Chapter 300: Once Doormat Now Untouchable
**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 300** **Chapter 300** Sydney felt the heat rise to her cheeks, a flush igniting her face as a fit of coughing overtook her. The moment she lifted her gaze, it collided with Julian's unwavering stare, his eyes steady and penetrating. In that instant, Julian was acutely aware of the tumultuous thoughts swirling in her mind.
He lowered his gaze just a fraction, his voice measured and deliberate as he asked, "What were you thinking about, to choke like that?" His demeanor was so composed, so impeccably proper, that Sydney found herself questioning her own thoughts. Had she really been the one with the indecorous imagination? With two witnesses seated in the front, the words "I was thinking about how you came too fast" lingered on her lips, but she couldn't bring herself to utter them. Even if Julian could afford to cast aside his dignity, she still clung to hers fiercely.
He seemed far too confident that she wouldn't dare voice such a thought. So she remained silent, knowing that when it came to their verbal duels, he often had the upper hand. As the car finally rolled to a stop in front of Haven, Sydney flung open the door and stepped out, her heart racing with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. Just as she turned toward the entrance, a warm hand enveloped hers, halting her in her tracks. Julian had moved alongside her, his presence both comforting and electrifying. "Didn't we agree to go home and eat together?" he asked, his tone light yet insistent.
"Together," she mused, the word resonating with deeper meaning-side by side, hand in hand, a promise of intimacy that sent shivers down her spine. The warmth of his hand felt like a jolt of electricity coursing through her veins, igniting every nerve ending. Elliot had taken care of the arrangements, ensuring that food from a private restaurant was packed and delivered with impeccable timing. As Sydney lifted a forkful to her lips, she was pleased to find the meal still warm, the flavors bursting with life.
This time, as they finished their meal, Sydney found herself lingering at the table, unwilling to rush away. She placed her utensils down, her gaze shifting to Julian, studying him intently. She observed him longer than she had in the elevator earlier-her scrutiny so intense that her eyes began to sting from dryness. Julian caught her gaze, a knowing look flickering across his face. Relaxed yet curious, he glanced sideways at her. "What, are you possessed tonight?" he teased, a hint of amusement dancing in his voice. "No," Sydney replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
She hesitated, then allowed her fingers to lightly graze over his shirt, tracing the contours of his chest with a deliberate slowness. Julian swallowed hard, an intensity igniting in his dark eyes. "What are you trying to do?" Sydney feigned ignorance, her hand continuing its journey until her fingers brushed against a patch of thickened scar tissue. A sudden pang gripped her heart, as if an invisible fist had tightened around it, squeezing the air from her lungs. She couldn't comprehend why touching that scar brought forth such an overwhelming ache.
Julian's eyes darkened as he realized what she had found. He instinctively reached out, attempting to move her hand away gently, but Sydney was resolute. At that moment, she lifted her head, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, rimmed with red. "At the time, it hurt a lot, didn't it?" Julian struggled to recall the specifics, his mind clouded with the chaos of that time. Pain had been a distant concern; survival had consumed his thoughts entirely. Back then, he had only felt gratitude that Sydney hadn't been by his side in that car.
He reached out, pinching her cheek lightly, trying to steer the conversation away from the painful memories. "Who told you about this?" But Sydney was not to be easily diverted. "Don't change the subject," she insisted, her voice firm. "Precious," Julian said softly, hoping to redirect her focus. "Whether it hurt or not, that was a long time ago. What truly matters now is your drug research. Once the project's done, you can ask me anything you want." Sydney's fingers curled into her palm, a mix of frustration and hope swirling within her.
"You promise?" "When have I ever lied to you?" he replied, sincerity lacing his words. "You already lied to me once," she countered, her mind racing back to that fateful moment. Eight years ago... No, nine now. The first time he broke his word, a wound that never fully healed, she thought bitterly. Julian fell silent, unable to counter her statement. After a pause, he spoke quietly, "There won't be a second time." Sydney opened her mouth as if to respond, but she ultimately let it go. She understood what was paramount at this moment.
All her aspirations and desires would have to be shelved until the project reached its conclusion. Otherwise, she would remain trapped in place, unable to move forward. With a determined shake of her head, she cleared her thoughts and plunged herself back into the lab, the world outside fading away as she focused on her work. ... Finally, after countless hours of tireless effort, the project reached a pivotal milestone-the stage of applying for clinical trials. admin