start dating?”
Sydney misinterpreted and assumed they meant the woman Julian had supposedly broken up with.
“Yeah.” She spoke without thinking. “When I came over, he still had lipstick on his mouth. Must’ve been a breakup kiss.”
Peals of laughter rippled through the room. The idea that the untouchable Sterling heir had been dumped days into a relationship was delicious gossip.
A low, sharp–edged laugh rumbled from Julian’s chest. He pressed his tongue against his cheek and looked
1/2
straight at her. “I’ve heard of a breakup screw. Where the hell did you dig up a breakup kiss?”
His voice slid with mockery. “Trendy, is it?”
The words made Sydney’s thoughts skid sideways. Her face burned.
Before she could even respond, the sharp–eyed Bruce’s gaze flicked deliberately to Julian’s waist. He slapped his hand against his thigh and said to Sydney, “No way your brother broke up. He and his girl are just fooling around, adding some spice.”
Confused, Sydney blinked. “Huh?”
Bruce jerked his chin toward Julian. “Look at that belt. Not his style at all. Definitely a gift. You know what it means when a woman gives a man a belt?”
Sydney’s stomach lurched. She recognized it–the one she had given Julian when she replaced his ruined suit. Her smile stiffened. “What does it mean?”
“Obviously they’re together,” Bruce crowed. “Who gives a man a belt unless they’re his girlfriend?”
The words sank like stones. Almost against her will, Sydney glanced at Julian. His eyes sparkled with amusement, no sign of rescue, only watching as if he enjoyed the spectacle.
Her throat tightened. She coughed lightly, feigning calm. “Oh, I see.”
Before she could deflect again, Penelope’s sharp, assessing gaze swept over her. Her eyes narrowed on Sydney’s lips. Then, with feigned innocence, she dropped a bomb. “Syd, your lipstick today… it’s exactly the same color as the one smudged on Mr. Sterling’s mouth earlier. Identical. Don’t tell me you’re the girlfriend he’s been hiding.”
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 176
The instant Penelope spoke, Sydney’s spine went rigid. If she and Julian had a proper, open, clean relationship, she could have admitted it without fear. Even if someone guessed, there would be no shame.
However, they did not. They were lovers, in the rawest, filthiest sense. If anyone discovered it, the scorn would fall solely on her. Julian would escape unscathed, and the contempt would be hers alone.
They would say she had clung to him ten years ago under the excuse of being his “little sister,” and now, desperate to attach herself to the Sterling family, she had degraded herself into his mistress.
“Penelope!” Caleb’s face turned cold, and he said sharply, “What the hell are you thinking? Syd and Jules are brother and sister.”
Back then, Sydney had been willing to burn every bridge with Julian just to marry Caleb. To him, her loyalties had always been crystal clear. Naturally, he had never suspected anything between her and Julian.
Bruce and the others frowned. “Cal, maybe you should send her home? She’s killing the mood.”
Everyone knew what Sydney was to Julian. As for Penelope, what was she? An outsider, a mistress, daring to wag her tongue here?
Caleb glanced at the time, noted it was still early, and gave a terse nod toward Penelope. “Let’s go.”
Sydney blinked, startled. He was not defending Penelope the way he used to.
Without waiting for her to protest, Caleb gripped her arm and marched her toward the elevator.
Humiliation flared in Penelope. “What did I say that was wrong? Look at the lipstick Sydney’s wearing. It’s the exact same shade Julian had on his lips!”
It was not just the lipstick. Everything about Julian and Sydney was off. Brother and sister? Only thick–headed men could believe it.
What kind of “sister” came out of her “brother’s” apartment with ears burning red?
“Enough!” Caleb’s patience snapped. He shoved her hard against the side of the car, his voice a furious grind of teeth. “You insisted on tagging along, so I let you. Now get lost.”
“Cal, do you really find me so unbearable now?”
Just yesterday, he had flung divorce papers in her face and told her he and Sydney were done. But she did not believe him. She had followed today just to see for herself.
Caleb did not just feel disgust but also loathing. He yanked open the car door and shoved her inside, his tone steely. “Jack, drive her home. Now.”
Penelope fumbled for the handle. The door was locked tight. In a panic, she rolled down the window and seized his sleeve. “Then when will you take me to get our marriage certificate?”
Caleb shook her hand off like filth, dusting his sleeve clean. “I’ve already sent someone to handle it. Tomorrow, the certificate will be delivered.”
1/2
“Caleb…” Her eyes narrowed, and her voice carried her suspicion. “You’re lying to me, aren’t you? The divorce certificate was fake, wasn’t it?”
He could throw divorce papers at her, fine. But if he were truly marrying her, why would he not take her to the courthouse himself? Why send someone else? Unless it had all been a lie.
She was not like Sydney. She was not so easy to fool.
A chill like a blade slid into Caleb’s gaze. His rage flared. He wrenched the car door open again, grabbed her by the throat, and squeezed until her breath broke into gasps.
“Penelope, don’t you dare push me. You should thank God I even bother lying to you. But if you force me…” he snarled sharply.
The last of his patience burned away. His eyes narrowed to a deadly sliver. Ignoring her frantic struggles, he lifted his gaze to the rearview mirror. “Jack. Lock her in the suburban villa. Cut off water and food.”
Penelope’s eyes bulged wide. Terror shot down her spine. “What are you doing…”
“You’re smart. Figure it out.” He released her and patted her cheek in a parody of gentleness. His voice was low, deadly, like a whisper from hell. “I don’t have the energy to coddle you anymore. Sit in that basement and think. Decide if you want to tell me where Precious is. No food, no water. Human body lasts what? Seven days?”
His tone softened almost to a caress. “Seven days. If you don’t figure it out, then die.”
The last word was barely breathed, but it coated her skin in ice.
For the first time, real fear clawed at Penelope. Her whole body trembled. She realized, with dawning horror, that this man might be colder, crueler, and more terrifying than the infamous Julian.
“You’ll kill me?” she choked. “And if I die, aren’t you afraid you’ll never find her?”
His gaze turned hard and merciless. “Penelope, that’s the second time you’ve tried to threaten me.
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 177
Caleb pinched Penelope’s chin with a faint smile. “Tell me, how should I make your death more painful? Should I throw a few big wolfhounds into the basement with you?”
“No!” Penelope broke instantly, screaming. “I’ll tell you! If I tell you, will you let me go?”
His tone softened. “Of course.‘
“Really?”
“Really.”
His serious expression left no room for doubt. Her whole body shook as she stammered, “T–The people who adopted her… they came from Jouleston.”
Caleb’s brows furrowed. “Jouleston? Are you sure?”
“Sure!” Penelope bobbed her head frantically, desperate to clutch even the thinnest thread of life.
Only now did she realize that trusting this man and bargaining with him was like begging meat from a tiger’s jaws. The darkness in his bones went far beyond what anyone could imagine.
“I see.” Caleb straightened, slammed the car door, and rapped on the driver’s window. “Tell Gordon to get a
wolfhound. The fiercest one he can find.”
He rose slowly and buttoned his suit jacket with cool precision. His violent aura dissipated, replaced by the polished, noble mask he wore so effortlessly. He strode upstairs as if he could not hear the desperate shrieks from the car behind him.
Upstairs, the mood had changed completely.
Caleb stepped into the entryway and heard peals of laughter echoing from the living room.
Changing his shoes, he smiled lightly. “What are you all talking about?”
“Talking about how Syd finally made up with Jules,” Bruce replied without looking back, always ready to speak for her. “You sent Penelope away? Honestly, I don’t even know why you brought her here today.”
Caleb chuckled. “Special circumstances. Won’t happen again.”
“Won’t happen again?” Bruce sounded doubtful.
He glanced at Sydney, who sat quietly like a well–behaved doll, then swallowed the rest of his words.
Everyone felt it. Caleb spoke with an unusual mildness.
“I’ll make it clear now. From now on, she and I are done. That’s it,” Caleb said evenly
Everyone except Julian froze. No one had forgotten that Penelope was his secret crush. He had brought her along, and now he was cutting ties? Although Caleb addressed the group, the words were clearly meant for Sydney,
1/2
She didn’t care. She kept her gaze lowered, quietly sipping her juice, though she could feel a sharp stare boring into her. She didn’t need to look to know it was Julian.
By evening, the private dinner Julian had ordered arrived on time. As everyone sat down, the seat beside Caleb was left empty for Sydney.
Bruce grinned. “Syd, sit here.”
“Alright.” Sydney did not think being divorced meant she had to avoid him. She sat openly.
The moment she did, a sharp pressure landed on the top of her foot.
She flinched and tried to pull back, but the weight pressed harder. Glancing down, she immediately recognized whose foot it was.
Above the table, laughter and toasts flowed freely. Beneath it, his shoe pressed brazenly against her bare skin. It felt illicit, like an affair carried on in the dark.
Julian’s face was cold as stone, his gaze sliding over her before flicking to the small distance between her and Caleb.
He looked utterly righteous, as if nothing were out of place and pinning her foot beneath his was perfectly natural. He had never been a gentleman.
This was not merely forbidding Caleb from touching even a finger of hers. It was forbidding him to sit close at all.
Resigned, Sydney shifted her chair farther away. Only when there was enough space between her and Caleb for another person to sit did Julian finally release her foot.
It was childish.
Mid–conversation, Caleb noticed her retreating inch by inch. He turned his head and asked gently, “Still angry about the other day?”
He meant the “fake divorce.”
Sydney shook her head calmly. “No.”
The marriage was over. Why would she be angry about his suggestion of a fake divorce?
“Really?” Caleb leaned closer, lowering his voice. “I won’t be seeing Penelope anymore. We don’t need to keep up the pretense,”
Thinking of her living across from Julian, he gave a soft laugh. “I didn’t expect your brother to move in right across from you. Actually, it kind of works out. Once we finish here, I’ll help you pack and take you home.”
2/2
“I’m asking. What’s your relationship with Marcus?”
“I have no relationship with him at all!” Her temper snapped, every word sharp and deliberate. “Caleb, stop blaming others to cover your own guilt!”
Caleb rarely saw her this agitated. To him, it only proved her guilt and reinforced his suspicions. “Fine. If that’s true, then come home with me.”
He jabbed the elevator button, holding her firmly as he tried to drag her along.
“Let me go!” Sydney struggled, panic rising.
He did not release her.
“Let go,” a sharp, cold voice commanded.
Caleb froze. Julian stood at the doorway, eyes dark and cutting as they locked on the hand gripping Sydney.
This time, before she could struggle again, Caleb released her.
Julian extended his hand toward her. “Come back here.”
Relief washed over her. Sydney hurried over, her demeanor soft and obedient.
Julian’s irritation eased as he watched her play the part so well. He glanced at Caleb and smirked faintly. ” Already bullying her at my doorstep?”
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 178
She didn’t care. She kept her gaze lowered, quietly sipping her juice, though she could feel a sharp stare boring into her. She didn’t need to look to know it was Julian.
By evening, the private dinner Julian had ordered arrived on time. As everyone sat down, the seat beside Caleb was left empty for Sydney.
Bruce grinned. “Syd, sit here.”
“Alright.” Sydney did not think being divorced meant she had to avoid him. She sat openly.
The moment she did, a sharp pressure landed on the top of her foot.
She flinched and tried to pull back, but the weight pressed harder. Glancing down, she immediately recognized whose foot it was.
Above the table, laughter and toasts flowed freely. Beneath it, his shoe pressed brazenly against her bare skin. It felt illicit, like an affair carried on in the dark.
Julian’s face was cold as stone, his gaze sliding over her before flicking to the small distance between her and Caleb.
