ir Gifts
Wedding My Ex’s Uncle
Chapter 24 The Dinner
Joanne’s expression stiffened. She quickly reached for Kaia’s hand.
“Kaia, sweetie, let's talk after dinner, okay? It’s already past seven. You must be starving.”
Zane, who had been silent all along, finally chimed in, clearly catching on.
“Right. Let's eat first. Dad, let's get started.”
Lucien stood up, casting a lazy glance toward Kaia’s pale face, then toward Alden’s stiff one.
Alden was terrified she’d say it. If she did, Luna might end up shipped off overseas again.
The rest of the meal was tense and flavorless.
Kaia had saved Joanne sface, but she wasn’t leaving without saying what she cto say.
“Grandpa, Dad, Mom, I'm done. I'm going upstairs.” Luna was the first to set her fork down.
Allen didn’t even look up. “Alright.”
Joanne jumped in, smoothing things over. “Okay, Luna, go on
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Chapter 24 The Dinner
up and rest.”
Then she threw Zane a look.
He got the cue. “Dad, | wanted to talk with you and Lucien about that Houston project.”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
Allen frowned, “You've got to do that now?”
Zane hesitated. “It's urgent, Dad.”
Allen stood, grumbling, but started upstairs. He paused at the steps. “Kaia, keep eating. I'll be right back down.”
Joanne had successfully cleared the room.
Kaia set her utensils down, already guessing Joanne wanted to talk one-on-one.
“Alden, go upstairs and get that box from my closet. Now.”
Alden glanced at Kaia, then turned and left.
Joanne turned back and clasped Kaia’s hand.
“Kaia, I'm sorry for what you've been through. Alden’s an idiot, but you know how long you two have been
together. It's been five years. You've cso far. Don’t let one stupid mistake in
i)
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Chapter 24 The Dinner
“Trust me, once you're married, if he ever messes up again, I'll be the first to smack him. And if | don’t, his
grandfather will. Please forgive him, honey. I've always seen you as his future wife. I'm counting the days till
your wedding.”
Kaia gave a small smile. “Joanne, I'm not marrying him. He didn’t tell you? When we couldn't get the license that
day, | knew | was done.”
Joanne’s smile broke. “Kaia, tellthe truth. Did he do
something bad to you? If he hurt you, I'll make it right. But the wedding’s just around the corner. You can’t say
something like this now.”
Kaia laughed bitterly inside.
Right, all about what's convenient for her son.
She took a breath and continued, “Joanne, I've spent five years convincing myself he loved me, but I still can’t
feel it.
“I remember every single thing he liked, even his favorite colors. | followed him everywhere, thinking | was
special because he lettag along. | thought he finally lovedback.
“But you can’t fake real love. When he’s with her, he remembers everything without even trying. He notices
every little thing.
“No one has to remind him. He never forgets anything abo her. But with me? He couldn't even remember the
day we were
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Chapter 24 The Dinner
supposed to get our marriage license.”
(*)
12 min left
Kaia met her gaze squarely. “| can't
commit to a marriage WithQUEIQYE:
I'm not {heindefia (oho can play
pFetehd forever. So, tell me, shouldn't
| walk away?” The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
That landed hard. Joanne opened her mouth, but all that cout was a sigh.
“You're right. It’s Alden’s fault. You've done nothing wrong. It's my fault | didn’t raise him better.”
She gave Kaia's hand a firm squeeze.
“But Kaia, please... ju [gveuexlitte
ore old. I'm
afraid he won't take the shock well.
“Look, you can forget about the
license for now. Just go throug Rrwyith
the ceremeny ptesne) you can tell
hlimlit didn’t work out. How's that
sound?” The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
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