He looked utterly righteous, as if nothing were out of place and pinning her foot beneath his was perfectly natural. He had never been a gentleman.
This was not merely forbidding Caleb from touching even a finger of hers. It was forbidding him to sit close at all.
Resigned, Sydney shifted her chair farther away. Only when there was enough space between her and Caleb for another person to sit did Julian finally release her foot.
It was childish.
Mid–conversation, Caleb noticed her retreating inch by inch. He turned his head and asked gently, “Still angry about the other day?”
He meant the “fake divorce.”
Sydney shook her head calmly. “No.”
The marriage was over. Why would she be angry about his suggestion of a fake divorce?
“Really?” Caleb leaned closer, lowering his voice. “I won’t be seeing Penelope anymore. We don’t need to keep up the pretense,”
Thinking of her living across from Julian, he gave a soft laugh. “I didn’t expect your brother to move in right across from you. Actually, it kind of works out. Once we finish here, I’ll help you pack and take you home.”
2/2
“I’m asking. What’s your relationship with Marcus?”
“I have no relationship with him at all!” Her temper snapped, every word sharp and deliberate. “Caleb, stop blaming others to cover your own guilt!”
Caleb rarely saw her this agitated. To him, it only proved her guilt and reinforced his suspicions. “Fine. If that’s true, then come home with me.”
He jabbed the elevator button, holding her firmly as he tried to drag her along.
“Let me go!” Sydney struggled, panic rising.
He did not release her.
“Let go,” a sharp, cold voice commanded.
Caleb froze. Julian stood at the doorway, eyes dark and cutting as they locked on the hand gripping Sydney.
This time, before she could struggle again, Caleb released her.
Julian extended his hand toward her. “Come back here.”
Relief washed over her. Sydney hurried over, her demeanor soft and obedient.
Julian’s irritation eased as he watched her play the part so well. He glanced at Caleb and smirked faintly. ” Already bullying her at my doorstep?”
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 179
Chapter 179
Caleb remained wary of him. He forced a smile. “You’re overthinking. I just wanted to take her home.”
Julian’s gaze was sharp. “Does she want to?”
Publicly, the Hampton and Sterling families had always been business partners. Privately, the two men had grown up together. Now, with Julian and Sydney reconciled, Julian was something like a brother–in–law to Caleb.
Caleb softened his tone to avoid escalating the tension. “Every couple has quarrels. They fight and make up. It’s not as serious as you think.”
At the words “they fight and make up,” Sydney instinctively glanced at Julian, catching the icy flash in his eyes.
Suddenly, Julian reached out, ruffled her hair, and chuckled. “I don’t care if it’s fighting, making up, or fighting and divorcing. Either way, as long as she doesn’t want to, no one’s taking her from me.”
His usual offhanded drawl carried a steely authority that brooked no challenge.
Inside, the others had overheard the tension and approached.
Raymond immediately sensed the sharp edge between the two men. He patted Caleb’s shoulder. “If Syd doesn’t want to move back, let her stay here. Wait until she’s willing.”
“Exactly,” Bruce added.
Although he was Caleb’s friend, he had witnessed firsthand how Sydney had been treated before.
“Cal, frost doesn’t build up overnight. If you really want her to come back with you, it has to be her choice. And with Jules watching over her, it’s not like some other man will get a chance.”
Caleb studied Sydney in silence for a long moment. Reflecting on Bruce’s words, he grudgingly admitted they had a point. If Marcus ever tried to approach her, Julian would be the barrier.
Finally, he sighed. “Fine. Once your anger cools, you can come back anytime.”
He glanced at Julian again, uneasy. “I’ll trouble you to take care of her for now.”
Julian’s eyes flicked toward Sydney. His tone was lazy, almost teasing. “Wouldn’t call it trouble.”
“All right then.” Raymond checked his watch and waved at the others. “It’s late. Let’s head out. I’ve got to rush back to Brimcrest tonight.”
The Hutton family’s rules were strict. Tomorrow was New Year’s Eve, and everyone was expected to be at home early.
Once the group entered the elevator, Raymond hesitated, then turned back to Sydney. “Didn’t see Tiffany today. Where is she?”
“She’s…” Sydney looked to Julian. Seeing him nod, she answered honestly, “She went home for the New Year.”
Raymond frowned slightly, then he gave a small nod. “All right. Thanks.”
1/2
The elevator doors closed, leaving the hallway quiet.
Sydney exhaled slowly, then asked, “Julian, is there something between Raymond and Tiff?”
She had sensed it the day she picked Tiffany up from the police station, but Tiffany had been too ill to talk, and Sydney had held back.
Julian raised an eyebrow. “You want to know?”
“Yes.”
“Go shower first.” He tugged her back inside, steering her toward the master bathroom.
Sydney’s scalp tingled. Her period had just ended. Instinctively, the doctor in her asked, “Did you prepare protection?”
Julian looked momentarily caught off guard, even choking slightly. He covered his lips with a fist and coughed, though he did not stop walking. His dark eyes returned to her. “What protection?”
“Condoms.”
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 180
Contraceptives were routine in any doctor’s eyes. Given their current relationship, the moment Julian told her to shower, Sydney’s first instinct had naturally been to assume that.
She had come to him and asked to be his lover. There was no point pretending otherwise. It was better to accept it early. Then, if he grew tired of her one day, she could walk away cleanly.
Julian suddenly chuckled, scooped her up, and set her on the bathroom counter. He braced one hand beside her thigh, eyes glinting with amusement, and leaned close to her ear.
“Didn’t you say you’re my lover? Since when do lovers need condoms?” he deliberately teased her.
His tone was careless to the extreme.
Sydney had steeled herself for this, yet his words still made her flush. “That doesn’t matter. You still have to be safe.”
He adopted a mock–serious tone. “Safe from what? I’m not sick.”
Sydney flared. “Julian! This has nothing to do with being sick or not-”
He cut her off with a low correction. “Call me Jules.”
In her memory, he had corrected her like this countless times. He insisted on it. By their old pattern, if she did not comply, the conversation simply could not move forward. Thus, like handling a demanding client, she swallowed her feelings and said evenly, “Jules.”
Julian glanced down at her, and his cool gaze betrayed a hint of dissatisfaction. “Sydney, when you were little, you weren’t this insincere.”
Sydney lost her patience and snapped, “Jules! Happy now?”
That hit the right note. She was always like this with him: either impatient or coaxing when she wanted something.
Seeing the pleased arch of his brows, Sydney realized for the first time. ‘Does he actually enjoy this?‘
She pressed, “This isn’t about sickness. It’s about life and death.”
“Oh? Death?” Julian tilted his head, lips curling with feigned innocence, like a naive college boy. “Why would anyone die?”
Normally, Sydney didn’t even bother posting public health knowledge online. For her as a doctor, this was basic as air. But Julian’s deep, probing gaze made her breath falter.
She glared at him. “When sperm and egg meet, tell me–doesn’t that risk killing someone?”
Her expression was serious. Under the bathroom light, her flawless skin glowed with a peachy flush of anger, her breathing quick and uneven.
Suddenly, Julian lowered his head. Their breaths mingled. His throat bobbed once before his lips brushed hers.
1/2
It was the lightest of kisses. He leaned back slightly and watched her trembling lashes. “No one’s dying.”
He would never allow such a thing. If they ever had a child together, that child would only live a charmed life.
Sydney’s thoughts scrambled. She missed the hidden meaning in his words and grew even more flustered. “Can you stop joking about this? I know you’ve probably had plenty of women before… Maybe even children-”
Before she could finish, he silenced her by forcing her lips apart and claiming her mouth with a deep, unrelenting kiss. His desire and dominance blazed through, laid utterly bare.
In the steamy haze of the bathroom, the air thickened with heat and intimacy. Every time his lips pressed hers, her legs went weak, her breath lost to him.
She tried to lean back, but he anticipated it. His large hand locked around her nape, and he toyed with her at will.
Soon, she could no longer resist, her voice breaking into fragments. “Julian…”
“Call me Jules.”
Even in the thick of passion, without once breaking the kiss, he never forgot to correct her.
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 181
Chapter 181
The unfamiliar sensations overwhelmed Sydney, and she no longer dared argue with him.
“Jules…” Her voice, softened by his kiss, came out tender and submissive.
The hand Julian clamped at her waist went rigid, tendons and veins standing out beneath his skin, his grip charged with explosive tension.
“It hurts!” She hadn’t expected that yielding would only make him tighten his hold.
A moment ago, it had felt as though he wanted to crush her into himself.
Julian snapped back to his senses. He released her and pressed a gentler kiss to her lips, his breath rough and uneven. “Sorry. Did I hurt you?”
When he drew back and saw her lashes still damp from his kiss, he nearly lost control all over again.
“Shower.” He tossed out the word and strode toward the guest bathroom.
Sydney stared after him in a daze. Did he mean they would shower and then go to bed?
The bathtub was nearly overflowing, so she hurried to shut off the tap.
After a brief pause, realizing Julian had no intention of returning, she closed the bathroom door. Her toiletries were in her apartment, and when she finished her bath, she found only one snow-white towel hanging on the rack. No spares.
Julian’s obsession with cleanliness made her hesitate. She didn’t dare use his things without permission.
Still dripping, she opened the door a crack and called softly, “Julian, do you have another towel? If not, could you grab one from my place?”
“Use mine.” He happened to be passing by. His voice was calm, though faintly hoarse. Through the narrow gap, he handed her a piece of clothing. “Wear this.”
“Oh, okay.”
She closed the door again. At first, nothing felt unusual, but as she dried herself, the faint sandalwood scent clung to her skin, unsettling in its intimacy.
She was using his towel.
Lowering her gaze to the cloth in her hands, she tried to steady herself, yet she couldn’t ignore the truth. This towel belonged to the man she had called “brother” for nine years.
The forbidden feeling she had buried clawed its way back, threatening to consume her.
It was a long while before she calmed enough to slip into the nightgown he had given her. She tried not to think about it. Aside from her underwear, she wore nothing beneath the thin dress. In the end, everything would be taken off anyway.
Sydney had no idea why Julian kept women’s sleepwear at his place. Perhaps an ex had left it. It looked brand new, though. Maybe he had bought it for someone else, and they parted before she ever wore it.
By the time she finished, Julian had already showered in the other bathroom. When she stepped out, his brows drew together. ” Why didn’t you dry your hair?”
Sydney blinked.
“I forgot.” Her voice was flat.
1/2
The hem of the nightgown brushed her knees, baring her slender legs. Fresh from the bath, her skin glowed pale and smooth.
“Wait for me in bed,” he said casually, then walked back into the bathroom.
When Sydney sat down, Julian returned with a hair dryer. The man who was always distant and untouchable stood beside her, patiently drying her hair. His fingers combed through the damp strands, grazing her scalp.
It wasn’t the first time. She had always hated blow-drying her hair. As a child, Julian had done it for her.
Her eyes dropped to the nightgown that clearly belonged to someone else. A sudden thought pricked her. ‘Did he blow-dried that woman’s hair as well?’
When he finished, he caught her distracted expression and asked cooly, “Weren’t you going to ask about Raymond and your
bestie?”
Sydney lifted her head. Instead of answering, she asked quietly, “Are we doing it tonight?”
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 182
Chapter 182
Julian had not expected Sydney to be so blunt. His brows lifted slightly, but before he could speak, her phone rang. It lay on the bed between them. Both glanced at the caller ID.
It was Tiffany.
At such a late hour, she would not be calling without reason.
Sydney snatched up the phone. “Hello? Tiff, did something happen?”
“I just got back.” Tiffany’s voice came muffled, thick with helplessness. “Why aren’t you at home?”
Sydney shot upright. “I’m at Julian’s. I’ll come right now.”
Julian’s expression darkened. He pressed her shoulder firmly and held her in place. “Who’s more important, me or Tiffany?”
It sounded like the question of a sulking schoolboy.
Sydney exhaled, exasperated. “Do you want the truth?”
His brow twitched. “Say it.”
“Right now, it’s Tiffany.”
The instant she said it, his hand loosened. Sydney was fearful that Tiffany had run into trouble, so she hurried out.
Julian watched her retreat, his shoulders tight, and his eyes betrayed a flicker of self-mockery.
‘Right now, it’s Tiffany… But before, it was me…’
Once, he had been the little girl’s entire world, the one he had raised. Not anymore.
When Sydney arrived home, she slipped into her slippers and spotted Tiffany sitting gloomily on the carpet. She hugged her knees, back pressed against the sofa, a picture of vulnerability.
At the sound of movement, she looked up. Her eyes were swollen and red, yet she still found room for gossip. “Is there something going on between you and that brother of yours?”
Sydney froze, then seized the chance to admit it. “I’m with him now.”
She left out the part about being his mistress. If she said that, Tiffany would connect it to the last incident and might uncover the real reason she and Julian had become entangled. That would only burden her with guilt.
Tiffany’s lethargy vanished, and she sat up straighter, swearing, “Fuck! Julian’s an animal, isn’t he? You’re his sister! Don’t tell me he’s been scheming all this time?”
“Stop, stop.” Barefoot, Sydney crossed the carpet, ripped open a bag of snacks, and sat down beside her. “We didn’t even speak for eight years. How could he have had bad intentions back then?”
“Who knows? Maybe eight years ago he already…” Tiffany trailed off, realizing her thoughts had run too far.
Eight years ago, Sydney had been only 16. Julian hardly seemed the type who preyed on young girls. Her mind leapt again, shifting tracks. “Wait. Three years ago, when he tried to stop you from marrying Caleb, was it because he liked you? And when you insisted on marrying anyway, he cut off contact for three years out of spite?”
“Don’t get carried away.” Sydney stuffed a cookie into her mouth. “What do you think this is, a romance novel? With melodramatic twists and turns?”
1/2
In real life, no one schemed and waited years for someone. Least of all Julian. He was arrogant, proud, and uncompromising. If he had truly loved her back then, his pride would have never let him take her back now. At most, what he felt was the fleeting
whim of a rich heir.
Munching on the cookie, Tiffany admitted she might have been overthinking. “Then, just now at his place, you two were…”
Sydney felt her cheeks flush and quickly redirected the conversation. “Why did you suddenly come back? Did your parents or your brother do something again?”
“Don’t even start.” Tiffany’s breathing turned sharp. “They set me up on a blind date. Said the guy could put up 150,000 dollars as dowry. With that, plus what they already have, and a bit from me, they think they can scrape together enough for a down payment on an apartment for my brother.”
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 183
Chapter 183
“What do you mean? Your dowry? All of it’s supposed to go toward buying your brother a house?”
“Yeap.” Tiffany rolled her eyes and cracked open a beer, gulping it down in fury. “They can dream on. And they even said, since I’ve been working three or four years already, plus being a lawyer is such a high-paying job, I must have plenty saved up. So of course, I should pitch in to buy my brother a house.”
Sydney licked her lips and reached out to pat her head. “Whether it’s your body or your money, if you don’t want to give, they can’t take a thing from you.”
Beyond that, Sydney had little more to say. No matter how unreasonable they were, they were still Tiffany’s family. Blood ties could not be cut with a single decision.
Tiffany looked up at her. Normally so decisive, she now asked in a small voice, “What if they force me?”
Sydney chuckled softly. “Then you’ve still got me. I’ll protect you.’
She had more than enough money, enough to hire ten bodyguards for Tiffany if it ever came to that.
The next morning, Sydney and Tiffany rose early. They pasted up New Year decorations and reheated some of the meatballs Eliana and Agatha had sent over.
The festive atmosphere was thickening when the doorbell rang.
Tiffany ran to answer it. A moment later, she hurried back into the kitchen and tapped Sydney’s shoulder. “Your ex-husband’s here. He’s asking for you.”
Sydney frowned. “Then keep an eye on the meatballs in the pan.’
Handing her the spatula, she turned and went out.
”
Caleb had not stepped inside. He stood at the doorway, waiting. “Syd, I’m here to take you back to the family estate.”
Sydney froze. She had all but forgotten. She thought of herself as divorced, yet returning to the Hampton estate for New Year’s
had always been tradition.
No matter how bitter the rest of the year grew, these old aristocratic families loved putting on a show of harmony during the
holidays.
“Then wait a moment.” Sydney did not refuse. “I’ll go change.”
She had not expected to leave the apartment today and was still in loungewear. When she came back out, dressed neatly and lightly made up, she saw another figure standing in the elevator lobby.
Julian was waiting for the elevator, his expression dark, the air around him weighted. Someone had clearly provoked him.
Caleb must have greeted him already. When he saw Sydney, he said softly, “Let’s go.”
“Alright.”
Sydney walked with him toward the elevator, though she could feel Julian’s gaze sweep over her. It was light, but impossible to ignore. She instinctively edged a little farther from Caleb.
Only then did Julian look at her directly. “I’ll come to the Hampton estate this afternoon to pick you up for New Year’s Eve dinner at the family house.”
“You’re going back to the old estate for New Year’s?” Sydney’s surprise slipped out.
1/2
In recent years, Julian had rarely returned for New Year’s or any holiday.
He did not explain, only gave a faint nod. “Yeah.”
Caleb spoke up suddenly. “Jules, you don’t need to make a special trip to fetch Syd.”
He looked at Sydney, and his handsome face softened. “This year, I’ll go with her to the Sterling estate.”
Sydney blinked in shock. Caleb had never accompanied her there for New Year’s before. Every year, Lucas and Penelope would
return and stay at the estate for a time, and during those days Caleb would practically live there.
This year, Lucas was gone. But Penelope, as Timothy’s mother, should by rights still be at the family estate.
So where was Caleb finding the time to go with her to the Sterling estate?
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 184
Chapter 184
It was not until they reached the Hampton estate that Sydney finally found her answer.
Penelope had not returned for New Year’s, but Timothy had. He clung to Adeline’s side for once, unusually quiet and obedient.
They arrived just as dinner was being served. Before anyone could even sit down, the housekeeper announced the meal.
Everyone moved into the dining room. Adeline’s displeasure showed plainly. “Rare enough for you to come home for New Year’s, and you show up right at mealtime. To outsiders, it would look as if you were the elder here.”
Her target was obvious.
Sydney pretended not to hear, but Caleb would not let it pass. His voice remained steady. “Mom, the fault is mine for not arranging my time properly. If someone must be scolded, scold me.”
“Cal!” Adeline drew a sharp breath. “Remember, I’m your mother, yet you always defend outsiders.”
“The ‘outsiders’ you mean…” Sydney lifted her head and smiled faintly. “Are you referring to me? Or to my sister-in-law?”
If the remark was meant for her, it would be unjust. If for Penelope, then it should never have been spoken in front of her. She
had no reason to shoulder someone else’s resentment.
Adeline’s expression tightened. Her teeth clicked as she bit down. “Of course it’s natural for Cal to defend his sister-in-law. He’s simply helping watch over Penny and her child for Lucas’ sake. Why must you twist things into a fuss?”
For years she had feared Caleb might truly marry Penelope. For the Hampton family’s reputation, she now refused to admit it
aloud.
Sydney’s smile deepened. “Then him defending me should be even more natural. What is there for you to be angry about?”
“Sydney!” Adeline’s temper flared. It was not the first time her sharp tongue had left Adeline cornered. “If you-”
“Enough.” Dorothy’s face darkened as she turned to her. “Adeline, if the children arrive late, then they arrive late. It’s New Year’s. No need to make an issue of it.”
“Yes, Mother.” Adeline fell silent at once, her fear of her mother-in-law outweighing her anger.
Halfway through the meal, Caleb’s phone rang. He leaned close to Sydney and spoke softly. “Eat well. I’ll just step out for this call.”
She blinked, unsettled. “Alright.”
In the past, he would never have offered such an explanation before leaving the table.
She peeled prawns by hand and was about to dip them in sauce when a housekeeper serving dessert spilled half a bowl of eggnog
over her.
“I’m so sorry, Ms. Wilson, my hand slipped!”
Sydney waved it off. “It’s fine. I’ll just go clean up.”
She rose and headed for the bathroom. The spill had only touched her sleeve, and she thought it would wash out quickly.
Crossing the back courtyard, she heard Caleb’s voice. “Are you sure you can track it down? As long as there’s any clue about her, spare no cost.”
Sydney froze. Before she could register what he meant, her eyes met his.
A flicker of guilt crossed his face. He lowered his voice, muttered something into the phone, and walked quickly toward her.
1/2
“Penelope’s missing?” Sydney asked with a faint smile.
“No.” He shook his head.
It had been Gordon on the line. He had reported they were close to discovering which family in Jouleston had adopted Precious years ago. However, Caleb could not bring himself to tell her.
Sydney could think of no one else who would drive him to such urgency, but she chose not to press. “I’ll just clean up in the
bathroom.”
The eggnog proved harder to wash out than she expected. She scrubbed under running water until her arm ached, yet the stain barely lightened.
She still had to attend the Sterling family’s New Year’s Eve dinner. Eloise would surely notice and deliver a few barbed remarks.
As Sydney fretted, a sudden knock sounded at the bathroom door.
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 185
Chapter 185
Sydney turned off the faucet and dabbed at the water on her sleeve with a tissue before going to open the door.
Caleb stood there with a gentle expression and a set of clothes in his hands.
She blinked in surprise. “How did you know?”
Caleb smiled faintly and pinched her cheek. “Your husband isn’t blind. I saw your clothes got stained. Hurry and change into
these.”
He handed her the clothes. His tone carried a hint of teasing, something she had never heard from him before. He had also never referred to himself as her husband.
Uneasy, Sydney closed the door. She had no idea what had gotten into him.
After changing, she stepped out. Just as she was about to walk around the carved wooden screen that divided the corridor from the dining area, she heard voices. Caleb and Adeline were arguing.
Adeline’s tone was as soft and indulgent as always. “The biggest mistake I ever made was agreeing to your marriage with her. With her background, she was never worthy of you. If you divorce her, you can find someone truly suitable. Wouldn’t that be better?”
“Mom, her background wasn’t something she could choose.” Caleb’s voice was cold. “I already told you. Other than her, I won’t
marry anyone.”
The antique screen blocked their view of the corridor. They didn’t realize Sydney was standing right there.
Adeline frowned. “When you bent over backward to protect Penelope, I never saw you side with Sydney. Why now? Why insist it has to be her?”
Sydney almost laughed. Everyone had seen how fiercely he once defended Penelope. The latter had always meant more to him
than his own wife.
Caleb fell silent for a moment, then spoke in a low, steady voice. “Yes, it has to be her. Penelope will never set foot in the Hampton family again.”
Maybe he had already fallen for Sydney. Maybe it had been true for a long time. The first time he realized it was that day at the mall, when he saw her dining with Marcus. His chest had tightened with an unbearable, violent pang.
Later, he even asked Bruce about it. Bruce had teased that he was done for, that he only wanted both women at once.
However, Caleb knew that wasn’t true. When Penelope spent time with other men, he never felt that same gut-twisting jealousy. Even when his older brother openly doted on her, it hadn’t shaken him. All he had hoped then was that his brother
would treat her well.
Sydney was different. If Marcus so much as made her smile, he would feel like numerous ants gnawed at his heart. Every glance, every laugh she shared with another man was unbearable.
Adeline’s frown deepened. “Are you sure you’ve really thought this through?”
“I’m sure.” Caleb’s reply was firm and clear.
He had never been so certain of anything in his life. The only thing left was figuring out how to explain everything to Sydney once he found Precious. When that time came, he would tell her the truth.
Adeline’s face darkened. She snatched up a wineglass and hurled it to the floor. “You’ve truly lost your mind!”
Sydney stood frozen behind the screen. She had heard every word, but it was too late. She was not the kind of woman who turned back once she had abandoned a road.
1/2
After dinner, Timothy clung to Caleb, begging him to play ball in the courtyard. The uncle and nephew went outside together.
As soon as they left, Adeline fixed her gaze on Sydney. “Come upstairs with me.”
Sydney followed her. They entered the study one after the other.
The moment the door closed, Adeline went straight to the point. “The announcement of your divorce from Cal needs to be
delayed.”
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 186
Chapter 186
Adeline had never imagined that her own son would grow so attached to Sydney. What she had believed was a flawless plan had collapsed in front of her.
Sydney had not expected it either. She never thought Caleb would cut ties with Penelope so decisively, let alone declare that he would never divorce her.
Unfortunately, their divorce had already gone through.
After steadying her thoughts, Sydney looked at Adeline. “I only agreed to keep this quiet until next month.”
Just fifteen days.
Adeline knew her son’s nature. He might appear gentle and refined, but nothing could sway him once he set his mind on something. If he ever discovered she had maneuvered in secret to push through his divorce from Sydney, he would almost certainly turn against her.
As much as she disliked Sydney, Adeline forced her tone softer. “Sydney, then take this as me owing you a favor. Will that do?”
Sydney smirked faintly. “Adeline, when I called and begged you the other day, you didn’t sound like this at all.”
By now, she understood Adeline perfectly. Beneath the polish, she was no different from Eloise. The mask of civility had already been torn away. A single concession today would never mean Adeline saw herself indebted.
For women like her, a weaker person bowing her head was nothing more than the natural order. So why should Sydney bow
hers?
Now that Caleb’s feelings were plain, Adeline had no choice but to restrain herself. Of course, she remembered her own haughty words on the phone just days earlier. She had assumed that lowering her head now would be enough, that Sydney would let matters rest. She had not expected Sydney to stand her ground, daring even to press on her pride.
Adeline’s fury surged, and she slammed her palm against the desk. “Sydney, do you really not understand your place? After what happened last time, do you still not see you have no right to challenge me?”
Sydney’s voice remained calm. “But this time, you’re the one who needs something from me.”
She would have to make everything clear with Caleb soon. She no longer wished to play the part of the Hampton family’s daughter-in-law.
Her serenity only stoked Adeline’s anger. Just as she lifted her hand again to strike the desk, a knock sounded at the door.
Caleb entered, crossed the room, and took Sydney’s wrist. “From now on, if you have an issue, bring it to me. Don’t make things
hard on her.”
“Are you a fool?” Adeline nearly rolled her eyes, her voice sharp with frustration. “You defend her like this. Do you even know what she’s thinking?”
‘She’s thinking of divorce!’ she shouted inwardly.
Yet Sydney stayed composed, her gaze steady. If someone else voiced it for her, all the better.
“In the past, I wronged her. Whatever she thinks, it’s only natural.” Caleb paused. “I’m taking her to the Sterling family now.”
Adeline’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Sydney. “She’s just a woman with no name or status. Must you really escort her home for New Year?”
It was true. In the past, Sydney had always gone back to the Sterling family alone.
“She’s reconciled with Julian.”
1/2
The chill in Caleb’s words silenced Adeline at once. Her attitude changed immediately. “Very well. If you’re going, then go early. After all, it’s her family home.”
She even led the way downstairs, instructing the housekeeper to prepare gifts and going out of her way to show importance.
When Sydney saw the trunk filled with carefully arranged presents, she could not help but think how wonderful power was.
Caleb held the car door for her. “What are you thinking about?”
“About Julian,” Sydney answered without thinking.
Then she froze. She had unconsciously equated power with Julian. And perhaps not only she-many in Jouleston likely thought
the same.
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 187
Chapter 187
On the other side of the city, in the garden, an old woman and a young man sat together in rare harmony.
Julian picked up some food and placed it before Agatha. “Next New Year, I’ll definitely bring her back for you to meet. Alright?”
“Eat your food.” Agatha gave him a chiding glance. “After this, you still have to go to the old estate. Don’t always be at odds with Eloise. She isn’t as simple as you think.”
Julian inclined his head, fell silent for a while, then asked in a low voice, “Grandma, did you ever hate my grandfather?”
Agatha froze. Deceived into becoming the other woman, she had lost even her own son, who was taken to the Sterling family’s old estate and raised to call Eloise “mother.”
Now, even her biological grandson’s official grandmother was still Eloise. To this day, Agatha remained someone who could never step into the light.
She smiled faintly, serene and composed. “I did hate him. But now I don’t feel anything at all. All I hope for is that you can start your own family soon.”
Her only wish was for this one grandson to live smoothly through the rest of his life and one day meet a good woman.
When Sydney and Caleb arrived at the Sterling estate, the reception hall was alive with noise and cheer. Aunts had come home, children ran through the garden, and the festive air of New Year filled the place.
Seeing Caleb by Sydney’s side this time, Jason smiled and welcomed them warmly. “Mr. Hampton, it’s been a long time since you last visited.”
“In the past, I had too many matters to manage and neglected Sydney. Because of that, she suffered grievances. From now on, that won’t happen again,” Caleb replied smoothly.
His seemingly calm words carried weight. He half-admitted that Sydney had suffered because of him and half-implied she had suffered because of the Sterling family as well.
Jason, shrewd as ever, caught the double meaning. He gave a strained chuckle. “Well, once Madam Sterling hears that, she’ll surely be delighted.”
Sydney said nothing, following them quietly inside.
As they neared the reception hall, she heard younger cousins calling out “cousin-in-law.”
She blinked, puzzled. Her aunts’ sons were still young and unmarried. Of those old enough, only Julian and Victor remained.
Carrying her doubts, she stepped into the room. Surrounded by cousins stood Charlotte, dressed in an exquisitely tailored gown. Gone was her usual competent, intellectual air. Today she radiated the grace and softness of a noble young lady.
The moment Sydney looked over, Charlotte turned her head and approached with a bright smile.
“Mr. Hampton, Syd, Happy New Year!” She then looked directly at Sydney with warmth. “The cousins were just guessing whether Mr. Hampton would come back with you today.”
Sydney smiled faintly. “Happy New Year.”
Charlotte clasped her hand and led her toward the sofa. “You two are doing so well now. When are you planning to have children?”
Sydney froze. Before she could answer, Caleb spoke gently from her side. “That’s up to her. Whenever she wants one, we’ll have
one.”
1/2
Sydney gave a self-mocking smile. In their second year of marriage, she had longed desperately for a child-someone bound to her by blood. Sadly, Caleb had never touched her. No matter how much she wanted one, she could never have it.
Charlotte, unaware, looked on with envy. “Mr. Hampton treats you so well.”
“It’s alright,” Sydney remarked.
Charlotte hesitated, then spoke with a touch of embarrassment. “There’s something I didn’t tell you before. I’m not only your brother’s secretary. I also have a marriage agreement with him.”
2/2
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 188
Chapter 188
At those words, Sydney’s expression froze for a moment. She fell silent before murmuring, “So that’s how it is.”
Her relationship with Julian was even more shameful than she had imagined. It was no wonder Charlotte’s behavior around him had never seemed strange. Sydney had been the one blind to the truth from beginning to end.
It was no wonder Charlotte had appeared tonight, of all nights-New Year’s Eve. She was here as Julian’s future wife.
Before Charlotte could reply, Eloise descended the stairs, her voice warm and affectionate. “Charlotte, when did you arrive? Why didn’t you have Jason call me?”
Her tone carried the indulgence of a grandmother addressing a beloved future granddaughter-in-law.
Charlotte, poised and composed, answered with a gentle smile, “Jason said you were napping, so I didn’t want to disturb you.”
Eloise made her way to the head seat in the reception hall. “Since you’ve come today, your family won’t mind, will they?”
Charlotte stepped forward to support her arm, her voice tender. “Of course not. My parents reminded me to spend time with you
and Jules.”
It was the first time Sydney had ever heard someone of her generation, and of the opposite sex, call Julian by that name.
Eloise patted Charlotte’s hand approvingly before her gaze finally shifted to Sydney. When her eyes landed on Caleb beside her, her expression softened, just slightly.
“Cal, Syd is a headstrong child. She hasn’t caused your family any trouble, has she?” Eloise’s words carried the affection of a grandmother, yet every syllable was edged with reproach.
Sydney was used to it. Eloise had spoken that way for years, about everyone.
Caleb frowned and glanced at the quiet woman at his side before replying coolly, “Syd has never caused me trouble. No one in my family thinks her temper is bad. On the contrary, she’s wonderful. Both my grandmother and my mother adore her.”
Eloise hesitated. “Is that so? Then perhaps this girl only shows her stubborn side in our household.”
“Grandmother,” Caleb said, using the same address Sydney did.
As he spoke, he slipped an arm around Sydney’s shoulders, steady and protective. “Syd has the best temperament of anyone I’ve ever met. Sometimes, I wonder what kind of home life she must have had to turn out this way.”
He smiled faintly. Each word landed with deliberate weight. “Could it be that the Sterling family isn’t quite as generous and kind to her as the rumors suggest?”
Eloise frowned. Weren’t people saying Caleb’s true love was his sister-in-law, that he had never cared for Sydney? Why did it look now as though he defended her at every turn?
Her expression tightened at the pointed question, but Charlotte stepped in smoothly. “Mr. Hampton, what are you implying? Even as an outsider, I can see perfectly well how kindly the Sterling family treats Syd.”
A lazy male voice cut across the air from behind. “What are you all talking about? Sounds lively.”
Sydney knew instantly who it was.
The hall fell silent. In the Sterling family, no one was unafraid of Julian.
Caleb turned, maintaining his faint smile. “We were just discussing whether the Sterling family has treated Syd well.”
Julian’s face betrayed nothing. His gaze slid to Caleb’s hand resting on Sydney’s shoulder, and he sneered, “You already know the answer to that, don’t you?”
1/2
No, it had not been good. Caleb had known that years ago, when Sydney was still a little girl and he often visited the Sterling estate to see Julian. But even then, he had never cared about her situation. His sudden chivalry now only made it seem more laughable.
Sydney could not tell whether Julian’s words were meant for Caleb or Eloise.
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 189
Chapter 189
Caleb and Eloise shifted uncomfortably. Yet in the end, age lent cunning. As long as nothing was said aloud, the Eloise could still pretend nothing had happened.
She beckoned to Sydney with a smile that never touched her eyes. “Come here, Syd. Why don’t you tell everyone? Has the Sterling family treated you well or not?”
She would not put Caleb on the spot, nor risk a direct clash with Julian. Sydney, as always, became the convenient target.
Sydney had barely drawn breath to answer when Julian cut in, voice sharp with disdain, “Enough. That old trick of beating someone while forbidding them to cry out-you’ve been playing it on her since she was five. Aren’t you tired of it yet?”
He showed no restraint, striking her with words as merciless as a slap. In a single sentence, he exposed nearly 20 years of
Sydney’s life.
Sydney had never been allowed to resist or weep. Only silence and obedience had spared her punishments that could have
broken her.
A flicker of unease crossed Charlotte’s face. She had not realized Julian and Eloise stood on such hostile ground.
“Your grandmother surely has her reasons,” she offered weakly.
Julian clicked his tongue and berated her impatiently, “This is the Sterling family’s New Year’s dinner. Why are you even here?”
He spared no one, cutting down every supposed tie ruthlessly. With one line, he dismissed Charlotte entirely.
Eloise’s expression soured as she had no graceful way to retreat. Just as the air threatened to snap, a cousin’s child burst into tears. The adults seized on the distraction, smoothing things over as if nothing had happened.
Not long after, a few younger cousins drifted to Julian’s side. For all his coldness toward Victor and Eloise, he could still soften for the children.
When the feast began, three full tables crowded the dining hall. The room’s generous size kept the gathering from feeling
cramped.
After the clash, Eloise held her tongue, and Sydney kept her head down, quietly eating.
Between the clink of glasses and polite laughter, the evening even managed a fragile harmony.
By the time the dishes cleared and the family rose from the tables, night had fallen completely.
As always, Jason had prepared fireworks for the children. The crowd spilled into the courtyard, and sparks soon lit the sky.
Just as Sydney was about to slip away, Eloise called her back. “Syd, go upstairs to the study and fetch the gift I set aside.”
“Sure.”
Every year, the Sterlings exchanged gifts twice-once on New Year’s Eve, again on New Year’s morning. It was not about money but about ceremony.
Jason had already drawn Caleb aside to discuss a project, leaving Sydney to climb the stairs alone. On the way to the study, she passed a small balcony. From the shadows, a hand seized her and yanked her inside.
Sydney gasped, but before she could cry out, warm lips claimed hers. The winter night carried his familiar scent. Outside, fireworks exploded one after another, masking the sound of Julian’s kiss.
Yet the courtyard below teemed with people. Anyone glancing up at the wrong moment would see Julian pressing his mouth to
hers.
1/2
Her whole body locked. She tried to push him back, muffling against his lips, “There are so many people downstairs!”
He didn’t let go. His tongue tangled with hers before he growled in her ear, “What did you promise me?”
Her eyes blurred with tears, dazed by the force of his kiss. “What?”
His grip tightened on her shoulder in silent warning. And then she remembered.
“I only kept my distance because, with everyone watching, it would have looked strange otherwise,” she whispered.
In reply, Julian spum her and pinned her against the wall, their bodies pressed together. Heat radiated through the layers of fabric, scorching her skin.
“So this is your punishment,” he murmured against her mouth,
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 190
Chapter 190
Sydney had let Caleb drape an arm around her shoulders in front of everyone. Thus, Julian kissed her in front of everyone.
Downstairs, someone set off a massive firework, but to Sydney, her own pounding heartbeat was louder than any explosion. It felt like it might leap right out of her chest.
Julian pressed her against him so tightly that she had nowhere left to retreat.
“I told you, he’s not allowed to touch you.” His voice was muffled, almost sulky, like a child that was clinging to candy and unwilling to let go.
Sydney managed a weak, breathless protest through his kiss. “Through clothes doesn’t count as touching.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Julian countered.
“Wow!”
A shriek from below made Sydney flinch. She clutched Julian instinctively and buried her face against his chest.
“Look at that firework! It’s so pretty!”
‘Ah, so they were talking about the fireworks…’ she thought in embarrassment.
Sydney drew a shaky breath, yet her heart was still racing. When she looked up, she found herself staring straight into the brightness of his eyes.
“You’re only allowed to hold me like this. Do you hear?”
“I hear,” she whispered.
He tilted his head lazily and feigned deafness. His eyes were half-lidded as he studied her. “What did you say?”
Terrified that the slightest sound might draw attention from downstairs, Sydney rose on tiptoe, braced against his strong shoulders, and pressed her lips close to his ear. “I said I hear you. Precious will only hold her brother like this. She’s only ever
held her brother like this.”
Julian froze for a heartbeat.
Seizing the moment, Sydney slipped from his grasp and fled.
Julian watched her dart away, swept slowly his tongue over his lips, and smirked.
Of course she knew what he liked to hear. His Precious was the cleverest girl in the world.
Sydney entered the study and immediately noticed the pile of gifts on the desk, each tied with a neat ribbon. She gathered them up, ready to leave, when Victor suddenly appeared in the doorway.
She had deliberately avoided him all night, sitting at a different table during dinner. With Caleb by her side, Victor had not dared act out, but he clearly knew how to pick his moments.
Seeing her instinctively step back, he grinned. “Are you so scared of me?”
“It’s not fear.” Sydney’s gaze was icy. “I just prefer to stay far away from people who can’t decide whether they’re men or
women.”
“Sydney!” Victor’s tongue darted over his teeth as his eyes roamed brazenly over her. “Don’t worry, I’ve got plenty of ways to make you feel good. How about I give you a taste right now?”
A cold, low voice echoed.
1/2
Sydney was startled as she realized that Julian had never left. He had been standing on the balcony the whole time.
Ever since Julian had crippled him, Victor’s fear had only grown. He spun toward the voice, stammering, “C-Cuz, what are you doing here?”
Julian stepped forward. “If I weren’t here, how would I make you feel good?”
“C-Cuz, I was wrong, I was just joking with Sydney…” The memory of that brutal kick still haunted him. Even now, his legs
trembled.
Julian tilted his head thoughtfully. “Still want to feel good?”
“N-No. No, I don’t…” Victor dared not rely on Eloise’s protection here at the family estate to defy Julian. He hated Julian, but he
feared him more.
Julian cast a sidelong glance at Sydney. “You still standing there? Enjoying the show?”
Clutching the gifts, Sydney hurried downstairs.
By the time she and Caleb left the Sterling estate, it was nearly 10:00 p.m.
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 191
Chapter 191
There were many out-of-towners in Jouleston, but the roads lay nearly empty and the traffic was sparse at this hour. Still, the car’s route gradually felt wrong. They were heading toward Viridian Garden.
Sydney glanced at the driver. “Jack, just take me back to Aurum Road.”
“Ms. Wilson…” Jack hesitated, his eyes flicking to Caleb in the rearview mirror.
She had assumed it was Jack’s mistake. Now she realized it was Caleb’s doing.
Circling back to the same issue over and over left her drained. “I’m not going back to Viridian Garden anytime soon.”
“Syd,” Caleb said gently, turning toward her, “let’s spend the New Year together. After the holiday, if you still haven’t changed your mind, I’ll send you back to Aurum Road.”
“When have we ever spent New Year together?” Sydney’s gaze sharpened on him, her voice cool. “Every year, you were at the Hampton estate. At Viridian Garden, it was just me. Oh wait-me and Kelly.”
She had endured it then. But now? Did he really think she would follow him at a snap of his fingers? Life didn’t work that way.
Caleb knew he was in the wrong. He opened his mouth, but his phone rang before he could speak. Checking the caller ID, he answered. “What is it?”
“Mr. Hampton,” Gordon’s voice carried unease. “Penelope escaped. I thought one person on duty would suffice for New Year. She faked stomach pain, and while we were off guard, she knocked our man unconscious and ran.”
Caleb’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Then why aren’t you looking for her? Send more people. No matter what, bring her back.”
Sydney couldn’t hear the details. She could only see that his expression had darkened like a storm about to break.
Someone was missing. But who?
When he hung up, Caleb checked the time and glanced at Sydney. “I’ll drop you at Haven first. Something urgent came up.”
Haven was closer than Viridian Garden.
“Alright,” Sydney said, exhaling lightly. “If you’re in a rush, I can grab a cab.”
“No need. I’ll take you first,” Caleb insisted.
She didn’t argue, though she felt the car pick up speed noticeably.
When they arrived at Haven, she stepped out. The black Maybach vanished into the night. The cold wind bit, and she tightened her coat before heading into the complex.
She was almost at her building when a shadow lunged from the greenery, and her legs went weak with fright. Under the dim yellow streetlight, a woman emerged. Her hair was wild, her presence unnerving.
1/2
It was Penelope. She now looked nearly deranged. Just yesterday, she was polished and radiant.
Sydney stared in shock. “What on earth happened to you?”
Even if Caleb had truly severed ties with her, she was still the Hampton family’s daughter-in-law. Hardly anyone in Jouleston would dare touch her.
Penelope let out a chilling laugh, her eyes fixed on Sydney with eerie intensity.
The more Penelope looked, the more Sydney’s face merged with the memory of that filthy little brat from the orphanage.
Suddenly, Penelope lunged, clawing at Sydney’s collar with reckless abandon.
Sydney had expected a fight, but not to have her clothes ripped. “Penelope, what are you doing?!”
In the struggle, the streetlight caught Sydney’s shoulder for a fleeting moment.
‘There it is! The butterfly-shaped birthmark!’ Penelope thought. ‘It’s really her. She’s really that wretched little brat.’
Today’s Bonus Offer
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 192
Chapter 192
When Sydney first arrived at the orphanage, it was summer. She wore a delicate princess dress with thin straps. The other children’s birthmarks were always unsightly-large, irregular moles or oddly shaped blemishes.
Only hers was different. On her shoulder lay a pale pink, butterfly-shaped mark. It was beautiful, as if the universe itself had blessed her. Even a birthmark could become her ornament.
Back then, Penelope had destroyed everything Sydney had. She had hated her so fiercely that she had wished she could carve that very birthmark from Sydney’s skin.
Sydney tugged her clothes back into place and glared at Penelope. “What are you doing here, showing up in the middle of the night acting insane?”
“It’s you!” Penelope’s bloodshot eyes burned with raw, nearly deranged jealousy and resentment. “It really is you. It’s truly you! Why is it you?!”
Penelope could not comprehend it. Why did every good thing in the world orbit Sydney? She was born into a good family, both parents were police officers, and she was raised like a little princess.
Even when adopted by their enemies, she had Julian protecting her for nine years, still holding her in the palm of his hand. Later, she married Caleb just as she wished and even entered an important research project.
Now, she was still married to Caleb yet secretly having an affair with Julian. The great Sterling heir was reduced to playing the role of a hidden lover for her. These two were the most outstanding men in Jouleston, yet there was only Sydney in their eyes.
Penelope did not even dare imagine the height of Sydney’s fortune. If Caleb learned that Sydney had once been that wretched little orphan, she would be elevated as if the universe itself had smiled upon her.
Sydney could hardly imagine anyone envying her so intensely. Her parents had been police officers, but she had spent most of her childhood eating at neighbors’ houses while her parents devoted themselves entirely to work.
After being taken in by Eloise, she had suffered beatings, scoldings, and kneeling punishments. After Julian abandoned her, the following eight years had been even harsher. And then there was her marriage to Caleb.
Yet Sydney understood exactly what Penelope was implying. Her expression remained cool. “Yes, it’s me. I never sought you out, yet here you are coming after me?”
When she first realized that Penelope had bullied her at the orphanage, she had thought about seeking justice for her younger self. But she had decided it was not worth the effort. Her lab project kept her busy, and she would not waste her energy entangled in such nonsense.
She had never expected Penelope to actually confront her.
The moment Sydney admitted it, Penelope’s eyes nearly split with fury. She lunged, but Sydney dodged.
Losing control, Penelope screamed, “Why must you always go against me? You already have so much! Can’t you just give Cal to me?!”
Sydney truly thought she was deranged. “Am I going against you or are you the one intent on being a mistress? Penelope, if you want to lose your mind, do it in a psychiatric hospital!”
1/2
She turned on her heel, ready to enter the building.
Penelope chased after her with a grotesque grin. “I’m the mistress? If I hadn’t married Lucas, he would have married me! There would have been no place for you at all!”
“But you didn’t marry him, did you?” Sydney regarded her irrational state. “Penelope, I don’t know what went wrong between you and Caleb. But if you have issues, take them to him. I’m not part of your little play.”
Sydney had noticed yesterday that Caleb’s attitude toward Penelope had changed. But she had not realized things had crumbled so badly that Penelope would come all the way to confront her.
It was almost laughable. She, the legal wife, was now expected to mediate the quarrels between the mistress and her husband.
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 193
Chapter 193
Penelope grabbed Sydney’s arm. “You’re not allowed to leave! Call Caleb right now! Tell him you cheated, that you’re divorcing him!”
Sydney was utterly speechless. She was just about to respond when she saw Gordon leading a group of bodyguards rushing toward them.
Caleb was in the middle, his stride sharp and steady, moving with a controlled authority that left no room for
hesitation.
Sydney glanced at Penelope, then lifted her chin slightly toward the approaching group. “No need for me to call.
He’s here.”
Penelope turned and saw Caleb’s entourage closing in. Fear flickered in her eyes, and she instinctively tried to
run.
Gordon, faster and more precise, blocked her escape, his men fanning out to trap her.
Caleb strode up, his face easing slightly when he looked at Sydney. His voice was gentle, almost disarming. “She didn’t hurt you, did she?”
“No.” Sydney shook her head. “You’re here for her, aren’t you?”
She realized the phone call Caleb had received in the car earlier must have been about Penelope-the runaway.
Caleb’s eyes flickered, but he did not deny it.
Sydney nodded. “Then you two talk. I’m going home.”
Penelope panicked. Ignoring Gordon’s firm restraint, she lunged toward Sydney. “Sydney! Sydney! Save me! He’s taking me back! If I go, I’ll die!”
Sydney acted as if she hadn’t heard a word and stepped into the apartment building. She had no interest in entangling herself in their mess. She had never claimed to be a saint.
Penelope had colluded with Victor, nearly ruining Sydney’s reputation and even landing Tiffany in detention. And that was not the only time-there had been countless incidents in the past.
Sydney had no intention of playing the merciful savior. Her compassion had limits.
Penelope watched her walk away in disbelief, then turned to Caleb, desperation written across her face. “She left me to die without blinking! Do you still think she’s some kind, gentle person?”
She could not understand it. Why did everyone see Sydney as obedient and sweet when she was clearly so cold- blooded?
Caleb grabbed her chin, his voice low and sharp. “What are you doing here? Did you want to hurt her?”
“I didn’t…” Penelope stammered, trembling under his intense gaze. “I just wanted to know… What does she have that I don’t? You clearly love someone else, yet you refuse to divorce her.”
1/2
Caleb’s eyes turned icy. “That’s what you’re curious about?”
“Y-Yes.” Penelope nodded frantically, ignoring the sharp pain in her jaw. She was terrified that he would see through her lie.
Caleb shoved her away like she was nothing and scoffed. “You? You think you’re even worthy of being compared
to her?”
Without waiting for her reaction, he raised a hand slightly and walked off.
Gordon immediately understood and ordered his men to seize Penelope and escort her into the car. They drove straight to the suburban villa.
The night sky was pitch black. Most villas on the outskirts were merely investment properties. At this late hour, the streets were deserted, the neighborhood eerie.
A line of black luxury cars stopped in perfect synchronization.
Penelope was dragged out of the vehicle and realized with horror that it was the same villa where she had been tormented until she was barely human.
Terror surged through her. She struggled frantically, rushing to Caleb with desperate pleas. “I was wrong, I was wrong! I shouldn’t have impersonated her! Please, let me go, alright?”
Caleb’s voice was frigid, cutting through her panic. “If I let you go, who will make it right for her?”
If Penelope had not impersonated Precious all these years, the latter might have been found long ago.
At the mention of Sydney, Penelope’s teeth clenched with bitter hatred.
“But she’s living just fine now!” she blurted.
Today’s Bonus Offer
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 194
Chapter 194
At her words, Caleb’s expression faltered. “What did you say? You know where she is?”
“How could I?” Penelope replied flatly. “That drug lord hasn’t even been released from prison yet. How could she not be living well?”
Suspicion flickered in Caleb’s eyes as he stared at her. “You’d better hope she’s living well. Otherwise, I’ll make you suffer a hundred times worse.”
He raised his hand slightly and ordered Gordon, “Lock her up. At all times, there must be at least three people watching her.”
“Yes, sir.” Gordon answered crisply, grabbing Penelope and dragging her back toward the basement.
Suddenly, a luxury car screeched to a halt at the entrance.
Adeline got out quickly and strode up to Caleb. “Are you insane? She’s your sister-in-law! How much further are you planning to torture her?”
“Mom, don’t you think that you’re meddling a little too much?” Caleb said, his voice calm but cold
Adeline knew her son’s temperament. She could not confront him head-on, so she softened her tone. “Think about Timmy. Your brother just passed away not long ago. Can you really bear to let Timmy lose his father and then hardly ever see his mother?”
For an instant, Caleb’s brows loosened.
Adeline pressed the advantage. “No matter what wrongs Penelope has committed, she’s still your nephew’s biological mother. Just take it as doing it for your brother’s sake, alright?”
The brotherly bond between Caleb and Lucas had always been strong. The brothers had none of the usual wealthy-family strife over inheritance or power. Lucas never cared for business and never fought or vied for it.
Back then, when Penelope had turned around and insisted on marrying Lucas, Caleb had stayed silent, quietly keeping his distance while guarding them from afar. He had had a very good elder brother.
Caleb hesitated for a moment, then finally frowned slightly. “I’ll let her go this once. But you’d better keep her in check. Don’t let her stir up trouble again.”
Penelope could not help but breathe a long sigh of relief. The moment Gordon released her, she collapsed onto the ground in exhaustion. Even after Caleb led his men away, her heart still pounded with terror. Fortunately, she had gambled correctly.
Adeline made no move to help her up. She only stood at a distance and said coldly, “Speak. You claimed you had something about Caleb to tell me. What is it?”
An hour earlier, she had received Penelope’s message. At first, she had not taken it seriously, not even planning to come. She had long been dissatisfied with Penelope. That woman had seduced both of her sons. One had ended up dead, and the other’s reputation was ruined.
And with a mother like Penelope, Timmy would only grow up spoiled and crooked. It was better to let Caleb deal
1/2
with her however he pleased. Adeline would have been glad if Penelope vanished from the face of the earth.
But Penelope had promised that what she knew was very important, something about Caleb. Hence, Adeline had
come.
Penelope herself had not been sure if Adeline would really show up. Compared to Sydney, she had been entangled with this mother-in-law far longer. Adeline’s kindness and amiability were nothing but a facade.
The scandal of her entanglement with her husband’s younger brother was already enough for Adeline to want her torn into pieces. Why would she willingly come to her rescue?
Steadying her breathing, Penelope leaned against the wall and struggled to her feet. Her eyes glinted darkly. “Do you know why Caleb was always so good to me before?”
That question struck Adeline’s sorest spot. It was bad enough that Penelope had seduced her brother-in-law- now she dared bring it up to her face.
Adeline’s brow furrowed tightly. “Isn’t it because you’re shameless enough?”
What man could resist a woman who threw herself at him without restraint? Yet Adeline had never thought her youngest son would truly lack such principles. She had always believed Caleb to be a self-disciplined, courteous, well-bred gentleman. The only explanation was that Penelope was simply too brazen, too shameless.
Penelope did not get angry. Instead, she smiled faintly. “Do you remember that car accident back then? The one that killed your husband and landed you in the hospital in Brimcrest City?”
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 195
Chapter 195
Naturally, Adeline remembered that day vividly. The car accident had taken the most important man in her life. Afterward, she had never considered marrying again. At the mere mention of it, grief flickered in her eyes.
“Why are you bringing this up?” she asked.
Penelope pressed, “You must remember, don’t you?”
“Of course I remember.”
“Then do you remember the police officer and the little girl who saved you and Caleb that day?” Penelope asked again.
“I remember.”
In Adeline’s memory, the little girl had been bright and sunny, like a well-tended sunflower. She radiated warmth and charm. If circumstances had been less chaotic, Adeline might even have suggested a childhood betrothal between Caleb and that girl.
A family of police officers-modest, perhaps, but upright and respectable. And the girl herself was so sweet and endearing. Paired with Caleb, she could have been the perfect match.
Adeline frowned at Penelope. “What exactly are you getting at? What does this have to do with Caleb?”
“Caleb has been searching for that little girl who saved you both. He thought I was her,” Penelope said, her voice tinged with bitterness. “That’s why he treated me so well.”
Adeline let out a short, derisive laugh, her eyes sharp with contempt. “So that’s it. I wondered how Caleb could have been so taken with you. It turns out it wasn’t you at all!”
It felt vile, impersonating someone else like that.
“I didn’t steal anything!” Penelope snapped. “If I had been the one to stumble on that accident, I would have saved you too! I just didn’t have Sydney’s luck!”
She had no policeman father, no fortuitous encounter with a wealthy family’s crash. That kind of setup was pure fiction, a heroine’s fate. If it had been her, she would have rushed in at the sight of a luxury car, eager for the grand reward from the rich.
Sydney had simply been luckier than her.
Adeline’s expression stiffened. After a pause, she asked, “Sydney? Are you saying the little girl who saved us back then was Sydney?”
“That’s right.” Penelope read the realization in her eyes. “Sydney is that girl.”
“Impossible!” Adeline’s gaze sharpened. “You’re lying. What are you really after, trying to manipulate me like this?”
“Whether I’m lying or not, you can find out yourself,” Penelope said with unhurried certainty. “But Caleb is already looking into it. You’d better act fast.”
1/2
Adeline studied her. Penelope didn’t look like she was lying, and that uncertainty made Adeline falter.
Back then, when she had been rushed from the crash site to the hospital, the doctors had said that if she had arrived even a moment later, she wouldn’t have survived. That little girl had truly saved her life.
‘But if it’s Sydney…’
Penelope caught the flicker of doubt in her expression and struck while the iron was hot. “You’re not seriously thinking of being kind to Sydney because of that, are you? She’s always been at odds with you. Once Caleb finds out she was that little girl, he’ll only ever listen to her.”
Adeline’s eyes narrowed. “What exactly are you proposing?”
Penelope did not hesitate. “Help me connect with the Sterling estate.”
Earlier today, she had already pieced it together. If Sydney really was that orphanage girl, then the Sterling family who had taken her in was likely the same family that had adopted her back then-and they hated Sydney
too.
‘The enemy of my enemy can be my ally. Sydney, you’ve driven me into this corner. Don’t blame me for what comes next,’ Penelope thought darkly.
Today’s Bonus Offer
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 196
Chapter 196
This New Year’s was the most relaxed Sydney had enjoyed in a long time. It felt like a rare blessing to pass the holiday safe and sound.
For two or three days straight, nothing stirred across the hall. She and Tiffany stayed home, each absorbed in her own work. The coffee table lay buried under pages of research notes, while the desk was crowded with case
files.
That afternoon, just as Sydney accepted the cup of coffee Tiffany handed her, the phone lying face down on the table buzzed. She picked it up, glanced at the screen, and answered.
“Hey, Bruce. What’s up?”
On the other end, Bruce teased, “Syd, New Year’s has passed and you didn’t even think to call me?”
Sydney laughed. “I sent everyone a message.”
At midnight on New Year’s Day, she had sent greetings to all her friends, including the handful of male friends she kept closest.
Bruce’s tone softened. “Alright, I won’t tease. What are you up to now?”
“Working at home,” Sydney said honestly.
Bruce chuckled. “Come on, it’s a new year. What are you working for? Bring Tiffany and come hang out with us. I’ll send the location.”
“I’ll pass. You guys have fun,” Sydney replied.
All she wanted was a few quiet days before facing Caleb and sorting out the divorce. The less contact, the better.
Someone’s voice rose faintly in the background before Bruce added, “Cal says if you won’t come on your own, he’ll pick you up.”
Sydney set her coffee cup down. “I’ll go myself.”
If Caleb came for her, he would insist on driving her back too. She preferred to keep that part under her own control.
Bruce burst out laughing, then called over to Caleb, “Look at you trying to win her back. Syd clearly hasn’t forgiven you yet.”
Sydney ignored the jab. After a quick goodbye, she checked the location Bruce sent and turned to Tiffany. “Tiff, Bruce invited us to the Luxon Club. Want to come?”
Tiffany had been out of sorts since returning from her family a few days earlier. Sydney thought an evening out might lift her spirits.
Tiffany wasn’t in the mood, but seeing the hopeful look in Sydney’s eyes, she finally nodded. “Alright.”
Neither of them liked dragging things out. After a quick freshening up, they left.
1/2
Sydney had been to Luxon before. The staff recognized her immediately and led them straight to a private suite.
At the door, the waiter paused, holding it open. “Ms. Wilson, Mr. Wilhelm and Mr. Hampton are inside.”
“Thank you.”
Sydney acknowledged him, but as the door opened she caught sight of the lively group within-and Julian, sitting off in the corner with a cigarette between his lips.
‘He’s here too?’ she thought.
Caleb waved her over warmly. “Syd, come sit.”
Sydney, still holding Tiffany’s hand, was about to step inside when a familiar, pleasant voice came from behind. “Syd?”
Charlotte caught the door before it closed, smiling at her. Then, through the flashing lights, her gaze shifted to Julian.
Sydney faltered for a moment. “Ms. Lindstrom.”
“Syd, don’t call her that,” Bruce cut in, his grin sly as he glanced at Julian. “I heard from my old man during New Year’s that the Sterling and Lindstrom families have a marriage arrangement. Before long, you’ll have to call her ‘sister-in-law’…”
He never finished. Julian’s expression chilled. He plucked the unlit cigarette from his lips, shot Bruce a look that made him seem an idiot, and said flatly, “Whoever made that engagement can marry her.”
The message was clear: he did not recognize it.
Bruce gave a weak laugh. “Wasn’t it your grandmother who arranged it?”
“Then let her marry my grandmother,” Julian replied carelessly.
He snapped the cigarette in half, tossed it into the ashtray, and finally lifted his gaze to Sydney.
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 198
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 198 Summary
In this chapter, Sydney is faced with a question about whether she prefers Julian or Caleb, highlighting the complexity of her relationships with both men. Her honest response—that neither truly matters—elicits laughter but no surprise, given the emotional distance she has experienced from both men over the years. The scene then shifts to a lively card game involving Julian, Caleb, Bruce, Tiffany, and others, where Sydney observes quietly, noting the dynamics between the players, especially the playful exchange between Tiffany and Raymond.
Sydney’s concern for Eliana is revealed through a phone call with Alan, who assures her that Eliana is nearly recovered and that they plan to return home soon. This moment of normalcy contrasts with the tension that follows when Sydney is suddenly pulled into a dark, private room by Julian. His intense and possessive behavior surfaces as he challenges her earlier dismissal of his importance and asserts the terms of their contract, which includes a clause about intimacy.
Despite Sydney’s initial resistance, Julian’s forceful kiss and physical dominance overwhelm her, and she finds herself surrendering to the moment. The chapter ends with a charged atmosphere, emphasizing Sydney’s vulnerability and Julian’s control, setting the stage for the ongoing emotional and power struggles between them.
Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 198
To an outsider, the question might have seemed perfectly normal—no more unusual than asking a child whether they preferred their mother or their father. But Sydney and Julian’s relationship was far from ordinary, which made the question anything but simple.
Still, both Julian and Caleb turned their gazes toward her, just like everyone else in the room, silently waiting for her response.
Sydney gave a faint, almost wistful smile before speaking honestly. “Neither of them really matters that much.”
Her answer sparked a ripple of laughter among the group, though nobody appeared shocked. After all, Julian had walked away from her for eight long years, and Caleb had been distant for three, too wrapped up in Penelope to notice Sydney at all.
It was six of one, half a dozen of the other.
Several more hands were dealt before someone suggested switching to poker. The private room was divided into two sections by a folding screen, which kept the atmosphere lively yet controlled, preventing things from becoming too chaotic.
At one table, Julian, Caleb, Bruce, and Tiffany gathered around, playing cards while Sydney lingered near Tiffany, quietly observing the game.
Someone called out, inviting Raymond to join the other table, but he declined. Instead, he pulled a chair up beside Tiffany.
“I’ll bring you some luck,” he said with a smirk.
Tiffany, ever calm and composed, replied lightly, “Sydney’s luck is enough,” pushing a pile of chips forward to raise the bet.
Raymond raised an eyebrow. “Alright then. If you win, you take the credit. If you lose, I take the blame. Deal?”
Without hesitation, Tiffany nodded. “Deal.”
Sydney made a mental note right then and there: once they got home tonight, she was definitely going to dig into every detail about those two from Tiffany.
After watching the game unfold for a while longer, Sydney excused herself to use the bathroom. On the way, she dialed Alan’s number to check on Eliana.
“Don’t worry,” Alan said, his voice easy and calm. “Eliana’s almost fully recovered. We’re planning to fly back in the next couple of days.”
Sydney blinked, surprised. “So soon? Aren’t you going to stay and enjoy yourselves a bit longer?”
She had assumed they’d remain abroad at least until after the next month.
“No, no,” Alan replied quickly. “It’s boring here. Home is better. Eliana misses it too.”
“Okay,” Sydney said, nodding to herself. “I’ll book the tickets for both of you and pick you up at the airport when you arrive.”
They chatted a little while longer before she ended the call. As she stepped out of the bathroom and scrolled through a flight-booking app on her phone, a large hand suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a nearby private room.
The room was dark and empty, the lights switched off. Before her eyes could adjust to the dimness, a man’s hand closed firmly around her waist, and his voice, low and rough, whispered into her ear. “So I don’t matter at all?”
The breath, the voice—it was unmistakably his.
Sydney pressed her lips into a thin line. “The contract didn’t require that.”
She had learned to use his own words against him, a skill honed over time.
Julian chuckled coldly, then bent down to claim her lips. In the pitch-blackness, Sydney flinched, a sudden prickling of fear running down her spine.
But Julian only tightened his grip and let out a low, guttural sound. “This was in the contract.”
Indeed, the agreement had been explicit: she could not refuse intimacy.
Sydney parted her lips, ready to protest, but before she could utter a word, he swallowed her objections whole with a forceful kiss.
Her body, long accustomed to their close contact, responded instinctively. Blind in the dark, she wrapped her arms around his waist. With the initiative taken from her, all she could do was surrender and let him have whatever he wanted.
As the woman in his arms relaxed, Julian slid his hand beneath her waist and lifted her slightly. His palm brushed over her smooth, delicate skin. He pressed their bodies together, erasing every inch of space between them.
The air thickened with heat, heavy and charged. Yet, it still wasn’t enough. Sydney was too obedient, too inexperienced. She meekly allowed him to kiss and explore, trembling softly under his touch, as if she had never been touched before.
Conclusion
This chapter delicately unravels the complex emotional threads binding Sydney and Julian, revealing the lingering tension beneath their interactions. Sydney’s indifferent response to the question about Julian and Caleb hints at her guarded heart, shaped by years of absence and unspoken feelings. The poker game and light banter provide a brief respite, yet the undercurrents of unresolved desire and control simmer just beneath the surface, embodied in Julian’s sudden, possessive claim over Sydney.
The closing scene, steeped in darkness both literal and metaphorical, encapsulates the fragile balance of power and vulnerability between them. Sydney’s reluctant surrender and Julian’s insistent dominance echo the intricate dance of their relationship—marked by contracts, boundaries, and unvoiced emotions. This chapter leaves us suspended in a moment of charged intimacy, where past wounds and present desires intertwine, setting the stage for the delicate unraveling of their shared story.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled emotions between Sydney and Julian, revealing the complexities that lie beneath their charged interactions. As the boundaries of their contract blur with intimate encounters, the tension between power, control, and vulnerability will intensify, leaving readers eager to uncover how Sydney will navigate this precarious balance. The undercurrents of past grievances and unspoken feelings are poised to surface, setting the stage for an emotional reckoning.
Meanwhile, the dynamics among the wider circle—Caleb, Tiffany, Raymond, and others—hint at shifting alliances and subtle undercurrents that could complicate Sydney’s already fraught situation. With Alan and Eliana’s impending return adding another layer of anticipation, the personal and interpersonal stakes are mounting. Readers will find themselves drawn into the delicate dance of trust and betrayal, wondering who will emerge stronger and who might be left vulnerable in the unfolding drama.
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 199
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 199 Summary
Julian’s hand moved lower along Sydney’s waist, igniting a warm and tense moment between them. Suddenly, Sydney’s panic broke through, and she pushed him away, insisting that this was not the right time or place for such intimacy. Despite her feelings for Julian, she held on to traditional values about their first time being private and safe, not exposed to the risk of interruption or public exposure. Her voice trembled as she firmly decided to retreat to the privacy of her own room.
Julian withdrew his hand reluctantly, sensing her discomfort but clearly craving the thrill of their risky encounter. Sydney hurried away, heart racing, trying to regain composure in the bathroom before retreating to her room. She reflected on how Julian seemed to thrive on danger and reckless passion in public spaces, which complicated her feelings and their arrangement. What she had imagined as a simpler, more intimate connection was far more intense and fraught with tension, leaving her constantly on edge.
Meanwhile, Charlotte witnessed Sydney’s hurried exit from the room, noticing her smeared lipstick and swollen lips from kissing. Shocked, she confronted Julian, demanding to know what was going on between him and Sydney. Charlotte had long desired Julian, the man who seemed unattainable and indifferent to all other women. Seeing his passionate, reckless behavior with Sydney challenged everything she believed about him and stirred a complex mix of emotions in her.
Julian responded coldly and defiantly, refusing to explain himself to Charlotte. His indifferent tone and unshaken confidence only deepened Charlotte’s fascination with him, even as she feared the consequences of their relationship becoming public. She warned him that Sydney was still the girl he had raised as a sister, and that exposure could ruin his reputation, highlighting the high stakes and emotional conflicts swirling between the three characters.
Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 199
Julian’s hand slid down lower along Sydney’s waist, the warmth beneath his fingers unmistakable and slightly damp.
Suddenly, Sydney’s eyes flew open, panic flashing across her face. She pushed him away with urgency. “No!”
Though she had long suspected that eventually they might cross that line, the timing and place were completely wrong. Deep inside, she still clung to some traditional values. Even as someone’s lover, she had dreamed that her first time would be intimate, private, and safe—not exposed to the risk of interruption, not here, where anyone could walk in at any moment.
Her voice quivered with emotion.
Julian withdrew his hand slowly, his tone rough and gravelly, as if scraping against something raw. “Not here?”
She nodded quickly, gripping the cold marble doorknob tightly. “Yeah… I’m going back to the room,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Without waiting for a response, Sydney slipped out, her heart pounding wildly as she hurried to the bathroom. She fixed her smudged lipstick in the mirror, trying to steady her breathing, then rushed back to the privacy of her own room. Even as she closed the door behind her, her pulse refused to calm.
Had she known Julian thrived on danger, on the thrill of reckless passion in public spaces, she might have thought twice before agreeing. Maybe she would have searched for another solution to save Tiffany.
She had imagined something simpler, something less fraught. When Julian needed her, she would be there—quietly warming his bed. He was undeniably attractive, and she wasn’t exactly losing out.
But reality was far more complicated. It wasn’t just about sex. It was about him pressing kisses onto her without warning, in broad daylight, with people around. His hands never stayed still, always exploring, always claiming.
Each time left her on edge, heart pounding, breath caught somewhere in her throat.
Julian’s dark eyes fixated on the door Sydney had just closed. Slowly, his fingers rubbed together, and a faint, crooked smile curved his lips. He knew she was afraid Caleb might notice, so he waited a moment before stepping away.
Just as he took a few steps forward, Charlotte’s voice rang out sharply. “You…”
Her hands clenched tightly, fingers digging into her palms as she struggled to find the right words.
She had just witnessed Sydney rush out of that very room, lipstick smeared, lips swollen and red from kissing.
At first, Charlotte had assumed the quiet, obedient Sydney hid some wild side. What she never expected was that the “wild man” behind it all was Julian.
Julian carried none of the shame or guilt that a man caught with another’s woman might show. His expression remained cold, detached, as he met her gaze. “What about me?”
“You… you and Sydney,” Charlotte stammered, drawing a deep breath as her eyes reddened. “What exactly is going on between you two?”
She couldn’t believe what she’d just seen. This was Julian—the man who could have any woman he desired. She had chased him for years, only to be met with indifference.
As his secretary, she had watched countless women throw themselves at him, and business partners send women to his bed. Yet he had rejected every single one.
The more he refused them, the more Charlotte’s desire for him grew. The higher he rose in her heart, the more she wanted to bring him down from the pedestal she had placed him on.
Sleepless nights were spent wondering, “If he ever truly loved someone, how fiercely devoted would he be?”
She longed to be that woman.
So she never imagined he would fall for Sydney.
The way he had kissed her—leaving her lips swollen and red—proved he had lost control in that room.
Julian didn’t even lift his eyelids. “Give me one good reason why I should explain anything to you.”
His voice was flat, indifferent, as if none of this mattered, as if what he had with Sydney wasn’t enough to shake the very ground beneath them.
And yet, it was precisely this reckless arrogance, this untouchable confidence, that Charlotte found irresistible.
Her lips trembled as she softened her tone. “She’s still the girl you raised as your sister. If this gets out, it could destroy your reputation.”
Conclusion
The chapter delicately captures the tension between desire and restraint, revealing Sydney’s internal struggle as she grapples with her feelings for Julian and her own values. Her retreat to privacy symbolizes her need for emotional safety amidst the whirlwind of passion and uncertainty. Julian’s boldness contrasts with her hesitation, highlighting the complexities of their connection and the unspoken boundaries they navigate. The raw vulnerability in Sydney’s reaction and Julian’s unwavering confidence deepen the emotional resonance, underscoring the fragile balance between love, fear, and societal expectations.
Meanwhile, Charlotte’s confrontation adds another layer of complexity, revealing the undercurrents of jealousy and longing that ripple through their intertwined lives. Her conflicted emotions and sharp observations expose the delicate web of relationships, where desire and loyalty collide. The chapter leaves readers suspended in this charged moment, evoking empathy for each character’s inner turmoil while setting the stage for the inevitable consequences of their choices. It is a poignant exploration of passion’s power to both connect and divide.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled emotions and simmering tensions between Julian, Sydney, and Charlotte. As Charlotte confronts Julian, her vulnerability and conflicted feelings come to the surface, revealing a side of her that has long been hidden beneath her professional facade. Julian’s cold detachment will be tested, and the fragile balance between desire, loyalty, and reputation hangs by a thread.
Sydney’s internal struggle is far from over, and the consequences of their impulsive encounter are bound to ripple through their lives in unexpected ways. The question lingers: how far will each of them go to protect their secrets, and at what cost? As alliances shift and emotions flare, the next chapter will pull readers into a whirlwind of uncertainty and passion, leaving them eager to uncover how these complex relationships will evolve.
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 200
When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 200 Summary
In this chapter, the tension between Julian and Charlotte is palpable as they confront the delicate issue of reputation and secrecy surrounding their relationship. Julian, known as the rebellious and feared grandson of the Sterling family, dismisses the idea that he has a good reputation to lose. Charlotte, concerned about the impact on Sydney’s name, tries to reason with him, but Julian firmly warns her to say no more, revealing his cold and detached nature despite the underlying emotional strain between them.
Later, the scene shifts to a more relaxed atmosphere where Sydney joins a card game with Caleb, Bruce, and Tiffany. Sydney is hesitant and inexperienced, but Caleb encourages her to enjoy the game without pressure. Julian’s casual entrance contrasts sharply with his earlier tense demeanor, and his playful interaction with Sydney adds a layer of complexity to their relationship. His teasing advice during the game and the subtle observation of his red lips by Bruce hint at underlying dynamics that Sydney struggles to hide.
The card game becomes a moment of camaraderie and lightheartedness, breaking the earlier tension. Bruce’s humorous remarks and Julian’s playful banter with him lighten the mood, allowing Sydney to relax and focus on the game. With support from Caleb and the group’s “newbie protection,” Sydney quickly learns and eventually wins the game, much to Tiffany’s dramatic dismay. The chapter ends on a note of relief and amusement, contrasting the earlier emotional intensity.
Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below
Chapter 200
For a brief moment, the atmosphere seemed to freeze, as if time itself had paused.
Julian cast Charlotte a sideways glance, his expression almost amused, as though she had just cracked a joke. “Since when has my reputation ever been anything good?” he asked, voice low and dry.
Within the Sterling family, he was notorious—the rebellious grandson who openly defied his elders. Beyond their walls, people trembled just at the sight of him. What “good reputation” was there that he could possibly lose?
Charlotte found herself momentarily speechless, struggling to respond. “Then what about her reputation? Don’t you care about that at all?” she pressed, her voice tinged with concern.
“I do,” Julian admitted quietly. That was precisely why he had never thought to make their relationship public until Sydney’s divorce was fully settled.
“But if this keeps going on like this,” Charlotte insisted, “sooner or later, her name is going to—”
Julian cut her off sharply, his eyes icy and piercing. “Then you’d better not say another word.”
It was both a warning and a reminder. Julian always carried this detached, frosty demeanor, yet whenever his gaze fixed on her, Charlotte felt her heart tighten painfully.
“I… I understand,” she murmured, her perfectly manicured nails pressing into her palms to steady herself.
Without another word, he turned as if to leave. Charlotte watched his tall silhouette retreat, but despite herself, the question slipped out: “Is this just a fling? Or—”
He didn’t even acknowledge her. His strides remained steady and unbothered. There was no point in explaining anything further. As he had said before, the marriage arrangement meant nothing to him.
Charlotte stood rooted to the spot for a long moment, dazed, before finally shaking herself free and heading back into the private room.
When Sydney returned, Caleb waved her over with a grin. “Come on, let’s play a round.”
“I don’t really know how,” Sydney admitted, a little hesitant.
“That’s okay. Just have fun with it.” Caleb scooted over to make room beside him. “Your husband’s rich. If you lose, you lose.”
Bruce clicked his tongue playfully. “This isn’t poker anymore—it’s basically a live romance drama now.”
Sydney had barely settled into her seat and glanced at her cards when the door swung open once again. Julian walked in casually, exuding an effortless, carefree air that was a stark contrast to the tense man she had seen behind closed doors.
Her eyes flicked involuntarily to his lips, a pang of guilt tightening in her chest. Her hand slipped, accidentally revealing some of her cards on the table.
Tiffany teased with a sly smile, “What, showing your hand before the game even starts?”
Sydney shot her a sharp look, quickly gathering her cards back, while Caleb chuckled beside her. “She’s new at this. Cut her some slack.”
He looked every bit the devoted husband.
Julian’s long legs carried him across the room at a leisurely pace. He stopped behind Sydney and leaned in close, his voice a low murmur. “Raise on the next turn.”
Sydney tilted her head back to glare up at him. “Gentlemen’s rule: spectators don’t get to talk.”
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Julian’s mouth. “I never claimed to be a gentleman,” he replied, his tone thick with implication.
Sydney had no comeback for that, so she turned her attention back to her cards.
Bruce, the seasoned player at the table, played with confident ease while casually fishing for gossip. His eyes flicked to Julian, and suddenly he remarked, “Jules, you keep saying you don’t acknowledge that engagement with Charlotte, but your lips look way redder than when you left earlier.”
Sydney’s grip on her cards tightened so much that her fingertips went numb. Every muscle in her body tensed. She had reapplied her lipstick earlier, but no one else had noticed.
But Julian’s lips—Bruce had seen.
Caleb caught the hesitation flickering across Sydney’s face and smiled encouragingly. “Not sure what to do next?”
“Mm,” Sydney murmured, steadying herself. Following Caleb’s quiet guidance, she called her hand, aiming for a flush.
Julian chuckled and reached over to give Bruce a playful smack on the head. “Why are you staring at my mouth all day? Want a kiss?”
Bruce shuddered, goosebumps rising on his arms. “Bro, we don’t do that here, alright? I’m not into men.”
The awkward tension dissolved into laughter, and Sydney exhaled quietly, relief washing over her.
She was a quick study with a sharp memory. Thanks to the “newbie protection” from the table, she easily won the game.
Tiffany slammed her cards down dramatically in defeat. “Oh my god, what kind of luck is this? Every hand is a big win!”
Conclusion
The chapter delicately explores the intricate dance of emotions and unspoken tensions between the characters, particularly highlighting Julian’s guarded nature and Charlotte’s vulnerability. Their interaction reveals the complexity of their relationship, marked by cautious restraint and underlying feelings that neither fully expresses. Meanwhile, Sydney’s entry into the game and her tentative steps into this new social dynamic add a layer of lightheartedness and subtle intrigue, balancing the heavier emotional undercurrents with moments of camaraderie and gentle teasing.
As the scene closes, the mingling of playful banter and quiet revelations underscores the theme of appearances versus reality—how each character navigates their public personas while wrestling with private uncertainties. The chapter leaves a lingering sense of anticipation, inviting readers to ponder the evolving connections and the delicate boundaries each person maintains, all set against the backdrop of a seemingly simple card game that mirrors the complexities of their lives.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
Next chapter promises to deepen the intricate dynamics simmering beneath the surface of the Sterling family and their circle. Julian’s icy demeanor masks a complexity that Charlotte is only beginning to grasp, and the tension between them is palpable. As Charlotte wrestles with the precarious balance of protecting reputations and navigating her own feelings, readers can expect emotional undercurrents to intensify, revealing more about what truly drives Julian’s cold exterior.
Meanwhile, Sydney’s awkward yet endearing attempt to blend into the world of high-stakes games and social maneuvering offers a fresh perspective on her evolving role. The playful banter around the card table hints at alliances forming and subtle rivalries brewing, with Julian’s presence casting a long shadow over the gathering. The next chapter will likely explore these relationships further, teasing out the complexities of loyalty, trust, and the unspoken rules that govern their interactions, leaving readers eager to see how these threads unravel.
